Can Your Mouth Tell You Something About Your Overall Health?
Have you ever had a dentist ask about your general health during a routine check-up and wondered what it had to do with your teeth? It turns out the mouth does not exist in isolation, and there are several general health conditions where signs can be seen in the mouth, and oral health can affect your everyday confidence.
The Mouth-Body Connection, Simplified
Your mouth is connected to the rest of your body, in much the same way as your heart, bones and other tissues. That means that changes in your general health can be seen and tested in the mouth, and conditions of the mouth can, in turn, have an impact on your health elsewhere. This is an association, not always a cause-and-effect in either direction, and it looks different on everyone.
Diabetes and Gum Health
There is a well-recognised two-way relationship between diabetes and gum health. Higher blood sugars can lead to inflammation and infection in the gums, and significant gum disease can raise blood sugars to dangerous levels. This is one reason you may be asked about diabetes by a dentist, and why those who have it are often encouraged to keep their dental appointments.
Dry Mouth and Medicines
Many medications, including those for blood pressure, allergies, depression and others, have a side-effect of reducing saliva production as a side-effect. Saliva protects the teeth and gums, and so reduced saliva can lead to more plaque on the teeth and greater discomfort. A dry mouth is something to mention to your dentist, as is any medication you take for an ongoing condition.
Why Saliva Matters More Than You Know
Saliva has several roles that protect the teeth and gums. When we reduce the amount of saliva, either deliberately or as a result of medication or illness, the opportunity for other conditions to take hold increases.
Ulcers That Don’t Go Away
Most ulcers are simple things that last for a week or two, and then vanish without a trace. An ulcer that appears to last much longer than that, or is not painful in the way you would expect, is worth having checked rather than having to wait it out.
Red or White Patches, and Lumps
Sometimes, areas on the inside of your mouth appear with a white or red patch or lump that wasn’t there before. These are nearly always completely benign, for a wide variety of reasons. Because of a small possibility of something more serious, any such patch or lump should be looked at rather than be left alone for a couple of weeks.
Difficulty Swallowing or Persistent Hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing, a sensation of something being stuck in the throat, or a hoarse voice that just will not go away are symptoms with a variety of possible causes, but any of them that persist for more than a couple of weeks are worth looking into.
What an Oral Cancer Screening Involves
An oral cancer screening is a routine part of an examination by a dentist. They check the soft tissues of your mouth, throat, tongue and neck for anything unusual. It is a precaution, not a diagnosis, and it is part of a general examination by a dentist for most adults.
Associations Are Not Diagnoses
It is important to remember that finding one of these associations does not mean that anything is wrong. These are associations that are useful to both dentists and doctors, and are not an easy diagnosis. Anything that concerns you should be looked at by a medical professional.
A Gentle Next Step
Your mouth can be helpful in identifying other health concerns, but it can take a professional to spot them and address them. If you have had an ulcer that will not go away, a patch or lump that has appeared, a dry mouth or any other symptom that is not normal for you and has persisted for more than a couple of weeks, it is a good idea to book an appointment. At Mumtaj Dental Care, an oral cancer screening is part of a general examination as part of maintaining a healthy mouth.
