Dentists can discover serious health problems

When you have a dentist appointment, you may only be thinking about the health of your teeth. However, your dentist knows that many health problems can affect your teeth and gums as well.

“People think we’re only looking at teeth,” says Gigi Meinecke, DMD, spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry and a dentist in private practice in Potomac, Maryland. “But typically we’re looking at all of the soft tissues in the mouth.”

This access can allow dentists to identify a number of surprising conditions—from diabetes to GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)—possibly before you or your doctor are aware of them. Here are the most common diseases your dentist might be able to detect. (Here are the 13 things every dentist wants you to know before your next appointment.)

