They notice a lot more than just cavities and gum health.
When you go to the dentist, youre likely focused on matters like cavities and gum health.
But dental experts can detect a lot more from your exam.
A lot about someones overall health can be observed just by looking in their mouth,Dr.
Kami Hoss, a dentist and author ofIf Your Mouth Could Talk, told HuffPost.
In fact, over 100 systemic conditions and many medications can have oral manifestations.
Thats why routine dental checkups are so important.
So what exactly can a dentist infer about you from the state of your mouth?
We asked some professionals to share what theyve seen.
Erin Fraundorf, an orthodontist and founder of BOCA Orthodontic + Whitening Studio.
Gum tissue that is not flossed regularly looks red, inflamed and may bleed.
She noted that healthy gums are pink and smooth with a knife-edge instead of puffy.
Highly acidic and sugary foods and drinks can also contribute to gum disease.
If You Have Diabetes
People with diabetes often have inflamed gums.
Diabetic patients have a higher prevalence of gum disease.
Thumb-sucking may significantly alter not only a patients teeth but their jaws, Fraundorf explained.
Dry mouth, sores and bleeding gums are common manifestations, as well as changes in the tongue.
Light pink, pale gums can be a sign of anemia.
Right-handed patients typically dont brush their upper right teeth as well as they do their left side.
The reverse is true for lefties.
The mouth can also reveal early signs of certain gastrointestinal diseases.
Crohns disease can cause swelling of the gums and mouth ulcers before any intestinal symptoms appear.
Oral manifestations like these can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions.
For instance, signs of leukemia may present as gum overgrowth and bleeding.
Oral manifestations like these can be critical for early diagnosis and treatment of serious conditions.
Oral cancer can also manifest in the mouth with visible oral lesions or growths.
The patient should then visit an oral surgeon for a consultation and biopsy of any suspicious tissue.
Jarrett L. Manning, founder of JLM Dental Studio.
This means the disease process may present as abnormal mouth lesions that dentists are trained to detect.
The list of potential deeper issues includes various autoimmune diseases and other inflammatory conditions.
These spots may be tender or painful and may lead to mouth ulcers.
She noted that fishy breath may also indicate liver failure.
Your dental appointment might also lead to the discovery of bone issues.
Dentists can spot this sort of excess wear on the biting surfaces of teeth.
Ilona Casellini, founder of Swiss Quality Smile.
If You Smoke
Lifestyle choices leave distinct signs in the mouth too, Sands said.
Drug use can also have a noticeable impact on the teeth and other parts of the mouth.
Alcohol tends to dry out the mouth, making people with drinking issues more susceptible to cavities.
He emphasized that maintaining oral health is crucial not just for a beautiful smile but also for overall well-being.
Awareness and proactive care can significantly impact someones quality of life.
Examining the mouth might also reveal signs of mental impairment or decline, particularly for older patients.
Patients with cognitive disorders such as dementia or Alzheimers often exhibit poor oral hygiene, Casellini noted.
They might forget to brush or have lost manual dexterity.This article originally appeared onHuffPost.
