Clues To Your Overall Health Can Be Discovered In Your Mouth

DID YOU REALIZE THAT AN ESTIMATED 90%ย of systemic diseases can have an oral manifestation? Your mouth is loaded with helpful information about your bodyโ€™s overall health.

Fortunately, most of your mouthโ€™s โ€œstoriesโ€ are related to minor issues. However, some can actually be signs of more serious problems.

Your Teeth

If you haveย worn-down teethย it can mean thatย youโ€™ve been grinding your teethโ€”probably in your sleep. Grinding can be a symptom of TMD (temporomandibular disorder) which may also lead to chronic headaches.

If we notice that yourย tooth enamel is thin, it couldย be a sign of a condition such as acid reflux or bulimia because both regularly bathe teeth in stomach acid.

Your Gums

Occasionally, we all may haveย swollen, sensitive gums.ย But if it persists,ย even when youโ€™re taking really good care of your mouth, it could be an early sign of something serious like diabetes or leukemia. Sometimes it may simply be a sign of vitamin C deficiency. But, itโ€™s good to consider all the possibilities.

In addition, modern research and many health experts continue to draw lines betweenย gum diseaseย and other whole-body health issues including lung disease, cardiovascular problems, and even early-term labor.

Your Tongue

There are a few odd tongue conditions like hairy black tongue (which is pretty much what it sounds like) and geographic tongue (random-shaped, smooth red patches) that have various causes but are not considered seriousโ€”although they can cause discomfort. However, what IS serious are early signs ofย oral cancerย which often show up on the side of your tongue first, in small red or white spots.ย If you have a sore on your tongue, cheek, or elsewhere in your mouthย that doesnโ€™t go away in a reasonable amount of time, have us check it out right away.

Nutritional Imbalances

Nutritional deficiencies are often reflected in your mouth where the soft tissues are renewed quickly. An Academy of General Dentistryย studyย shows that oral tissue sensitivity can be a sign of deficiencies in iron, zinc, and folic acid which can show up as gum disease.

Questions About Your Oral Or Overall Health?ย 

First of all, donโ€™t skip yourย doctor appointments! Thatโ€™s not the point of this post! But remember thatย your regular dental checkups are more important than ever.

Here atย our practice, weโ€™re so grateful for your trust. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your oral health, pleaseย ask us. And if you have any persistent symptoms like those listed in this post, let us know.

Thanks for being our valued patient. We love what we do because of you!

Dr. David Frey, a dentist passionate about creating beautiful smiles, graduated from UCLA and the University of Pacific School of Dentistry. After serving under privileged children, he opened a cosmetic dentistry practice, pioneering porcelain veneers, TMJ Treatment, Periodontal Treatment, Dental implants. He now uses the latest techniques to serve patients in Beverly Hills and London.

Medically Reviewed By

Perfect White smile, David frey DDS
One of the top rated Dentist in Beverly Hills, CA

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