• 1/11/2006
  • Gaylord, MI
  • Mary Jergenson
  • Gaylord Herald Times (www.gaylordheraldtimes.com)

Having a dental exam every six months is not just a good idea, it can save your life, according the Dr. Margo Forsyth of Forsyth Family Dentistry in Gaylord. Dentists are able to diagnose more than gingivitis and tooth decay when they look into your mouth because periodontal disease may be an indicator of hormonal changes, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and even cancer.

“When we see bleeding gums, we look for an underlying cause, such as a change of habits, or medications,” Forsyth explained. “A hormone change such as puberty, pregnancy or menopause can cause gums to bleed.”

Conditions such as bulimia, acid reflux and meth amphetamine use cause breakdown in tooth enamel leading to tooth decay. Another leading cause of decay is regular pop consumption. “Mountain Dew is the worst, but all soft drinks can lead to tooth decay,” Forsyth said.

Certain conditions such as sore throats, mononucleosis, and even HIV have certain telltale symptoms which can be discovered during an oral exam, according to Forsyth, who noted the presence of white or red spots (lesions) on the tongue, lip or gum, or a cold sore that won’t heal often indicate a more serious health condition.

“During a routine check-up I noticed a small white lesion on the throat of a patient who I knew to be a smoker. We immediately sent him to his doctor for a biopsy,” related Forsyth. Though, in this case the biopsy showed no sign of cancer, early detection might have made the difference in her patient’s life.

“I’ve diagnosed three cases of oral cancer in 25 years in practice,” she said. “That is three too many. Oral cancer is not painful and is often undetected until it is too late.”

The American Dental Association (ADA) has documentation indicating a spike in the occurrence of oral cancer in the United States. “They can’t pinpoint why the rate has increased,” Forsyth said. “Perhaps it is lifestyle in general.” She indicated smoking and chewing tobacco are still the leading cause of oral cancer.

The ADA has also linked gum disease and tooth loss to a risk of antherosclerosis and other cardiovascular disease. One ADA study suggests tooth decay may be a stronger indicator of the disease than high cholesterol and triglyceride tests since bacteria which cause the ailments in the mouth are also found in cardiovascular plaque. The report states, “Though doctors don’t know how or even whether the bacteria travel from one site to the other, one theory is that mouth bacteria enter the bloodstream directly through the inflamed gum tissue.” The ADA recommends the best way to combat the problem is twice-daily brushing and flossing.

Forsyth recommends having an oral exam twice a year, more frequently for those with a history of periodontal disease. She also suggests X-rays once a year and full mouth X-rays every three years. “During a routine exam, I spotted something unusual on an X-ray. After doing full mouth X-ray we found a very large cyst in the patient’s jaw,” Forsyth recalled. If undetected, the cyst would have continued to grow, eating away at the bone and eventually causing head and jaw pain, and nerve impingement.”