Also, your dentist or periodontist may recommend that you schedule dental exams more frequently -- for example, every three months -- if you have a history of diabetes and gum disease. For tips on how to prevent mouth cancer from occurring, keep reading! Other symptoms include patches that change color on your tongue, lips, or mouth. 718-358-3307, Hours: What can a dentist tell from your mouth? - The Healthy Journal 7. Drinking lemon water daily probably won't erode your enamel though. Swollen and receding gums can be an early sign of diabetes, and sores in your mouth that don't heal can sometimes indicate oral cancer. Your front teeth on the upper may not be touching the lower teeth. But, according to Wolff, you'll have at least some awareness that this has happened to you since you can end up with some "soreness" near the back of the roof of your mouth. https://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/oral-screening-pdq. Saliva helps keep a balance in our mouths to help clean away cavity forming bacteria, from leftover food. You'd be more prone to gum disease and your healing will usually be delayed. "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.". Well sort of is the answer. HIV/AIDS:Oral problems, such as painful mucosal lesions, are common in people who have HIV/AIDS. Research suggests that heart disease, clogged arteries and stroke might be linked to the inflammation and infections that oral bacteria can cause. While the causal relationship between diabetes and periodontitis is less clear, it is still important to understand how these conditions increase risk. It mostly affects the softest top part of your mouth. They release acids that eat away at a tooth's enamel, eventually weakening it and forming cavities. These changes can, in turn, increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. As soon as your dentist sees blood from just touching your gums, the verdict has already been decided. 12 Things Your Dentist Knows About You Just By Looking In Your Mouth However, that changes if the condition shows up in children, as it can be one of the signs that a child has been abused. I graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2016 but prior to going to dental school I was already working in the dental field. Whether you're stressed out while you sleep. Male X Chromosome Is Silenced in Some Cancer Types, Jane Fonda Shares Update on Cancer Diagnosis, Colonoscopies May Not Be as Effective as We Think, New Report Shows Overall Decline in Cancer Deaths, Breast Implants Linked to More Cancers: Details, Why Cancer Cases Are Increasing in People Under 50, Drug Cures Cancer for 100% of Patients in Trial. The first sign of oral cancer is often a small red or white spot or sore in the mouth.It can appear on your lips, gums, tongue, cheek lining, or in other parts of your mouth. "However, those who did so past the age of seven or eight may show significant changes to their bite or the position of their teeth. Can you tell me about your dental nurses/assistants? What's in your mouth can reveal a lot more about your health that you might have thought. Journal of the American Dental Association. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Because alcohol has such a distinct smell, your dentist can tell if you are a heavy drinker. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2017.07.032. That's because they may have a decreased ability to fight bacterial infections, including those that occur in the mouth. Cavities and plaque build up are two things that they look for but they can know much more than that from just looking into your mouth. American Dental Association: "Oral Cancer. Yes, the teeth grinding will damage your teeth so you should schedule a consultation to have a night guard made so that it can protect your teeth. People who are stressed out will have TMJ pain or problems. Cavities only form when the pH goes into the acidic range, namely below 5.5. Tues: 9:00am - 6:00pm Bone loss will show up on x-rays. What can a dentist tell from your mouth? For instance, research studies have identified an association between periodontitis, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Factors that can increase the risk of oral cancer include: The number of people diagnosed with mouth and throat cancers has been rising over the last several years, though it isn't clear why. ", "Alcoholic patients are cavity-prone because alcohol tends to dry the mouth out," says David Tarica, DMD, of 34th Street Dental in New York City. Oral and cutaneous manifestations of viral and bacterial infections: Not only COVID-19 disease. Palatal petechiae is bruising on the roof of your mouth. Oral health can be a contributing factor related to several common diseases and conditions. Tooth decay (cavities) are an infectious disease. Visually examine the skin for any abnormal growths or moles. Stephenson adds, "Surprisingly, iron deficiencies show up in many ways in your mouth. This article has been viewed 97,128 times. Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose. Fisher-Owens SA, Lukefahr JL, Tate AR, et al. Your teeth may be worn down or chipped if you've been unconsciously grinding or clenching them. Some dentists use special tests in addition to the oral exam to screen for oral cancer. "Over the years, I've had at least a dozen patients who I identified as diabetic and they didn't know it.". American Cancer Society. A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school. 