What Is Dry Mouth? | Delta Dental The spread of bacteria from mouth to mouth, is part of the reason why tooth decay (cavities) are the single most common chronic childhood disease. Your dentist can get a lot of information about you, just from simply looking in your mouth. How can your dentist tell that you snore? A dentist or a dental hygienist can take a quick look inside your mouth and tell you whether you clench and grind your teeth in your sleep. These checks can range from a standard medical history questionnaire, to a blood pressure check, or an oral cancer screening. Sat: 9:00am - 3:00pm This means that if you have any type of oral surgery procedure like a tooth removal, the time it would take for your gums and your bone to heal would be slower than normal. Oral health can have a direct impact on your gut health." HWCA #guthealthschool on Instagram: "Your mouth and gut have a close bond. Elsevier; 2017. https://www.clinicalkey.com. National Cancer Institute. Without enough saliva, the mouth is vulnerable to infections such as gum disease. American Dental Association: "Oral Cancer. Other autoimmune diseases may cause sores in the mouth, making it painful to brush and floss. Left un-checked, the infection reaches the inside of the tooth (the pulp), where the blood vessels and nerves in the tissue also become infected and inflamed. As soon as your dentist sees blood from just touching your gums, the verdict has already been decided. A Quick Review. Press gently along the sides of your neck for any pain, tenderness or lumps. Rven Smalls Widener is a former behavioral health professional with 3 years of experience educating and supporting patients dealing with chronic pain. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. One good way to tell if the alignment of your teeth has changed is to try wearing your dentures (if you use them). If certain conditions are detected during a dental exam, UIC dentists may coordinate prescription of medications, or share medical records and x-rays with a patients primary care physician as requested. Here are seven things that a dentist can tell from looking in your mouth. This article has been viewed 97,128 times. Mortality from oral cancer is nearly twice as high in some minorities (especially black males) as it is in whites. This is why it is important to get a, Author: This article was written by Dr David Chen, a. , NY. Ulcers in your mouth that don't heal after 2-3 weeks or bleed at the slightest touch are a common sign. Avoiding or limiting alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products. Good dental health is a reflection of good health overall. cracked or broken teeth. And it is more common than you might think. This one is similar to GERD because you will show up with enamel erosion as well. Bruxism (teeth grinding) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with one out of every four deaths occurring because of it. Cavities only form when the pH goes into the acidic range, namely below 5.5. The Oral Medicine & Facial Pain experts at UIC collaborate with all dental disciplines, including Periodontics, Endodontics, and Oral Surgery as well as a number of medical disciplines, including ENT, Dermatology, Oncology, Neurology, Hematology, Radiology, Surgery, and Psychiatry., Beth Miloro, DDS, MPH If you get them frequently, you could be deficient in one of the B vitamins. Autoimmune diseases:diseases such as Sjogrens syndrome can cause dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities. We often find that patients are skeptical that we can glean this information from just a brief examination, but our diagnoses is much less like palm reading or interpreting tea leaves than it may seem. By scheduling regular check-ups, you can increase the chances that any potentially cancerous or precancerous lesions will be caught early and successfully treated. 2. 99 views, 1 likes, 1 loves, 4 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from The Salvation Army of Nash, Edgecombe, Wilson Counties: Holiness Meeting April 30,2023 In: Gzler S, ed. Most people consider teeth and gums as separate from other aspects of personal health, yet they are more connected to serious health conditions that you might realize. We often find that patients are skeptical that we can glean this information from just a brief examination, but our diagnoses is much less like palm reading or interpreting tea leaves than it may seem. People who have certain heart conditions may be at higher risk of contracting disease from infections. They won't be able to feel one side of their face as if they just had an injection with novocaine even though they didn't get any dental treatment done. Jaw pain / TMJ:Frequent headaches, ringing in the ear or teeth clenching may be a sign of TMJ or other head & neck conditions. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease will typically come in with enamel erosion. Offenbacher has conducted several studies on the link between periodontitis and an increased risk of delivering a premature baby. But a dentist has now revealed a unique way to find out if you've got a bun in the oven and it's as easy as looking at your mouth. Wow, dentists can diagnosis autoimmune diseases?! 12 Things Your Dentist Knows About You Just By Looking in Your Mouth Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. A salivary gland dysfunction can lead to dry mouth, or very low levels of saliva. Research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. You may or may not be aware that you've been grinding your teeth, but your dentist can spot the signs. Frequent vomiting can lead to sensitive teeth, dry mouth and red, cracked lips. