Oral health affects the general health of a person, and ignoring the treatment of infections that occur in the mouth exposes him to the risks of developing some more serious diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, so attention must be paid to the mouth to maintain public health, according to what was published by The Sun.
For his part, Dr. Oceana Okoye, a cosmetic dentist, said that the usual things, such as tooth decay and gum disease, sometimes become a sign of a person suffering from diabetes, heart disease and a number of other health conditions, indicating that oral care generally affects the immune system.
Signs that appear in your mouth indicate that you have some diseases
1. White spots on the tongue
A healthy tongue should be light pink in color, says Dr. Okoye. White spots on your tongue can be a sign of many things depending on their shape. A color that looks like cheese is most likely thrush. The causes can range from poor oral hygiene, to The bacteria multiply, to medications such as antibiotics and asthma inhalers, and dry mouth caused by medications such as antidepressants and blood pressure medications.”
A stressed immune system, caused by diabetes or cancer, for example, can cause white spots on the tongue.
He warns that if you have a thick white spot anywhere that doesn’t go away after three to four weeks, it could be oral cancer, so you should get checked out.
2. Colored tongue
“A yellow tongue could mean liver problems while a blue or purple tongue could be a sign of heart problems,” explains Dr. Okoye.
And if you notice blue spots on your tongue, this could be a bloody blister from biting the tongue, but Dr. Okoye adds that it could be a sign of something more serious, so it’s best to get it checked out.
3. Black hairy tongue
Dr. Okoye reveals that a black, hairy tongue is usually due to a buildup of bacteria, especially in smokers. “It’s important to use a tongue scraper,” she advises.
And she continued, “Black tongue is also common in those who take bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which is a common drug that people take for indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea. The black tongue goes away once you stop taking the medication.”
4. Bleeding gums
“It’s the first indication of problems and a sign of inflammation,” Okoye says. But, she added, bleeding gums are reversible. To avoid this often painful scenario, it’s wise to increase your brushing as well as your brushing routine.
5. Intraoral tissue
If you notice “web-like patterns on the inside of the cheek,” it may be due to lichen planus, a rash that is usually not serious.
According to Okoye: “It is more common in women 40 years of age and older, and it can also cause bright red bumps to appear on other areas of the skin such as the hands, nails or scalp.”
“Unfortunately, there is no known cure for the condition, but practicing good oral hygiene and using a steroid mouthwash can help,” Okoye explains. “There is some evidence that it can be an early sign of oral cancer, so it’s important to keep up with your dentist’s checkups.”
6. Dry mouth
Dr. Okoye added that dry mouth can cause a host of problems in general due to not having enough saliva.
This can include tooth decay and gum disease as well as bad breath and a slight change in the sense of taste.
Dry mouth is often caused by some of the medications people take, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications.
He recommends avoiding dry mouth by drinking plenty of water, which is the substrate for saliva production. She added: “Try chewing sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva production, but only chew for ten minutes or as long as the flavor lasts.”
7. Mouth ulcers
These pit-like sores appear inside or outside the mouth and are sometimes called canker sores. The cause may be stress, hormones, allergies, or a nutritional deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12, and eating some acidic or spicy foods can make it worse.
“If it lasts more than three to four weeks, you should get it checked out,” says Dr. Okoye.