What Your Mouth Is Telling You

Most people recognize that regular visits to the dentist are vital for maintaining oral health. But what many people don't realize is that their oral health may be providing them with important clues to their general health.

If you are suffering from certain oral health problems, you may want to make sure that they aren't symptoms of broader health concerns. Your dentist can diagnose problems with your teeth, gums, jaw, and tongue that might indicate the following types of health concerns:

• The health of your teeth and mouth can reveal signs of poor nutrition and eating disorders as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

• Periodontitis – a severe type of gum disease – is sometimes linked to cardiovascular disease and cardiac infections such as endocarditis.

• Frequent and severe gum infections can be an indicator for diabetes.

• Oral bone loss, which could be a sign of osteoporosis, can be detected by dental X-rays. 

• Tooth loss at an early age (before 35) has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.

• Dentists can also screen for signs of oral cancer. 

Likewise, neglecting your oral health can have a significant impact on your overall health. Since the mouth is the gateway to the body for many types of bacteria, practicing good oral hygiene can protect the rest of your body from potentially harmful bacteria that could cause gum disease and even find their way into your bloodstream and cause more systemic infections.

Some people are particularly at risk when neglecting oral hygiene. Pregnant women, whose gums can be prone to tenderness and bleeding, should take care to guard against serious gum disease that could potentially harm an unborn child. People with diabetes may be more prone to mouth infections and should exercise careful hygiene as well. Of course, it goes without saying that as we age, dental hygiene is as important as ever, as good oral health contributes to a higher quality of life.

And of course there are emotional benefits associated with flashing a smile. People who are confident in their oral health are more likely to smile – and research suggests that smiling releases natural endorphins that make us feel good and can even lower blood pressure and relieve stress. So next time you're considering your overall health, make sure to include regular dental checkups in your regimen.