Dental Health and Preexisting Conditions Miami, FL
Many people do not realize that the systems of the body are all interrelated. Preexisting conditions can affect dental health and vice versa. A complete health dentist can help you better understand the oral-systemic link and treat your overall health.
Oral-systemic coverage is available at South Florida Dentistry in Miami and the surrounding area. We are proud to offer complete health dentistry for preexisting conditions and more. Call us today at (305) 203-4097 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.
Pre-existing Conditions Affected By Dental Health
Pre-existing conditions are conditions that a person has been diagnosed with before enrolling in a dental health insurance plan. The connection between oral and overall health means that a patient's dental health can affect certain pre-existing medical conditions. Dental issues, such as gum disease and infections in the gums and teeth, can adversely impact people's pre-existing health conditions.
Dental health has a connection to chronic diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. When a person has gum disease, the bacteria can cause their blood sugar level to rise, making diabetes more difficult to control. Poor dental health can also affect people with heart disease since a bacterial infection in the bloodstream can impact the heart valves.
“The connection between oral and overall health means that a patient’s dental health can affect certain pre-existing medical conditions.”
Managing Preexisting Conditions With Complete Health Dentistry
Just as oral health may affect other aspects of a patient's health, certain systemic conditions may also influence a patient's oral health. Neglecting one aspect of one's medical care can easily cause a never-ending cycle of health issues. As such, the very nature of the oral-systemic connection can sometimes necessitate changes to a patient's treatment plan — dental or otherwise. For instance, patients who have had a heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, stroke, or even chest pain (also known as angina) should seek their cardiologists' approval before scheduling any dental treatments.
Once approved, patients should tell their dentists about any heart conditions they have, procedures they have undergone, and medications they are taking to best allow the team to plan for any potential emergencies. This is true regardless of any systemic condition a patient may have. We can only provide optimal care if we know the full extent of our patients' unique medical histories and preexisting conditions. Otherwise, patients may run the risk of further aggravating both their oral and overall health.
“Neglecting one aspect of one’s medical care can easily cause a never-ending cycle of health issues.”
Finding Plans That Cover Pre-existing Conditions
Every dental insurance plan is different. While medical insurance plans have laws that enforce coverage for all conditions, dental insurance does not. Dental insurance aims to help people prevent dental issues from worsening and requiring more extensive and expensive treatment. For this reason, many dental insurance policies have clauses for pre-existing conditions and waiting periods to prevent people from purchasing insurance only when they need expensive treatment.
Although many plans will cover minor pre-existing conditions, such as cavities, some plans may not provide coverage for more serious pre-existing conditions. When looking for a dental insurance plan, people should look carefully at what each provider considers a pre-existing condition. They should also determine if the out-of-pocket expenses will fit into their budget.
“Although many plans will cover minor pre-existing conditions, such as cavities, some plans may not provide coverage for more serious pre-existing conditions.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Health and Preexisting Conditions in Miami, FL
Treatments For Different Conditions
Depending on the patient's conditions and needs, dentists provide various treatments to improve their oral health and overall well-being. In particular, treating tooth decay and gum disease is important to minimize the risk of worsening other systemic health conditions. Treatments of tooth decay and gum disease depend on the severity of the patient's condition.
Some treatment options for tooth decay include:
- Crowns
- Dental fillings
- Fluoride treatments
- Root canals
- Tooth extraction
Gum disease treatment can be surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical options include professional dental cleanings during a routine dental check-up or the deep cleaning treatment, scaling and root planing. Surgical options are available for more serious cases of gum disease, such as pocket reduction surgery, bone grafts, and soft tissue grafts. In other cases, patients may take antibiotic medications to reduce or eliminate the bacteria associated with gum disease.
“Treatments of tooth decay and gum disease depend on the severity of the patient’s condition.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How do preexisting conditions affect dental care?
Q. What pre-existing conditions are affected by dental health?
Q. How to find plans that cover pre-existing conditions?
Q. What are some treatments for different dental conditions?
People Also Ask
Q. How does high blood pressure affect dental treatment?
Q. How can someone find out what procedures their dental insurance covers?
Q. What are some dental health conditions that can form during pregnancy?
Q. What types of devices are used for sleep apnea?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the risk factors associated with gum disease?
A. One of the main risk factors for gum disease is plaque from insufficient oral hygiene. Smoking, tobacco usage, and medications can also contribute to gum disease. People with certain genetic markers, systemic diseases, or a tendency to clench or grind teeth may also have an increased risk of developing gum disease.
Q. What are the symptoms of a cavity?
A. Cavity symptoms will vary depending on their location and their severity. The beginning stages of tooth decay may not cause any symptoms. However, as the decay progresses, people may experience tooth pain, sensitivity, visible holes or pits, tooth discoloration, or pain when biting.
Q. What happens if I do not have a cavity treated?
A. Cavities can lead to various complications, including pain, swelling, chewing issues, and teeth shifting. Without treatment, a cavity can progress into an abscess or a pocket of pus. This infection can spread and even become life-threatening in extreme cases.
Q. What are the symptoms of gum disease?
A. Healthy gums appear pink and fit tightly around teeth. People with gum disease may have red or purplish and swollen gums that bleed easily. Teeth may also appear longer as the gums recede and the periodontal pockets grow in size.
Q. What happens during scaling and root planing?
A. Scaling and root planing treats chronic gum disease. During scaling, we will remove the plaque from teeth and pockets between the teeth and gums. Root planing involves smoothing out the tooth roots to help the gums reattach to teeth.
Scan here to view this page, Dental Health and Preexisting Conditions, on mobile
Dental Terminology
Call Us Today
If you live in the Miami area, call 305-203-4097 for an appointment in our Miami office.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
About our business, and website security
- South Florida Dentistry was established in 1997.
- We accept the following payment methods: American Express, Cash, Check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa
- We serve patients from the following counties: Miami-Dade County
- We serve patients from the following cities: Miami, Doral, Hialeah, Fontainebleau, Hialeah Gardens, Sweetwater, Coral Gables, Kendall, South Miami, Miami Lakes, Miami Gardens, Medley, Westchester and Brickell
- Healthgrades. View Background Information and Reviews
- Norton Safe Web. View Details
- Trend Micro Site Safety Center. View Details
Scan here to open directions to South Florida Dentistry on mobile
Back to top of Dental Health and Preexisting Conditions
Related Posts
How You Can Transform Your Smile With A Cosmetic Dentist
The cosmetic dentist can provide many procedures that can improve your smile. These treatments can correct many dental issues. Understanding how your dentist can enhance your teeth and gums will help you prepare for your upcoming appointment. Here are the ways your cosmetic dentist can transform your smile.This is a field of dentistry that can…
Tips And Advice On How To Make Your Dental Veneers Last Longer
Dental veneers are an investment. Getting these restorations is a significant decision. The permanence of having these shells on your teeth needs commitment. Knowing how to make these restorations last longer can help motivate you to care for them even more. Here are some advice and tips on how to make your dental veneers last…
Dental Veneer Aftercare: Healing After Getting Veneers
Dental veneers are porcelain or composite resin shells that fit over the front of the teeth, correcting cosmetic imperfections. Their average lifespan is about ten years. However, taking care of veneers from the start can help them last up to 20 years. This article will discuss what to expect after getting veneers and provide aftercare…
Explore additional topics covered on our website:
Call Us Today
Scan here to call South Florida Dentistry on mobile