People consult dentists to have their teeth cleaned, get orthodontic treatment or take care of their gum diseases. However, dentists aren't just concerned about your oral health. The mouth is a window to your physical health, and there are lots of diseases that manifest their symptoms on it. Here are just a few examples of diseases that your dentist may spot in your mouth:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is an autoimmune disorder that results in the inflammation of joint linings. It typically starts with the joints of the hands and feet, and then spreads to other areas of the body. The swellings eventually lead to bone loss and joint deformity.

If it affects your facial joints, then the jaw will swell and become very painful. You may find it difficult to open your mouth or operate your jaw joints. Obviously, this is something your dentist will notice during a routine examination.

Diabetes Mellitus

Commonly referred to just as diabetes, it denotes a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar. According to WebMD, diabetes may exhibit itself in your oral cavity. For example, it can lead to increased risk of:

• A dry mouth – decreased saliva flow can cause further problems such as bad breath, soreness and mouth ulcers
• Delayed healing of injured oral tissues
• Increased failure rate of dental interventions such as orthodontics
• Oral thrush due to the high levels of sugar in your saliva

Therefore, if your dentist notices these things in your mouth, then he or she may suspect diabetes and refer you to a primary care physician for a proper diagnosis.

Gastroesophageal Reflux

Just like the name suggests, this is a gastrointestinal disease in which the contents of your stomach find their way back to your esophagus and even mouth. This is the main symptom of the disease, and it is also the one that may exhibit itself in your mouth.

Stomach contents are acidic. As you know, acid erodes teeth enamel, which also increases their risk of decay. Therefore, your dentist may refer you to a gastroenterologist if he or she notices signs of teeth decay in the absence of other possible causative factors.

As you can see, regular consultations with the dentist are important not only for your oral health, but also for your overall well-being. Apart from not missing these apartments, you should also take your dentist's advice seriously and share with him or her other aspects of your health.

Contact a company like Olympia Dental and Implant Center to learn more.