Oral problems can point to a range of other issues, including hormonal imbalance, stress and heart problems.
Even if your teeth look white and pearly
and have no cavities, symptoms in your mouth could spell trouble for
other areas of your health. “If your eyes are a window into your soul,
your mouth is a gateway into your health,” says Sanda Moldovan, DDS, MS,
CNS, a Beverly Hills periodontist.
“The way I treat patients who come to me, I connect the mouth with the
rest of the body because I do believe we’re a unit, and we’re no longer
separating the two,” says Moldovan.
Seems what’s going on below can directly impact the teeth, the gums and
the mouth, so never ignore an oral problem. Here, some things your
mouth can reveal about your health:
Bleeding gums = Hormonal imbalance
Hormone receptors are embedded in your gum tissue.
During pregnancy women may experience bleeding gums, not because of a
problem with a tooth but because their hormones have gone a little
haywire. Ditto for menopause. Women also have more sensitive gums during
their menstrual cycle, so you might avoid a trip to the dentist during
your period.
Red mouth, fat tongue = Nutritional deficiency
If the corners of someone’s mouth are red, that can be a sign of a B6
vitamin deficiency. Also, a swollen tongue, a shiny, red tongue or beefy
tongue can be signs of iron deficiency.
Similarly, a pale tongue can indicate anemia. Bring any color questions
to the attention of your dentist for further evaluation.
Cracked, crumbling teeth = GERD
A lot of times people think their teeth are wearing down because they
grind them. But when dentists observe teeth that melt away and have a
lot of cracks, it’s often from stomach acid emitted during sleep. Gastroesphogeal Reflux Disease or GERD
is when stomach acids come up through the esophagus into the mouth.
“The hard structures of teeth are being bathed in acid and low pH and
that is actually eroding the enamel off the teeth,” says Jeanette Kern,
DDS, who practices general dentistry in Monterey, Calif. These teeth
have a very specific look — it’s like when you go to the seashore and
see rocks smoothed out by wear. People who grind have more flattened and
sharp regions. Kern refers patients to a gastroenterologist at the
first sign of GERD tooth symptoms.
Bad breath = Stomach issues
If you’re brushing and flossing regularly and have good dental checkups, bad breath
can be related to stomach issues. “A small bacterial overgrowth in a
patient’s stomach can show up as bad breath and not be associated at all
with teeth,” says Moldovan. It may be an indication of a liver or
kidney problem. Even diabetics can have breath that smells musty like
fermentation, and that means their diabetes is not under control and
they should see a physician right away. Get any bad breath not related
to oral health checked out.
Flat, worn teeth & headaches = Stress
Flat worn teeth or morning headaches spell teeth grinding. If you sleep
solo, bruxism can go unnoticed until your dentist takes a peak into
your mouth. Morning headaches and jaw pain are other tell-tale signs.
“Worn teeth are just the beginning — grinding affects the entire
masticatory apparatus — from the bones that surround the teeth to the
muscles that move the jaw,” says Bryon Viechnicki, DMD, MS, an
orthodontist in Bethlehem, Pa., and clinical adjunct associate professor
of orthodontics at Temple University. Teeth can develop stress
fractures and grinders can have muscle pain and headaches that feel
sinus-related. “In many men, bruxism is a real pain in the neck — the
cervical muscles can be affected,” says Viechnicki. Migraines associated
with bruxism are more common in women. The scariest part of heavy
bruxism for many patients is not being able open their mouth all the
way. To protect your teeth, jaws and muscles, a custom mouth guard can
be made by your dentist. Managing stress and anxiety can also help relieve symptoms.
Canker sores = Gluten intolerance
Canker sores may be an indication of gluten intolerance
or a mineral deficiency such as zinc. “Normally if I see someone with
canker sores, I will give them a zinc supplement and if they still have
them, I would send them to the gastro doc to check out their gluten
intolerance, for possible celiac disease,” says Moldovan. Celiac disease
is an inherited, immune system disorder in which the proteins found in
wheat, rye and barley cause damage to the lining of the small intestine.
A recent study suggests a link between the mouth sores and intolerance
for gluten. Study participants who ate a gluten-free diet healed their
canker sores. Ask your doctor or dentist about a link if you have repeat
canker sores.
Gum disease & inflammation = Heart problems
“We know that the type of the bacteria in the mouth can be transferred
down into our blood vessels and cause plaque, and that plaque has a type
of bacteria that lives in the mouth. “So bacteria circulate in our
entire body,” says Kern. Even if you only have mild periodontal disease
(gum inflammation) around one tooth, it’s in your blood stream, so your
body is working on it all the time. “I think it’s a combination that it
is wearing down your immune system and that type of bacteria in the
plumbing of the blood vessel can cause coronary problems,” Kern
explains. When you have gum disease taken care of with a deep cleaning
in the dentist office, it lowers the inflammatory process and helps the
entire body. “So you may think you are cleaning up your mouth, but
you’re possibly saving your life when you take care of your periodontal
disease,” says Kern.