Our mouths are the one thing we use all the time – chatting with our friends, sipping G&Ts, yelling at the kids that dinner is ready, and, of course, mocking all the delicious things.
But besides knowing that you should brush and floss twice a day, how much do you actually know about your mouth—and what it says about the rest of your body?
Probably not much, which may have to do with the fact that most of us have a check up.
According to Bupa’s new wellbeing index, 60% of Brits have not had a dental appointment in the past 12 months and 25% say their dental health has declined as a result of the pandemic.
Dentist James Goolnik says it’s worth prioritizing your dental health.
“Your mouth is truly the gatekeeper to your entire body, and your dental team is the only one trained to detect early signs of problems,” he explains.
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“We are in a privileged position to see our patients regularly, often when they are healthy, unlike our medical colleagues. as a dentist,
Not only do I see the signs of tooth decay and gum disease, I look for abnormalities and early signs of disease in your neck muscles and glands.”
So it’s not just our teeth and oral health that take a hit if we skip our six-monthly dental checkups.
We may be missing vital signs across our broader health, from diabetes to cancer and eating disorders.
On the occasion of National Smile Month, which runs until Thursday, the experts reveal the hidden dangers lurking in our mouths…
Lumps and sores
A drop of Bonjela normally causes ulcers fairly quickly, but if the painful, red bumps are long unwelcome, they could signal something more serious.
“Peptic ulcers that take longer than 10 days to heal may be due to a compromised immune system, iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, oral HPV (human papilloma virus), or oral cancer,” says James.
They can be caused by many things, explains Bupa dentist Dr Susie Lloyd: “Mis-fitting dentures, eruptive wisdom teeth, infections, medication, nutritional deficiencies or damage caused during brushing.
They are very ordinary. But if you have a mouth ulcer that won’t heal, it’s time to get help,” she explains.
And it’s not just angry sores that can signal oral cancer.
According to the NHS, unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or neck may not go away.
Bleeding and swollen gums
A few drops of blood after some overzealous flossing may seem like little cause for concern, but don’t ignore it.
“Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation in the body and a weakened immune system,” James says.
Swollen gums can also indicate pregnancy. “Often we see when our patients are pregnant by looking in their mouths,” reveals James, noting that the symptoms are swollen gums and more bleeding than usual.
“It’s much easier to spot if we’ve seen the patient before, when they weren’t pregnant, so we can compare.”
Dentists can even clock that a woman is pregnant before opening her mouth, James says.
“Some will feel nauseous if the chair is laid flat!”
Dry mouth
“A dry mouth or a white coating on your tongue can indicate diabetes,” says James.
The latter is a sign of dehydration, which is common in people with diabetes, and also a symptom of hyperglycemia (high glucose levels).
“Dry mouth can also indicate thrush or a vitamin B deficiency,” adds James.
Tooth wear and tooth decay
Tooth enamel erosion is a major giveaway that someone is struggling with an eating disorder.
“A distinct pattern of tooth wear may be due to repeated episodes of vomiting. This can indicate eating disorders, such as bulimia, and is also associated with more cavities,” says Susie.
“This is because vomit contains stomach acids, which are corrosive and strong enough to wear away the enamel that protects your teeth,” she explains.
“Erosion increases the risk of tooth decay, causes sensitivity and can even lead to changes in your bite or loss of teeth.
In sensitive cases like these, it is our duty as dentists to understand the cause of erosion and treat it accordingly.
If we feel that someone is showing signs of an eating disorder, we want to give them a signpost to seek help and ask if they want us to refer them to their GP.”
If no eating disorder is involved, food could be the culprit. “Tooth decay gives us an indication that your diet is a problem,” James says.
“Worn, thin or sensitive teeth can indicate an acid diet or acid reflux.”
gum disease
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and foul breath, but it also indicates a range of other potential problems.
“Research shows links between gum disease and conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure,” explains James.
Your dentist will advise you if he/she is concerned and thinks you should consult your GP.
Bacterial plaque
Plaque buildup can indicate more than just brushing more thoroughly.
“If your mouth contains a lot of bacterial plaque, theories suggest you could inhale it and spread the bacteria to your lungs,” Susie says.
“While dentists cannot diagnose whether a patient has a lung problem, if they have poor oral health, there is some evidence that aspirated bacterial plaque can cause infection or aggravate existing lung conditions, especially in the elderly.”
Susie says it’s vital to improve your oral health to avoid such a scenario.
Her advice is: “Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, pay particular attention to where plaque collects around the gums, and floss or use an interdental brush once a day to clean the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth.”
Your smile and lungs will thank you for it.
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