Your mouth can tell you a lot about the health of your body. The mouth shows signs of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems. It can also show signs of other disease, if you're missing certain foods from your diet and unhealthy habits such as using tobacco and tobacco-like products, and alcohol.
Loose teeth can be a symptom for many issues; one among these is heart disease. Inflamed gums and gum disease are other signs of heart disease. Especially in the case of periodontitis, gum-borne bacteria have been known to pass through the bloodstream, into your heart.
Some of the most common diseases that impact our oral health include cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal) disease, and oral cancer. More than 40% of adults report having felt pain in their mouth within the last year, and more than 80% of people will have had at least one cavity by age 34.
Poor dental hygiene is linked to cognitive decline
Poor oral hygiene can be a sign of cognitive decline, especially in those who have previously taken good care of their teeth. As brushing, flossing and dental visits become more difficult, the ability to maintain the health of the teeth lessens, says Ash.
Your teeth and gums can tell so much about your personal habits and any underlying health issues. In fact, your overall health and oral health are directly related. For example, those with inflammation in the gums probably have it in other areas of the body, too.
There are many conditions we can identify during a visual examination of your oral cavity, even if you don't know you suffer from them. This includes mental health problems such as depression. Recent studies suggest that depression conclude depression is closely related to poor oral health.
2. Examining Your Tongue: Upon a closer examination of the tongue, your dentist will check the size and texture of the tongue to ensure a healthy mouth. Your tongue's size and surface can determine a lot about your dental health, as well as your overall health.
The short answer is yes — if left untreated, rotting teeth can lead to stomach issues if the infection infiltrates your bloodstream.
What Color are Unhealthy Gums? Disease-causing bacteria can cause gums to become inflamed, which can sometimes lead to bright red gums. In other cases, the bacteria can cause an infection that results in white or blue gums. And in severe cases, the infection can cause the gums to turn black.
Poor oral health can impair your general health and well-being by creating or exacerbating health conditions such as heart and lung disease, stroke, or social anxiety and depression. Lesser but still serious side effects include difficulty swallowing and speaking, chronic pain, and loss of sleep.
the bacteria that causes periodontitis and gingivitis can travel through the bloodstream, causing inflammation and damage to blood vessels in the heart and brain. If fatty plaques block a blood vessel that leads to the heart, they can cause a heart attack.
Dental problems include cavities, tooth erosion, gum infections, and gum diseases. They can cause pain and discomfort, may affect a person's ability to eat, and may have a negative impact on an individual's self-esteem.
Yes, your dental health can affect your mental health. “When your oral health is suffering, it can decrease the quality of your life or exacerbate mental health issues,” explains Dr. Albers. “If you feel embarrassed about the health of your teeth, you may notice that this triggers some social anxiety.
Bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease are common problems that can be avoided by brushing and flossing and regular dental exams. Chronic bad breath may be caused by myriad mouth diseases. Tooth decay is caused by plaque's interaction with sugar or starch. Your gum disease risk goes up if you smoke.
Teeth grinding
Stress can make you clench and grind your teeth anytime of the day, without you even realizing it. Your dentist will be able to see signs of clenching and teeth grinding during your examination. If you already clench or grind your teeth when you're not stressed, this can make the habit worse.
The plaque that forms on your teeth is the same type of plaque that builds up in your arteries and causes heart disease. Plaque buildup in your arteries becomes a serious problem when the buildup of plaque on the walls of your arteries narrows them and restricts blood flow. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Gingivitis can cause dusky red, swollen, tender gums that bleed easily, especially when you brush your teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pale pink and fitted tightly around the teeth. Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums.
Yes, a tooth infection can affect your whole body. In severe cases, a dental infection can spread to your face, sinuses, neck, jawbone, blood, and even your entire system. Infection vs. abscess — An infection of bacteria can lead to an abscess (AKA a pocket of pus).
If we suffer from gum disease or oral infections, the blood vessels are used to transport the pathogens to different parts of the body. This means that the longer the disease is present, the more likely it is for it to start affecting other organs, causing you to feel tired and worn out.
Inflammation Contributes to Weight Gain
Inflammation is an important mediator between diabetes, weight gain, and gum disease. When your body is responding to the chronic infection in your gums, it releases inflammatory compounds into your body. These can alter the way your body uses energy and stores fat.
Your dentist will inspect your face, neck, lips, and mouth to look for signs of cancer. With both hands, he or she will feel the area under your jaw and the side of your neck, checking for lumps that may suggest cancer.
Even if you may not be aware you have symptoms of diabetes, your dentist or optometrist may notice them during routine exams. An oral exam can help detect more than 120 diseases, including diabetes, that show early symptoms in the mouth and jaw.
Physicians often ask their patients to "Please stick out your tongue." The tongue can betray signs of illness, which combined with other symptoms such as a cough, fever, presence of jaundice, headache or bowel habits, can help the physician offer a diagnosis.