The Condition of Your Mouth Says A Lot About Your Overall Health

Have you taken a good look at your teeth and gums lately? Experts say that what’s going on in your mouth says a lot about your overall health. So, if they’re not looking or feeling as good as they should be, it could be a sign of a serious disease. Here are seven problems you might find in your mouth and what they mean, courtesy of Yahoo Health:
  • If you have flat, worn teeth, it means you grind your teeth when you sleep - a common sign of emotional or psychological stress. The grinding can make your jaw ache from clenching, cause headaches, and lead to cracked and broken teeth. If that’s you - wear a mouth guard at night to keep your upper teeth from grinding with your lower teeth. You can get one made by your dentist or a generic one at most drug stores.
  • Then, are your teeth are cracking and crumbling? It could mean you have acid reflux disease – where acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus and your mouth when you’re lying down, and literally erodes your teeth. The first sign? The enamel on your teeth becomes thin and translucent. If that describes your teeth, see a gastroenterologist.
  • What’s another problem your mouth is telling you about? Mouth sores that won’t go away. It could mean you have oral cancer, which needs to be caught early – because it has a survival rate of only 35 percent. Over 30,000 people a year are diagnosed with oral cancer, and most are smokers. If you have a persistent mouth sore that won’t heal, see your doctor right away.
  • Finally, if your mouth is dry most of the time, you could be allergic to cigarette smoke or a new medication you’re taking. In fact, hundreds of drugs list “dry mouth” as a side effect - including antihistamines, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and meds for incontinence. However, a lack of saliva could be a sign of diabetes. Since you can go years without a proper diabetes diagnosis, it’s important you mention dry mouth to your doctor.
If you have any questions call Foothills Dental Centre at (870) 865-7673.  Trusted and proudly serving Hinton, Edson, Jasper, Grande Cashe, Spruce Grove, Whitecourt and the Drayton Valley.