Our mouths are the only thing we use all the time – chatting to our buddies, sipping G&Ts, yelling to the kids that dinner is ready, and of course, mocking all things delicious.
But aside from brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, how much do you really know about your mouth — and what does it say about the rest of your body?
Probably not much, which might also have something to do with the fact that most of us are due for a check-up.
According to Bupa’s new Wellbeing Index, 60% of Brits have not had a dentist appointment in the last 12 months and 25% say their dental health has deteriorated due to the pandemic.
Dentist James Goolnik says it pays to prioritize your dental health.
“Your mouth is really the gatekeeper to your entire body, and your dental team is the only one trained to spot the early signs of trouble,” he explains.
“Unlike our medical colleagues, we are in the privileged position of seeing our patients regularly, often when they are healthy. As a dentist
Not only do I spot 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 dental and oral health that suffers when we skip our biannual dental check-ups.
We may be missing vital signs about our overall health, from diabetes to cancer to eating disorders.
As National Smile Month runs through Thursday, the experts reveal the hidden dangers lurking in our mouths…
lumps and boils
A drop of Bonjela usually clears up boils fairly quickly, but if the sore, red lumps last long after their welcome, they could signal something more serious.
“Ulcers that take more than 10 days to heal can be due to a compromised immune system, iron or vitamin B12 deficiency, oral HPV (human papillomavirus), or oral cancer,” says James.
They can be caused by all sorts of things, explains Bupa dentist Dr. Susie Lloyd: “Poorly fitting dentures, erupting wisdom teeth, infections, medication, malnutrition or tooth brushing damage.
They are very common. But if you have a mouth ulcer that won’t heal, it’s time to seek help,” she explains.
And it’s not just raging sores that could signal oral cancer.
Unexplained, stubborn lumps in the mouth or throat that don’t go away can also occur, according to the NHS.
bleeding and swollen gums
A few drops of blood after overzealous flossing may be little cause for concern, but don’t ignore it.
“Bleeding gums are a sign of inflammation in the body and a weakened immune system,” says James.
Swollen gums can also signal pregnancy. “Often we can tell when our patients are pregnant by looking in their mouths,” James reveals, noting that symptoms include swollen gums and more bleeding than usual.
“It’s much easier to see if we’ve seen the patient before when she wasn’t pregnant so we can compare.”
Dentists can even tell a woman is pregnant before she opens her mouth, says James.
“Some people get nauseous when the chair is laid flat!”
Dry mouth
“Dry mouth or a white coating on the tongue could indicate diabetes,” says James.
The latter is a sign of dehydration, which is common in diabetics, and also a symptom of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels).
“Dry mouth can also indicate thrush or a vitamin B deficiency,” adds James.
Tooth wear and tooth decay
Tooth enamel erosion is an important sign that someone is struggling with an eating disorder.
“A pronounced tooth wear pattern may be due to repeated vomiting. This can indicate eating disorders such as bulimia and is also linked to increased tooth decay,” says Susie.
“That’s because vomit contains stomach acids that are corrosive and strong enough to erode the enamel that protects your teeth,” she explains.
“Erosion increases the risk of tooth decay, causes sensitivity and can even lead to bite changes or tooth loss.
In sensitive cases like these, it is our duty as dentists to understand the cause of any erosion and treat accordingly.
If we feel someone is showing signs of an eating disorder, we want to direct them to get help and ask if they would like us to refer them to their GP.”
If you don’t have an eating disorder, food could be the culprit. “Caries gives us a clue that your diet is a problem,” says James.
“Worn, thin, or sensitive teeth can indicate a high-acid diet or acid reflux.”
gingivitis
Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and foul-smelling breath, but it also points to a number of other potential problems.
“Research shows links between gum disease and conditions like diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure,” explains James.
Your dentist will advise you if they have concerns and feel you should follow up and see your GP.
bacterial plaque
Plaque build-up can indicate more than just the fact that you need to be more thorough with your brushing.
“If your mouth has a lot of bacterial plaque, theories suggest that you could breathe it in and spread the bacteria to your lungs,” says Susie.
“Although dentists cannot diagnose whether a patient has a lung problem, in poor oral health there is evidence that aspirated bacterial plaque can cause infection or worsen existing lung disease, particularly in the elderly.”
Susie says it’s important to improve your oral health to avoid such a scenario.
Her advice is, “Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, paying special attention to where plaque collects around the gum line, and use dental floss or interdental brushes once a day to get into hard-to-reach areas and clean between teeth.”
Your smile and lungs will thank you.