Q: What can a dentist see when he looks into my mouth?
A: When your dentist looks into your mouth, he or she can see more about the condition of your general health than just the condition of your teeth and gums. For instance, if your gums are purple, beefy red or bright, they may be signs of heart disease. If they bleed at the slightest touch, that could be a symptom of Type 2 diabetes. The hormonal changes that come with pregnancy can make gums swell.
Fiery red swollen gums that never heal can be an indication of leukemia, which is a cancer of the blood. Kidney disease sometimes manifests itself with a sweet ammonia-type aroma in a person’s breath.
If you have osteoporosis, which means your bone density is declining, and it has not yet been diagnosed, your dentist may be the first to pick it up in dental x-rays that show air pockets and dead bone. Likewise, gums that have pulled away from the teeth and teeth that are ground down or fractured may indicate an abnormally high stress level. Upper front teeth that are worn thin and have lost significant enamel, may be a sign of bulimia, an eating disorder characterized by binge eating and then vomiting.
So, when your dentist examines your mouth, expect it to take a few minutes. He or she is observing and processing a lot of information during each examination.
If you, your family, or friends need dental care, we would be honored to provide you with state-of-the-art dental care in our modern dental practice. Refer someone you love to someone you trust!
Presented as a service to the community by Doctors Hoover and Yanda,
39 Milford Drive, Hudson, Ohio 44236. 330-650-0360.
