Without fail, you follow your dentist’s orders to keep
your teeth and gums healthy — but did you know that the condition of your mouth
can also shine light on other health problems? Some dental conditions such as bad breath and puffy gums can
be signs of gum disease. Other oral symptoms, however, may point to seemingly
unrelated health problems (hint: eroded teeth could be a sign of an eating
disorder or chronic heartburn). Take a look at these oral symptoms to find out
what they could be telling you about your health.
Why You Have Bad Breath
Everyone
experiences stinky breath, but brushing and flossing (including brushing your
tongue or using a tongue scraper) should nip bad breath in
the bud. What about when it doesn’t? It could be a sign of advanced gum disease, so it’s important to talk to your dentist before this oral condition
ruins perfectly healthy teeth, says David M. Leader, DMD, assistant clinical
professor at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston
Most of the time, however, the biggest bad-breath
culprit is your diet. “Onion, garlic, and pungent spices will produce mouth
odor for hours after consumption,” Dr. Leader says. In addition, people who
have uncontrolled diabetes, eat a high-protein diet, or suffer from alcoholism
tend to have breath with a sweet or fruity odor, from a metabolic condition
called ketoacidosis.
Swollen Gums? Here's What They Signal
Swollen gums is
another sign of gum disease.
Even if you believe you have healthy teeth, swollen gums absolutely require a
visit to the dentist. Your dentist or dental hygienist will be able to tell
right away if you have gum disease — but you can check for swollen gums
yourself by drying your gums with a napkin or a tissue and looking in the
mirror. “The surface of the gum close to the teeth should appear pebbled like a
basketball, not smooth and shiny,” Leader says. And although your swollen gums
may feel fine, they tend to bleed during brushing.
In addition to swelling, this dental health problem
also causes red gums. (Most light- and dark-skinned people naturally have pink
gums, but some people of Mediterranean and
African descent have darker gums).
Uncover the Cause of Eroded Enamel
During dental
erosion, the surface of a tooth or teeth gradually wears away. Any source of
acid can erode the tooth enamel of healthy teeth,
including acid from citrus fruits and soda. But one of the most common sources
of acid in the mouth is due to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, a
condition in which acid from the stomach comes up the esophagus, causes
heartburn, and reaches the mouth, says Leader. Another cause of this dental
health problem may be bulimia, the eating disorder in which people frequently
binge on a large meal and then purge by vomiting.
What's That Sour Taste in Your Mouth?
If you frequently
have a sour taste in your mouth (which is often mistaken for bad breath), it
could be another sign of GERD,
especially if it’s accompanied by a sore throat, chest pain, and a hoarse
voice, Leader warns. Besides this oral condition and dental erosion, GERD can
lead to other problems such as an esophageal ulcer and inflammation of the
esophagus. If you suspect you have GERD, get tested and treated as needed.
Why So Dry?
Dry mouth, or
xerostomia, is a very common oral condition, especially as you age, Leader
says. There are also more than 425 medications that include dry mouth as a side
effect. But dry mouth can be related to issues beyond dental health. It’s also
a common symptom of diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus
erythematosus, and Sjogren’s syndrome. If you have chronic dry mouth, you should
be concerned and talk to your dentist, Leader advises. You can also find
clinics that specialize in treating this condition
Are Your Loose Teeth Trying to Tell You Something?
Loose teeth are
another dental health symptom not to ignore because this may be a sign that you
have gum disease, a potentially serious oral condition.
Bacteria that grow below the gum line can cause tissues and bones to break
down, leading to the separation of the teeth from the gums. As more tissue and
bone is destroyed, the more likely you are to lose healthy teeth as they become
loose and need to be pulled.
Loose teeth may also be a sign of infection or
scleroderma, a disease of the connective tissue that causes changes in the
skin, blood vessels, muscles, and organs.
Mouth Sore SOS
Did you know that a white or red patch on the
tongue or lining of the mouth is the most common sign of oral cancer? But don’t
be alarmed: Mouth sores are completely common and the chance your sore signals
cancer is low. To be safe, show your dentist any sores in your mouth that don’t
heal after two weeks.
Mouth sores from oral cancer tend to occur along with other oral
conditions, such as a strange taste in the mouth, problems chewing; pain when
you swallow, and having trouble with speech.
White or Brown Lines on Kids' Teeth?
Children who have
been exposed to too much fluoride can have white or brown lines across the face
of their teeth, Leader says. Other signs of too much fluoride are nausea,
diarrhea, and vomiting. While safe in very small amounts, “if you think your child has consumed a large quantity of
fluoride toothpaste, call poison control immediately,” he urges. To protect
healthy teeth, limit fluoride exposure, keep fluoride toothpaste in a safe
place, and only supplement fluoride if your dentist recommends it. Remember
that most community water supplies are fortified with fluoride for dental
health and that fluoride can be found in some bottled water and other products
such as juice.
If you’re experiencing
a moderate to severe scalding sensation in your mouth, lips, or tongue, it
could be an oral condition called burning mouth syndrome. Fortunately, burning
mouth syndrome is not very common, Leader says. When it does occur, it can be
caused by a number of medications,
certain specific oral conditions, or other health issues, including nutritional
deficiencies, fungal infections in the mouth, and hormone changes in women.
