While your child’s dentist can detect gum disease and dental decay through an oral examination, he or she may also be able to detect certain illnesses. Oral symptoms may be the earliest indicator of some illnesses, and because of this, it is important that your child see both his or her pediatrician and kids dentist in Gurnee on a regular basis. Here are some oral telltale signs of illness the pediatric dentist may recognize.
Gingival Inflammation
Swollen gums, also known as gingival inflammation, may simply mean that your child has mild gingivitis or periodontal disease. While these conditions are the most common reasons for gingival inflammation, a kids dentist in Gurnee may suspect that your child is severely anemic if he or she has gingival inflammation. Also, if the gums bleed profusely during a probing dental examination, anemia may be even strongly suspected.
While the dentist may suspect that your child has anemia based upon his or her dental examination, your child will need to see the pediatrician for a complete blood count to confirm the diagnosis.
Mucous Membrane Discoloration
Other signs that your child’s dentist may be suspicious of are discolored mucous membranes. For example, if your child’s gums, tongue, or lining of his or her cheeks appear orange or yellow, the dentist may suspect jaundice. This condition often accompanies liver or gallbladder problems, and needs to be evaluated as soon as possible.
To schedule an appointment for a cleaning or checkup, call Excellence in Dentistry, LTD or visit our website.
