When a dentist examines your teeth, they are not just looking for cavities or plaque. To a professional, your mouth can be a window to the health of the rest of your body as well. Symptoms of various bodily issues will surface in the mouth, and your dentist can detect their onsets early. Here is what your mouth can say about you:
Stress Level
If you are feeling depressed, anxious or stressed, it can poorly affect your oral health. High stress levels can lead to teeth grinding, which the dentist can easily identify. People suffering from depression are less likely to take care of their teeth, and their hygiene may suffer because of it.
Osteoporosis
A disease that causes brittle bones, osteoporosis affects all the bones of the body including the jaw. Damage to the jawbone can lead to tooth loss and severe gum infections. Early detection of these problems can lead to better medication for the patient earlier on.
Anemia
If you are suffering from anemia the first symptoms can arise in your mouth. An anemic mouth is pale and sore, and the tongue is smooth and swollen. The lack of red blood cells from the anemia causes these reactions in your mouth.
Improper Medication
A harsh side effect of being overly or improperly medicated is having an intensely dry mouth. Antidepressants, antihistamines, painkillers and decongestants are among some of the meds that can cause a dry mouth.
Acid Reflux
Dentists may catch the early signs of an acid reflux disease by assessing the acid damage to your teeth. The acid from your stomach will erode the enamel on you teeth leaving visible stains.
Cancer
Although not every white or red lesion is oral cancer, these lesions can show up in the mouth, usually on the side or the back of the tongue, as a result of cancer. A regular dentist visit could diagnose this in the early stages.
Crohn’s Disease
People suffering from the inflammatory bowl disease Crohn’s disease often develop swollen lips and ulcers in their mouth before the abdominal symptoms appear.
