Conditions That Require You To See Your Dentist More Often

If you have recently been to the dentist, then you probably know that the oral health professional wants to see you about once every six months for a cleaning. This is common, but there are some situations where you should be seeing your dentist a bit more often than this. Specifically, certain medical conditions make it so that oral care must be attended to a bit more carefully. Keep reading to learn about a few of them and about why oral care is so important.

Pregnancy

If you have recently become pregnant, then you should know that there are quite a few changes that your body will go through. These include changes that involve your mouth. The gums will receive a great deal more blood flow as the body increases its blood volume and heart rate to provide the growing fetus with nutrients. As blood surges through the gums, the tissues are far more likely to bleed. And, when the gums bleed, the small openings in the tissues can swell and sometimes bacteria will cause minor infections.

So, since gum disease and gingivitis are common issues when you are pregnant, it is wise to see a dentist about once every three to four months when you are pregnant. This way, cleanings can be performed to prevent serious oral problems and more advanced treatments can be performed as soon as possible if gingivitis is noted.

Your dentist can also give you some tips on how to thoroughly but gently clean your mouth to reduce the amount of bleeding that you may see.

Compromised Immune System

If you have a compromised immune system or if you have an autoimmune disorder, then you should be seeing your dentist about once every three to four months. Also, if you are taking any immune-suppressing medication, then dental visits should occur on this same schedule as well.

Immune system issues can leave you susceptible to a wide range of oral health issues, including gingivitis, gum disease, abscess formation, dental cavities, mouth sores, and oral thrush.

A dentist will perform cleanings, offer antibiotic and antibacterial treatments when needed, and will also investigate X-ray images to make sure that hidden problems are not developing. Fluoride treatments may also be needed to help strengthen the teeth since some immune medications, like steroids, can lead to softer bones and teeth.

If you want to know more about the medical conditions and illnesses that require you to see your dental professional more often, speak with an oral care professional like those found at Wakim Family Dentistry.