3 Health Factors That You Should Discuss with Your Dentist
July 24, 2025

Your dentist doesn’t just focus on the well-being of your smile; they also care about your overall health. After all, certain medical issues and dental problems can be more closely linked to each other than you might realize! To make sure that your dentist has all the information they need to provide you with truly effective care, be sure to bring up these 3 health factors during your next preventive dental checkup.
1. Any New Medications You’re Currently Taking
Certain medications can potentially affect your mouth in ways that you may not expect. One particularly common side effect is dry mouth, which is a condition where your body isn’t producing enough saliva. This is an issue because saliva plays an important role in washing away harmful bacteria and food particles; thus, a dry mouth can significantly increase your risk for cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues.
Your dentist needs to be aware of any medications you’re taking and the impact they could potentially have on your smile. If you’ve recently been prescribed any new medications, you will definitely want to mention them at your next dental appointment.
2. Diabetes
Did you know that diabetes and gum disease can make each other worse? Diabetes can reduce your blood flow, which ultimately makes it harder for your body to fight an infection in your gums. Conversely, gum disease can make it more difficult to control your blood sugar levels.
It’s important to inform your dentist if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes so that they can take whatever measures are appropriate to protect the overall health of your gums.
3. Jaw Pain and Headaches
Chronic jaw pain and headaches are often related to a problem with the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that connect the lower jaw to the rest of your skull. In many cases, issues in your mouth can contribute to a TMJ disorder. For example, bruxism might be causing you to grind and clench your teeth while you’re asleep, which puts an excessive amount of strain on your TMJs.
In many cases, your dentist can treat your TMJ disorder to help you find lasting relief from your pain. This often involves providing you with a customized nightguard. Wearing this oral appliance while you’re asleep will reduce the impact of nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, thus reducing the pressure that your TMJs are exposed to.
These are just a few examples of health factors that are worth bringing up at a dental appointment. In general, the more information your dentist has about your overall health, the easier it will be for them to develop treatment plans that are truly right for your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Steve W. Cobb is a graduate of Baylor School of Dentistry, and he has well over 45 years of dental experience. His approach to care puts a lot of focus on the connection between oral and overall health; he offers a comprehensive menu of services designed to protect each patient’s smile as well as their overall well-being. If you’re ready to schedule your next dental checkup with Dr. Cobb at his practice in Odessa, visit his website or call (432) 367-4774.
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