What Your Mouth Might Be Saying

Online, February 22, 2013 (Newswire.com) - A trip to the dentist can do more than ensure your oral health. Regular dental exams may also help to diagnose other, sometimes life-threatening medical conditions, ranging from oral cancer to stress.

Diabetes
Today, more than 25 million people in the United States suffer from diabetes. Millions more Americans are at risk for developing diabetes. Diabetes reduces the body's resistance to infection, making diabetes patients more susceptible to gum disease. Other symptoms of diabetes found in the mouth are high increases of oral fungal infections and persistent bad breath. Going for a regular dental exam may help to diagnose diabetes by its more unfamiliar symptoms, as well as make sure diabetics are safeguarding their oral health.

Oral Cancer
Oral cancer rates have increased by over 40 percent in the last decade and continue to climb.
Although the symptoms of oral cancer are unusual, including bleeding sores, lumps, or thick hard spots that persist more than three weeks, it is hard to self-diagnose. A regular check-up with a dental professional is critical. During a routine dental check-up, your dentist or hygienist performs a full examination of not only your teeth and gums, but also checks the tongue, the cheeks and floor of your mouth to look for anything unusual. They will also feel for lumps or irregular tissue changes in your neck, head, and whole oral cavity.

Eating Disorders
Aside from changes in physical appearance and behavior, eating disorders also adversely affect oral health. Disorders such as anorexia and bulimia rob the body of much-needed vitamins and minerals, which leads to discoloration and sensitivity of the gums. Bulimia involves excessive vomiting, forcing stomach acids into the mouth. The excessive acid causes discoloration and erosion of the teeth. Other indicators can include swollen salivary glands, dry mouth, sensitive teeth and loss of tooth enamel. Many individuals with this disorder also tend to brush their teeth after vomiting to mask the more obvious signs, such as bad breath. Excessive brushing promotes teeth erosion by spreading the acid.

Osteoporosis
Women over the age of 65 may experience tooth loss and gum disease, both early signs of osteoporosis. Going for regular dental check-ups may lead to a diagnosis from your dentist before your regular physician.

Stress
Researchers have also discovered that a negative life event experienced within 12 months of a dental exam can show up as increased severity of gum disease. To get the most out of your next dental check-up, make sure to inform your dentist about any and all medical conditions and medicines that may be having an effect on your oral health, as well as any changes in your medical history. It's possible that what's happening in your body is reflected in your mouth, and vice versa.

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