Emergency dentistry patients looking to prevent the need for more treatment should adopt an effective dental health routine to prevent wider health issues.

A number of studies conducted in the past have found that oral health issues, such as gum disease and decay, could lead to the development of more serious illnesses.

Inflammation of the gums has been linked to a number of conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and stroke, therefore it is vital to ensure the tissue remains healthy.

This view is echoed by Dr Peter Balle, who claimed that looking into a patient's mouth is a good way to detect potentially dangerous illnesses.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal, he revealed that dentists can tell a lot about the overall wellbeing of individuals by carrying out simple oral examinations.

The British Dental Health Foundation recommends that people tell their dentists about changes to their general health, as it may help to prevent the onset of gum disease.