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. Some women will develop a deep red lump on their gums called a pregnancy tumor or pyogenic granuloma." Likewise, people who have severe periodontal disease find it harder to control blood sugar levels., Aniruddh Narvekar, BDS 4 Things A Dentist Can Tell From Your Teeth Pictures | Zenyum Founded in 2015 by Dr. Aditi Gupta and Arunav Chakravarty (AC), ACE Dental has been providing exceptional general and emergency dental services to patients in Central TX. "I tell my patients: If you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, you should keep your gums as healthy as possible so you don't add to your other risk factors," Cram says. Child abuse and neglect refer to the mistreatment of children and adolescents younger than 18 years old by people who have children in their care (e.g., parents, caregivers, coaches, or teachers). HWCA #guthealthschool on Instagram: "Your mouth and gut have a close Whatever you eat and make a part of you has to go through the oral cavity first. 1. A lack of saliva can cause oral health problems like cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. Some of these things you may be aware of but others you may not have been. All signs that your dentist is trained to recognize as side effects of bulimia. All rights reserved. [13] 2. Cavities are infections resulting from bacteria (most commonly Streptococcus mutans) feasting on the sugar and starches that remain after you've eaten. Your dental health can impact your heart. Difficulty in fitting the dentures inside your mouth is a good indication that your teeth have moved. As with all types of cancer, early detection is key in successful treatment. It looks as if you are permanently trying to blow a whistle. Acidic diet and reflux:Increased acidity in the mouth can cause a lot of erosion in the teeth. They may be the first to notice the symptoms and will refer you to a primary care doctor for follow-up. "Many patients are surprised that their dentist is the first one to ask about eating disorders," says Chase, "but bulimia exhibits a very distinct pattern of tooth wear that your dentist can easily identify." Look for mouth ulcers that recur in the same areas of the mouth over and over again. 16 Things Your Dentist Can Tell From Just Looking At Your Mouth Donald S. Clem, DDS, periodontist; president, American Academy of Periodontology. A healthy mouth means a lot more than not having cavities. But, in particular, palatal petechiae or other unexplained palatal injuries may be due to sexual abuse in the form of forced oral sex. Oral and cutaneous manifestations of viral and bacterial infections: Not only COVID-19 disease. Our LIC dentists diagnose sinus infections all that time. ", MORE:6 Mistakes You Make Every Time You Brush Your Teeth. In the process you will snore. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Having high blood pressure can cause excessive bleeding in the gums even during brushing, as well as during treatment. "However, those who did so past the age of seven or eight may show significant changes to their bite or the position of their teeth. Sorry, but you can't fool your dentist into thinking you floss daily by doing so the night before or morning of your visit. Using gloved hands, your dentist also feels the tissues in your mouth to check for lumps or other abnormalities. Holiness Meeting April 30,2023 | Holiness Meeting April 30,2023 | By This is due to the fact that mouth cancer affects the drainage of the lymph nodes. Can you tell me about your dental nurses/assistants? In some cases, the infection can spread from the mouth to other parts of our body, and even become life threatening in severe cases. Some of these things you may be aware of but others you may not have been. Moyer VA. You flossed right before your appointmentand that's the only time. Many people have sores in their mouths, with the great majority of these sores being noncancerous. It can be difficult to get a good view of the inside of your mouth in a wall mirror, so try using a small hand-held mirror to perform the self-examination preferably one that fits inside your mouth. You can have spontaneously bleeding gums. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This form of gum disease is similar to gingivitis but it just occurs during pregnancy. There are more than 640,000 new cases of oral cancer diagnosed annually worldwide. These may all be signs of sugar levels that are out of control, so dentists can alert patients to see their doctor to check for diabetes. Adjusting your medication dosage under professional supervision. Alcohol is one of the causes of dry mouth, reducing saliva production and increasing your chance of halitosis and tooth decay. You have dental caries. This is an easy one because your dentist actually looks at more than just your mouth. Oral cancer screening doesn't require any special preparation. clicking of the jaw. What can a dentist tell from just your mouth examination The only time you flossed since your last check up was right . It's not clear if these tests offer any additional benefit over the oral exam. You've heard of oral cancer right? Aside from that, there are times where we find that you may have swollen and bleeding gums that are inconsistent with the amount of plaque and tartar on your teeth. "Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this saves lives." Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that causes inflammation and damages the bone and soft tissues supporting the teeth. From the shape of your tongue, we can predict with probably 80-90% accuracy whether you have sleep apnea. This grinding -- also known as bruxism -- can eventually cause bone loss that your dentist may detect on your X-rays. Offenbacher, S. Journal of Periodontology, October 1996. The nurses or dental assistants that support a veterinary dentist have received comprehensive training on the pet-friendly handling techniques, common oral conditions, anesthesia (including advanced patient monitoring/support), dental x-ray and pain management. The most noticeable attribute would be an open bite. We recommend using the latest version of IE11, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari. These signs include: Dry mouth. Alice Lee, DDS, of Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY, adds, "We can sometimes see protruding front teeth, and this can impact how kids' jaws are coming together and growing and can also impact their speech. Saliva helps keep a balance in our mouths to help clean away cavity forming bacteria, from leftover food. What can a dentist tell from your mouth? [Answered!] The glands will feel swollen and painful to the touch. If your dentist finds an unusual sore, you may go through further testing to determine its cause. The follow up visits after an extraction will confirm our suspicions. 1. Here are some of the most common conditions dentists look out for that can affect your oral health. He says other possibilities include acid reflux and the use of antidepressants or mood-elevating drugs, both of which reduce the amount of saliva in the mouth, thereby upping the odds of acid damage. "This is caused by increased progesterone, which facilitates the growth of bacteria, causing gingivitis. You may also feel pain in your throat while talking, eating or even at rest. HIV will have oral manifestations. Look for mouth ulcers which have not healed in over two or three weeks. "Dentists and periodontists are concerned about more than saving your teeth - they're looking at how oral health fits into your overall well-being," says Steven Offenbacher, DDS, PhD, chair of the department of periodontology and director of the Center for Oral and Systemic Diseases at the School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Anemia. About 50,000 people in the US get it every year. Also, the appearance of palatal petechiae may not raise any concerns for dentists or other healthcare providers. Brushing and flossing more frequently would definitely help counteract all of those extra meals that they're probably having! Smoking: Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontal disease. ", Cleveland Clinic: "Oral Health Problems and Diabetes. "When I see a patient with symptoms like frequent gum abscesses, swelling, a lot of bone loss in a short amount of time, and gum disease that doesn't respond to normal treatment, those can be signs that they have diabetes," says Sally Cram, DDS, a periodontist in Washington, D.C., and spokeswoman for the American Dental Association. ", Mayo Clinic: "What is the best way to screen for oral cancer? When youre dehydrated, you lack saliva and your teeth are more vulnerable to acid attacks. The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage when cancer or lesions are easiest to remove and most likely to be cured. We factor medication use into our treatment planning. "Many times, imbalances in sugar will show a rapid change in the health of your gums, including increased swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity," says Handschuh. Tooth Loss: Are You at Risk from Diabetes, Poor Dental Care, or Other Reasons. Genetics, and other health related factors also play a part in influencing how our bodies respond to the disease and treatment methods. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. The reason they do this is two fold: To check if you are nervous because if you are, you would most likely be fidgeting your hands or white knuckling. Dentist reveals how to tell if you're pregnant just by looking at your Just to make sure you don't have unexplainable scars! Because saliva washes away food and neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. We verify stability of fillings or other restorations, and evaluate your risk of tooth decay, root decay, and gum or bone disease. Since gum disease may increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, you should tell your dentist if you have cardiovascular disease or have a family history of these conditions. ", American Academy of Periodontology: "Gum Disease and Diabetes. The treatment is fairly simple as it just involves a week of antibiotics. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your dentist, dental hygienist, or periodontist will typically screen for oral cancer as part of a routine dental exam. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Since then I've developed a fondness for writing, which is how this all got started! During your routine dental check-up, your dentist can uncover important clues about your overall health. If you are a victim of child abuse or know someone who might be, call or text theChildhelp National Child Abuse Hotlineat 1-800-422-4453 to speak with a professional crisis counselor. The soft palate is the back top part of the mouth connected to the hard palate. Some people who have a lot of wear in their teeth may not realize it could be caused from an acid reflux condition, or just an acid heavy diet. When diabetes is under control, periodontal disease is also more easily controlled. If your tooth enamel is worn down, for example, that's a sign that you may be suffering from stress and grinding your teeth at night. They release acids that eat away at a tooth's enamel, eventually weakening it and forming cavities. Disease of the Kidneys Osteoporosis. ", American Dental Association: "Bruxism (Teeth Grinding). ", Mayo Clinic: "Diabetes and dental care: Guide to a healthy mouth.". We can also share recommendations for good nutrition and oral hygiene, and provide counseling on special oral health care needs, such as tobacco cessation. Clinical Assistant Professor. However, the dentist can also tell your alcohol consumption by dry mouth. Drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw. Palatal petechiae may occur if a person is sexually active and engages in oral sex. If you work with certain chemicals like sulfuric acid, formaldehyde or asbestos, its good to ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening test during your normal oral check ups. