what can a dentist tell from your mouth

Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth. Your dentist likes to see you every six months. Look for mouth ulcers with irregular borders, that bleed at the slightest touch. "This is caused by increased progesterone, which facilitates the growth of bacteria, causing gingivitis. References. Koray M, Tosun T. Oral mucosal trauma and injuries. Tues: 9:00am - 6:00pm Oral health can have a direct impact on your gut health." HWCA #guthealthschool on Instagram: "Your mouth and gut have a close bond. Dentists can treat a wide range of conditions affecting your teeth, gums, jaws and other areas of your mouth. One good way to tell if the alignment of your teeth has changed is to try wearing your dentures (if you use them). Without adequate saliva, the tongue cannot glide over the teeth, gums, and cheeks, making eating, speaking, or swallowing difficult. Child protective services, law enforcement agencies, or both will use the report as part of the case's investigation. Acids do the most damage when you are very thirsty or have a dry mouth. In the process you will snore. 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. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2019.html. Periodontal (gum) disease in particular is associated with several, often serious, health problems. But no studies have proved that oral cancer screening saves lives, so not all organizations agree about the benefits of an oral exam for oral cancer screening. Symptoms. 2021;39(3):384-404. 6. The condition of your teeth and gums might have an effect on your heart. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment. We make sure our patients understand that they must also work to get blood sugar under control in order for their body to properly fend off the infections leading to periodontal disease. Typically, palatal petechiae goes away on its own, and it shouldn't prevent you from seeing a dentist for routine dental care or a healthcare provider for treatment if an infection is the cause. All rights reserved. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If your dentist suspects that you have undiagnosed diabetes, he or she will advise you to go to an endocrinologist or to your primary care doctor for testing. "General bad breath can be categorized as halitosis," says Arbeitman. Your dental health can impact your heart. Fisher-Owens SA, Lukefahr JL, Tate AR, et al. ", MORE:5 Things Your Blood Type Says About Your Health. If the smell is "very foul," says Arbeitman,it could be anything from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) to an underlying lung abscess and bronchitis to a tonsil stone. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with one out of every four deaths occurring because of it. They will experience a lot more bleeding gums and swollen gums. HIV/AIDS:Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS. Patient evaluation and assessment. Excessive sun exposure with tanning habits. Your dentist can see signs in your mouth that you've been smoking or vaping without you telling them. Oct. 13, 2019. Whether you're stressed out while you sleep. This article has been viewed 97,128 times. Slideshow: Oral Health: Top Tips for Beautiful Teeth and Gums, Oral Health Evaluator - Take the WebMD Oral Health Evaluation. The reason, he explains, is because the roots of the top teeth are positioned in the same area as the floor of the sinuses. A frequent vaper will also have a dry mouth, which is another telltale signhiding that you vape from your dentist will not help your oral health. 1311 Jackson Ave 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). "Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this saves lives." Diabetes weaken the overall immune system and in turn the mouth becomes prone to other infections such as . Palatal petechiae can also be a sign of or occur with illnesses. Some common oral health concerns include canker sores, dry mouth, or cavities. Wisdom teeth removal surgery, also called a wisdom tooth extraction, is a dental procedure used to remove a tooth from the third set of molars , commonly called your "wisdom teeth." The surgery is typically used when the tooth becomes impacted. "The mouth is the window to the body," says David Silverstrom, DDS, of The Silverstrom Group in Livingston, NJ. A person with CMV may not show any symptoms. J Am Board Fam Med. This is why it is important to get a dental check up with your dentist every 6 months. Preventive dentistry Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common condition, particularly among older adults. 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. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Palatal petechiae may occur if a person is sexually active and engages in oral sex. Rven Smalls Widener is a former behavioral health professional with 3 years of experience educating and supporting patients dealing with chronic pain. Patients who have alcoholic tendencies or are just plain alcoholics, will be cavity prone. 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. Accessed Aug. 14, 2019. Oral exams for oral cancer screening have some limitations, such as: Oral cancer screening could lead to additional tests. ", CDC: "Public Health Implications of Chronic Periodontal Infection in Adults.". Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth. Likewise, people who have severe periodontal disease find it harder to control blood sugar levels., Aniruddh Narvekar, BDS Regular exams allow our dentists to keep your mouth in good shape and monitor conditions that may get worse or lead to problems elsewhere in your body. Experts agree, however, that women who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should get a dental exam and, if necessary, treatment for gum disease as early as they can. The treatment is fairly simple as it just involves a week of antibiotics. Avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria most of them harmless but some cause our teeth to decay, and can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. You've either gingivitis or periodontitis, one of the two forms of gum disease. clicking of the jaw. Your dentist can tell if you vape by looking at the stains on your teeth. Some groups recommend screening, while others say there isn't enough evidence to make a recommendation. "Spending 5 minutes a day to remove plaque and bacteria by brushing and flossing is worth it if it will help prevent serious heart problems or stroke.". Because alcohol has such a distinct smell, your dentist can tell if you are a heavy drinker. Strep throat can also cause palatal petechiae. It can occur through oral sex or with the presence of an illness, but in some cases, its appearance may be a sign of abuse. A common example is the association between periodontal diseases and diabetes. ", 9. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Disease of the Kidneys Osteoporosis. Palatal petechiae is bruising on the roof of your mouth. However, one condition you may be less familiar with is palatal petechiae, which can appear on the soft palate. Smoking: Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontal disease. 'Fruity' breath could indicate uncontrolled diabetes or a dietary fast that has gone too far, while 'fishy' breath could be a sign of kidney or liver failure," he explains. Timothy Chase, DMD, of SmilesNY in New York City, adds, "The first thing the dentist should do is rule out the odor coming from the teeth and gums. 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. 1. All of our new patient dental exams include an oral cancer evaluation. The first sign of oral cancer is often a small red or white spot or sore in the mouth. And it's not just diseasesdentists can discover everything from your bad habits to your favorite beverages simply by asking you to say, "Ahh! It's been more than a decade since I first got to know dentistry and let me tell you, time flies by quickly. Adjusting your medication dosage under professional supervision. The soft palate is the back top part of the mouth connected to the hard palate. While you can't safely remove tartar at home, with an excellent oral hygiene routine, plaque removal can be done by following these steps: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Smoking and that includes smokeless tobacco such as snuff. What can a dentist tell from your mouth? Cavities only form when the pH goes into the acidic range, namely below 5.5. Ho Ho Ho, bet you didn't know that did you!? This is because you're not getting enough oxygen while you're sleeping so you actively push your tongue up against the sides of your teeth so that you can get more air. Other symptoms include patches that change color on your tongue, lips, or mouth. Here are seven things that a dentist can tell from looking in your mouth. In addition, alcoholics have 'chipmunk red cheeks,' and the smell alone is usually a giveaway. Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include: Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner. This is due to the fact that mouth cancer affects the drainage of the lymph nodes. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. From the shape of your tongue, we can predict with probably 80-90% accuracy whether you have sleep apnea. 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. These color changes may be red, white, grey or dark in color. Conduct the self-examination in a well-lit room. 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. "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." What does a dentist do? Energy drinks, which tend to be even more acidic than soft drinks, may cause even more damage to tooth enamel,he says. Ladies need to be a little bit more diligent with their oral hygiene during this stressful period. While there are many symptoms a woman might exhibit if she's expecting, apparently, there's also a telltale sign in her mouth that a dentist can easily spot. This inflammation may play a role in heart attacks or strokes. A good dentist will always tell you if you have periodontal disease and the best way to manage this disease. Tooth decay (cavities) are an infectious disease. Since then I've developed a fondness for writing, which is how this all got started! Each situation in your mouth is unique and complex. Adenoviruseswhich are responsible for pharyngitis (sore throat) and tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils)and cytomegalovirus (CMV) have been some of the germs noted to cause palatal petechiae. 1. Highly-skilled and compassionate team of certified dental experts. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. You may be wondering if your dentist can tell if you're vaping or smoking. Protect your lips from the sun using SPF. Now this is a classic because we can tell right away by how many cavities you have! ", American Academy of Periodontology: "Mouth-Body Connection.". 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. Oral and cutaneous manifestations of viral and bacterial infections: Not only COVID-19 disease. Stephenson notes that, "This erosion happens almost exclusively on the tongue-side of the front teeth and can contribute to increased cavities." We use a multidisciplinary approach to expertly diagnose and treat these oral mucosal diseases. This can lead to periodontal (gum) disease and eventually loss of teeth. 7. Avoiding or limiting alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products. "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. Researchers are investigating the links between gum disease and cardiovascular disease. Research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. 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