Your mouth has a variety of purposes. You eat, chew, drink, and speak with your mouth. But did you know that your mouth can also reveal a lot more about you than its above mentioned apparent purposes?! Well, yes! Your mouth also holds clues to your overall health.
According to Sally Cram, DDS, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association, there are many things that you can see in the mouth that might give us clues about what is happening inside your body. In fact the condition of your body, your overall health can all be revealed through your mouth.
Symptoms of diabetes, anemia, and various autoimmune diseases can be seen in your mouth. These days, doctors make use of certain professional equipments like the EZFlow Die Cut Membrane discs which are used to retain particles or microorganisms by surface capture. They have a great chemical resistance and are ideal for filtering more aggressive solutions such as alcohols and DMSO used in dental processes. The material highly complies with USP Class VI Standards and FDA compliances. This makes dental procedures highly hygienique and efficient.
Here are 9 things that the inside of your mouth can reveal about you:
1. Diabetic or prediabetic condition
According to dentist Dr. Gary Glassman, ulcers, infections, inflammation of your gums, thrush, bad breath, [and] tooth decay, can all point to diabetes. Probably, your dentist may spot these symptoms before a general practitioner.
There are other signs of diabetes in the mouth your dentist might see too. For instance, people who have diabetes have a higher risk of developing periodontal disease. Cold sores and dry mouth and oral thrush, a fungal yeast infection are also common if you have diabetes.
Webmd suggests that people who have gum disease are more likely to develop diabetes.
2. The risk for stroke, heart attack, or cardiovascular disease
Periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease often are interrelated.
Dr. Glassman states that bacteria from inflammation of the gums can enter the bloodstream and then it can travel to the arteries and the heart and cause atherosclerosis causing the risk for heart attack or stroke.
Inflammation is a common cause of chronic disease and therefore taking care of it, is very important to keep your heart healthier.
3. Sleep apnea
Worn down teeth are actually an indicator of sleep apnea. According to dentist Dr. Jeff Haddad, a lot of people clench and grind to open up their airways as a self-defense mechanism. In such patients, sometimes, one will find ridges on the sides of the tongue. This phenomenon is also called as ‘scalloping’ and is an 80 percent predictor of a sleep apnea problem.
4. Chronic kidney disease
The role of healthy kidneys is to get rid of your body’s waste products. But if the kidneys aren’t working correctly, toxins can build up throughout your body, including your mouth. Your breath, for instance, may smell like urine or even have a sweet odor. Dry mouth is also common.
5. HIV
People with HIV or AIDS are prone to several different mouth problems. One of the more common is oral thrush. This yeast infection also affects people with diabetes. It produces a white layer on your tongue.
Other oral health problems linked with HIV/AIDS include dry mouth, recurrent cold sores, gum disease, and warts from the human papillomavirus (HPV). This is the same virus that can cause cervical and some head and neck cancers.
One of the methods that dentists use is sample filtration to filter the residues on your tongue and in your throat to detect any lesions or strange layer.
6. Autoimmune disease
In autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells instead of threats like viruses or bacteria. Many autoimmune conditions can manifest in the mouth in the form of lesions. One form of this disease is the Sjogren’s syndrome. In people with Sjogren’s, the immune system tends to specifically target moisture-producing glands in the mouth area, causing dry mouth and dry, itchy eyes.
Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus can also show symptoms inside your mouth ranging from painless bumps to painful canker sores, problems swallowing or talking, and changes in taste.
7. Dietary issues
A sudden rise in cavities or tooth erosion can point to malnutrition or an eating disorder. Dr. Jason Goodchild, Premier Dental Director of Clinical Affairs, states that a lack of essential nutrients or a lack of calories can lead to more cavities.
8. Anemia
Anemia is caused due to the lack of enough red blood cells or if they’re not functioning properly. The main symptom of anemia is fatigue. But your dentist may notice you’re losing color in your gums, tongue, and other parts of your mouth.
The most common cause of anemia is iron deficiency, which, in turn, can be the result of heavy periods, chronic diseases, gastric bypass surgery, or vitamin deficiencies.
9. Cancer
Your dentist can find signs of head and neck cancers, including cancers of the mouth and throat.
In the mouth, dentists scan for any red or white spots that are abnormal, any ulcerated areas in the cheeks, lumps, bumps, and swelling that shouldn’t be there.
That is why it is vital to always talk to your dentist about any changes you notice in your mouth.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of head and neck cancer. If you see your dentist twice a year, he or she may be able to trace cancer early when it’s easiest to treat.
Conclusion:
Do not delay visiting your oral health practitioner today because your mouth can reveal a whole lot of stuff to you! Dentists use professional equipment such as ez io needle; therefore there is no need to worry or doubt your doctor.
