There may be a link between gum disease and stroke, heart disease and pre-term low-birth-weight babies. Poor oral health may also decrease the quality of life for an individual. Problems with the gums or teeth may cause significant pain, thus decreasing the quality of life for that individual. Tooth loss may be a result of many diseases of the mouth, adding cosmetic problems to the list of potential consequences of poor oral health.

Poor oral health may also contribute to the development of oral cancer, a condition which now may cause more deaths than cervical or skin cancer. Problems in the mouth may also lead to certain gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and intestinal failure.

The tissues of the mouth may reflect problems associated with other diseases. Certain disease or conditions may be diagnosed early through oral examinations. Early diagnosis or detection may be the difference between an effective treatment and an ineffective one.

Swollen gums, ulcers in the mouth, dry mouth and other gum problems may be characteristics of problems of the mouth that may be associated with other diseases. These diseases may include diabetes, leukemia, cancer, heart disease and kidney disease.

Visiting a dentist every six months may help to detect any potential problems or diseases in the mouth. Also, providing the dentist with a complete medical and dental history may be helpful in determining any potential problems.

Informing the dentist of other recent medical problems, even those that do not seem to pertain to the mouth, may allow the dentist to provide a more thorough and accurate examination. A dentist or health care professional may be helpful in discussing potential oral health problems and may have further recommendations regarding maintaining oral health.

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