The oral cavity is adversely affected by either an excess or deficiency of thyroid hormone. Childhood hypothyroidism known as cretinism is characterized by thick lips, large protruding tongue (macroglossia), malocclusion and delayed eruption of teeth.
Macroglossia, dysguesia, poor periodontal health, aberrant tooth morphology, delayed wound healing, delayed eruption of teeth, burning mouth syndrome, and dry mouth are all common oral manifestations of hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is underactive. In addition to other autoimmune concerns, hypothyroidism can cause patients to experience macroglossia (enlargement of the tongue), gum disease, slow healing of mouth sores, and, in children, delayed tooth growth.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition where the thyroid doesn't create and release enough thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. This makes your metabolism slow down. Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism can make you feel tired, gain weight and be unable to tolerate cold temperatures.
Gum disease: Because your thyroid affects your body's ability to heal itself, thyroid diseases increase the risk of developing periodontal disease. Healthy gum tissue can regenerate, making it possible to reverse the effects of gingivitis, the mildest form of gum disease.
In hypothyroidism, the skin tends to be pale both because of the dermal mucopolysaccharides and dermal water content. In addition, increased dermal carotene may appear as a prominent yellow hue on the palms, soles and nasolabial folds.
Hashimoto's is a disease that attacks the thyroid gland, which causes hypothyroidism (a lack of thyroid hormone production). Oral signs of Hashimoto's disease include gingival inflammation, periodontitis, and tooth decay.
We recommend choosing a toothpaste with nano-hydroxyapatite, as it is the only scientifically proven fluoride comparable that can improve the oral representation of hypothyroidism.
Role of the dentist
Dental professionals are often the first to suspect a thyroid disorder that is uncontrolled and aid in early diagnosis or intervention for treatment. Dental complications can arise from uncontrolled or undiagnosed thyroid disease.
In case of controlled hypothyroidism, minor restorative dental procedures such as cavity filling may be carried out. Physician consultation is mandatory in the patients taking an oral anticoagulant, thyroid hormone replacement therapy for underlying disease or central nervous system depressants like barbiturates.
The appearance of your tongue may indicate whether or not your altered taste buds stem from a thyroid issue. A healthy tongue is slightly pink, moist, and mostly smooth. If your tongue is dry, discolored, coated, or painful, you may suffer from hypothyroidism.
Sjogren's Syndrome is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that affect dental health.
In hypothyroidism, the time it takes for the skin cells to turn over increases. Because of this, your old cells stay on your skin longer. This will cause your skin to start feeling dry, rough, and scaly. You may start to notice wrinkles appearing or your skin starting to sag.
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in various ways. For example, with hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
“Hypothyroidism can affect facial features in many different ways, including facial puffiness, loss of hair from the outer part of the eyebrows, and in particular, swelling around the eyes,” says Ronald Lechan, M.D., PhD, endocrinologist and co-director of the Hypothalamic and Pituitary Disease Center at Tufts Medical ...
The decline in estrogen that occurs with menopause also puts women at greater risk for bone loss or osteoporosis and inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth (called periodontitis). Loss of bone, specifically in the jaw, can lead to tooth loss.
Lingual thyroid is an abnormal mass of ectopic thyroid tissue seen in base of tongue caused due to embryological aberrancy in development of thyroid gland. Most of the ectopic tissue is seen in the tongue.
A lack of thyroid hormones because of hypothyroidism leads to inflammation and trapped fluid in the mucous glands, causing them to swell.
Clinical manifestations of hypothyroidism range from life threatening to no signs or symptoms. The most common symptoms in adults are fatigue, lethargy, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, change in voice, and dry skin, but clinical presentation can differ with age and sex, among other factors.
Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body's needs. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.
Does Hypothyroidism Affect Life Expectancy? With proper treatment, a person with hypothyroidism usually has a normal life expectancy, with little or no decrease in quality of life. 1 Hypothyroidism generally carries a greater life expectancy than hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).