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. What can a dentist tell from your mouth? (Still, that shouldn't stop you from attending routine dental appointments.). Secrets Your Dentist Will Never Tell You | The Healthy Experts say infections inside your mouth can cause health problems in other parts of the body and signal diseases such as leukemia . swelling of the face and cheek. Dry Mouth Treatment: How Your Dentist Can Help | Colgate 3rd ed. Getting more iron will solve these problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, this doesn't necessarily mean you have mouth cancer. Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. Diabetes. Palatal petechiae can also be a sign of or occur with illnesses. Yes, the teeth grinding will damage your teeth so you should schedule a consultation to have a night guard made so that it can protect your teeth. Sometimes it can even get to the point where they develop a pregnancy tumor. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. For instance, if your regular doctor notices an irregular lump in your mouth or throat, they may refer you to one of our oral medicine / cancer specialists. ", 5. Yes, our long island city dentists can tell if today was the only time you've ever flossed since the last time we saw you. This dentist can detect, treat, or refer (as needed) problems with decayed, missing, crowded, or crooked teeth. Bone loss will show up on x-rays. The purpose of all of this oral health information is to encourage you to see your dentist and to inform you of what you may expect during your visit. Drinking lemon water daily probably won't erode your enamel though. Nearly 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with head & neck cancer this year, causing nearly 10,000 deaths, making it the sixth most common cancer in the world. "A dry mouth will lead to cavities, because saliva neutralizes the damage-causing acid in our mouths. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Being unable to swallow foods or liquids or feeling pain when swallowing. Careen Young, DDS. "Often, the patient does not notice it because it starts as a small spot toward the back of the mouth or under the tongue and they don't have any symptoms," Cram says. So, visiting the dentist regularly is not only good for your dental health, but your overall health too. This affects your gums as well as your tongue. Hello, I'm Dr Chen and I'm an actively practicing dentist in Long Island City, NY. Dentists can treat a wide range of conditions affecting your teeth, gums, jaws and other areas of your mouth. You are pregnant. We check the tissues inside and outside the mouth visually and by touch to detect signs of possible cancerous or benign legions or tumors. When women are pregnant, their hormones go out of control and one of consequences is that they develop pregnancy gingivitis. Oral Health Basics: Symptoms, Types, Causes & More Any instance of palatal petechiae won't come as a total surprise. People with diabetes are at higher risk for developing infections for many diseases. It's been more than a decade since I first got to know dentistry and let me tell you, time flies by quickly. What Can a Dentist Tell About Your Cardiovascular Health by Taking a Look in Your Mouth, at Your Teeth, and at Your Gums? 6. Patients who have alcoholic tendencies or are just plain alcoholics, will be cavity prone. They offer treatments in: Preventive dentistry. There is a growing body of evidence that periodontal (gum) disease is associated with negative health consequences related to a number of medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2D); rheumatoid arthritis (RA); cerebral vascular disease (CVD); and adverse pregnancy outcomes. As part of a comprehensive oral healthy exam, a dentist may check several aspects of a patients overall health to see if indicators are out of normal ranges. All rights reserved. Researchers found that the probability of an individual having infectious mononucleosis rose with the presence of palatal petechiae and other symptoms. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include: The number of people diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers has been rising over the last several years, though it isn't clear why. Well, its really quite simple, we just need to look at your tongue. More specifically it would be the back part of the tooth that is affected. Clinics in Dermatology. Your bad breath may mean something. History of vaping, smoking, or diet changes. Restorative dentistry. 7. 1311 Jackson Ave ", Cleveland Clinic: "Oral Health and Cardiovascular Diseases. A dentist or a dental hygienist can take a quick look inside your mouth and tell you whether you clench and grind your teeth in your sleep. If you haven't been flossing, your gums will start bleeding and a lot at that. Will typically look like a sore but one that doesn't go away. These chemicals can induce early labor and impair fetal growth. Preventing high risk behaviors, that include cigarette, cigar or pipe smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, and excessive use of alcohol are critical in preventing oral cancers. I graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2016 but prior to going to dental school I was already working in the dental field. 2014; doi:10.7326/M13-2568. You have diabetes. Another example might be knowing if a patient has been taking a medication that could lead to excessive bleeding or inflammation in their gums., Alexandra Rodriguez, DDS, MS