7 Things Dentists Can Reveal About Your Health
What does it mean if the gums are light pink or even white? Why do I have red spots in my mouth or abscesses and growths?
Did you know that the mouth is the window to the body? It shows if you are pregnant, stressed, have diabetes or cancer. Among many other things.
If you want to stay in good health and live a long time, then make sure to visit the dentist regularly
Not many people know that oral health, especially gums, has a major impact on your overall health. When the dentist examines the teeth, it is not just holes they are looking for – there is much more than caries they can see. Among other things, they look for signs of cancer in the oral cavity but also less obvious health complications.
Can be seen on the gums
Medical conditions are more likely to show up in the gums and mouth than in the teeth themselves, and ignoring this and not flossing can lead to quite major dental problems. Unfortunately, it is quite common for many people to ignore their gum problems:
Many suffer from problems
According to businessinsider.com, almost 50 percent of adults have some form of gum problem, which is the major cause of tooth loss but also a sign of other health problems.
Going to the dentist regularly can make it easier to find and treat conditions that affect other parts of the body as well.
Here are seven things a dentist can discover by looking in your mouth:
1. Pregnancy – small red growths on the gums
Small red growths on the gums and between the teeth, often called pregnancy tumors, appear in about 5% of pregnant women. They are not dangerous, but can cause increased sensitivity in the mouth, which means that some people need extra dental care during pregnancy.
2. Anemia – light pink or white gums
Light pink gums can be a sign of anemia. When people have iron deficiency, the gums can lose their normal red color and become pink or even white.
3. Dry mouth
Many antidepressants can cause dry mouth, which in turn can lead to caries. SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft often have this effect. Some people experience a reduced flow of saliva, and saliva is needed as a protective agent for the teeth. Attentive dentists can recommend sprays, saliva substitutes or anything else to protect your teeth. However, some antihistamines, which are often used to treat allergies, can also cause dry mouth.
4. Stress and anxiety – gum problems
During his medical graduation, he often receives a stream of patients complaining of sensitive gums and sensitive teeth.
Increased stress and anxiety can trigger gum problems, as you are then more likely to neglect your oral hygiene and probably have an increased amount of stress hormones such as cortisol in the body. Higher levels of cortisol can cause inflammation and make it harder for the body to fight infections. These stress hormones and inflammation can also lead to gum disease, which can cause both tooth and bone loss.
5. Diabetes – abscesses at the tooth root
Recurrent infections called abscesses at the root of the tooth or in the gums between the teeth are a common side effect of diabetes. The dentist may be the first to detect diabetes because these infections, which can be painful, can cause one to see a dentist.
Healthy people can also develop boils, but people with diabetes have an increased risk. If you have problems managing your blood sugar, you are extra sensitive to infections, and the inflammation caused by boils can in turn make it more difficult to control your blood sugar. This interaction can create a vicious circle.
6. Crohn’s disease – red spots in the mouth
Lichen planus, another condition that seems to be linked to the immune system, often shows up as sores on the skin and white spots in the mouth. These spots can be sore and painful and lead to cold sores. The stains themselves usually go away with treatment.