If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then your mouth is the window to your health. Having a healthy smile reflects beauty on both the inside and out, but what about an unhealthy smile? The condition of your teeth and gums can tell a lot about the health of your body. This can include signs of disease and illness, deficiency in vitamins and minerals, or dependency on unhealthy habits. Below are common oral symptoms that may signify underlying health problems.
Bleeding Gums
If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you may have gingivitis. This caused when plaque buildup near the gumline causes inflammation and ultimately frequent bleeding. If left untreated, gingivitis can turn into a much more serious condition known as periodontitis. This is when the gums recede and form pockets of infection. The American Heart Journal published a study that found people with periodontist were more likely to have heart disease. It’s unclear why the two conditions are correlated, but it’s important to see a doctor if you are diagnosed with periodontal disease.
Cavities
If you eat healthy, practice good oral hygiene, but frequently get cavities, it may be a sign of diabetes. People with diabetes have a hard time breaking down glucose. This can cause sugar to build in saliva, leading to cavities. If you haven’t started taking new medications, and frequent cavities seem to be a new phenomenon it may be worth scheduling an appointment with a doctor.
Dry Mouth
Saliva helps you taste, digest, and keep your mouth clean. It can also help heal wounds that may have been self-inflicted from burning, cutting, or biting areas of your mouth. Without adequate saliva production you become at risk for other problems such as tooth decay and infection. Frequent dry mouth can be a sign of diabetes, Sjogren’s syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and even HIV/AIDS.
Enamel Erosion
Enamel is the shell surrounding the outermost layer of the tooth. Although the covering is thin, it is the strongest tissue existing in the human body and tasked with protecting your teeth. Enamel erosion is due to acids eating at this layer. Often times this is caused by the foods you eat and drink such as coffee, orange juice, and soda. Other times and can be due to acid reflux disease, also referred to as GERD or heartburn. This is when stomach acids enter the esophagus, throat and mouth, causing the acids to eat at the enamel.
Maintaining good oral health can improve your overall health and happiness. It is important to practice good oral hygiene and cavity prevention techniques to keep your mouth clean. Scheduling regular dental checkups with your dentist is important to catch health issues early.
