The mouth can be a very useful tool to help us evaluate our health. Most people are not aware that our teeth can provide us with evidence of other problems occurring in our bodies. Hopefully your dentist only sees you for your routine cleaning and examination. Therefore, a large part of the responsibility falls on ourselves to monitor the changes we notice in our oral condition and appearance, as it allows us to keep track of our overall health.
Although not all oral symptoms suggest another health problem, it is important to be aware of them and try to figure out the cause. Rather than avoid the issue and let it grow into something more painful and costly, you can nip it in the bud and keep your well-being (and teeth) shining! To help you get started, we will list some problems to keep an eye on and potentially get checked out.
Bad Breath
Almost everyone experiences an instance of less than favorable breath. For the most part, this is due to the foods we consume, such as garlic and onions, which can be cured with a simple mint, brushing your teeth/tongue, flossing, or some mouthwash. However, bad breath can be a sign of advanced gum disease, which can ruin a perfectly good set of teeth. In this case, it is important to talk to your dentist so that they can examine the situation and help give you a bigger picture.
Acid Reflux
If you notice that you have a sour taste in your mouth, especially around the times that you eat, there is a chance that you could suffer from acid reflux. This condition normally produces bad breath, chest pain, and a sore or raspy throat. Not only is this detrimental to your dental health, as the acid can lead to tooth decay, it can also lead to stomach ulcers and esophageal inflammation. If you believe that you suffer from this condition, make an appointment to see a specialist who can help you manage the causes and effects.
Eroded Enamel
As enamel erodes, the protective surface layer on your teeth breaks down. This is typically due to the consumption of citrus, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, and sodas, which all contain the acid that eats away at the enamel. In order to alleviate the effects of these products, it can be beneficial to use a straw, which mostly directs the beverage past your teeth. As mentioned above, acid reflux can also lead to the erosion of enamel, which would require doctor recommendations in order to treat the cause. Lastly, bulimia can severely destroy the enamel of the teeth, as the acid in our stomachs is constantly in contact with our teeth.
Mouth Sores
For the most part, mouth sores are a common occurrence, appearing on the crease of the mouth or tongue. There is a small chance that these sores can be a predictor of oral cancer. In this instance, they are typically coupled with a bad taste in the mouth and pain while chewing and swallowing. Since most of these sores are harmless, there is not much to fret about. However, if they last for more than two weeks at time, make sure to follow-up with your dentist so that they can examine you and let you know the potential cause.
Swollen and Sore Gums
If you notice that your gums are swollen, sore, and red, you should call your dentist in order to see whether you have gum disease. An indicator of unhealthy gums would be if they appear smooth and shiny (rather than slightly pebbled) close to the tooth line when dried. In this case, gums are likely to bleed and cause pain during brushing and flossing. In order to alleviate the pain, brush the area gently but thoroughly and make sure to take the time to floss between the teeth.
Now that you have the information, keep an eye out on the changes you notice over time. Seek a doctor or dentist if you believe that you suffer from any of the above conditions. Your mouth and teeth are trying to speak to you, don’t ignore them!