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. In addition, alcoholics have 'chipmunk red cheeks,' and the smell alone is usually a giveaway. They may be the first to notice the symptoms and will refer you to a primary care doctor for follow-up. Stirneman adds that most women are typically pretty far along before their gums start bleeding, so it's not as though a dentist will magically "discover" that a patient is pregnant. "Often . And both sinus infections and toothaches can show symptoms of pressure. But Silverstrom is quick to point out that acid erosion on the back of a patient's teeth does not always indicate an eating disorder. 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. To prevent damage to your teeth and keep them apart so your jaw muscles can relax, your dentist can fit you with a custom mouth guard to wear while you sleep. Drugs used to treat osteoporosis carry a small risk of damage to the bones of the jaw. Bruxism (teeth grinding) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic A salivary gland dysfunction can lead to dry mouth, or very low levels of saliva. Well, its really quite simple, we just need to look at your tongue. As an intern then a psychometrist and counseling trainee for a behavioral health department, Rven collaborated with pain clinic medical staff to assist in the care of patients dealing with pain. The goal of oral cancer screening is to detect mouth cancer or precancerous lesions that may lead to mouth cancer at an early stage when cancer or lesions are easiest to remove and most likely to be cured. All of our new patient dental exams include an oral cancer evaluation. 2021;39(3):384-404. ", CDC: "Public Health Implications of Chronic Periodontal Infection in Adults.". 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Getting more iron will solve these problems. One potential link is that inflammation in the mouth increases inflammation in other parts of the body, including the arteries. That is dental anxiety or dental phobia happening. Hint: That is the reason why you can't eliminate seeing dentists in your life! 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. You also don't seem to have very much calculus build up. An increasing number of these cancers are associated with the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV). Smoking: Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors associated with the development of periodontal disease. Offenbacher has conducted several studies on the link between periodontitis and an increased risk of delivering a premature baby. If you feel pressure or pain, it is probably your sinus. As part of a comprehensive oral healthy exam, a dentist may check several aspects of a patients overall health to see if indicators are out of normal ranges. 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. You have oral cancer. If the pressure or pain increases just by doing this, the pain is most likely not tooth-related and he should see his ENT or primary care physician before coming to the dentist," he advises. By treating gum disease and reducing the inflammation in your mouth, you may be able to lower your risk of stroke or heart attack, Offenbacher says. The spread of bacteria from mouth to mouth, is part of the reason why tooth decay (cavities) are the single most common chronic childhood disease. Dental implant surgery is a procedure that replaces tooth roots with metal, screwlike posts and replaces damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that look and function much like real ones. ", MORE:6 Mistakes You Make Every Time You Brush Your Teeth. Accessed Oct. 14, 2019. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Drago F, Ciccarese G, Merlo G, et al. 2017;140(2):e20171487. For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database. Oral and dental aspects of child abuse and neglect. Due to the unfortunate nature of dentistry, there isn't really any true home remedies that will get rid of dental problems. To prevent or treat dry mouth, your dental professional may recommend: Increasing water consumption to prevent dehydration, especially before bed. They won't be able to feel one side of their face as if they just had an injection with novocaine even though they didn't get any dental treatment done. 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. This means that if you have any type of oral surgery procedure like a tooth removal, the time it would take for your gums and your bone to heal would be slower than normal. So, visiting the dentist regularly is not only good for your dental health, but your overall health too. "Many times, imbalances in sugar will show a rapid change in the health of your gums, including increased swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity," says Handschuh. "The first signs of oral cancer can be seen from the following: unexplained bleeding in the mouth, white, red, or speckled patches in the mouth, a change in the way your teeth fit together, swellings, thickenings, lumps or bumps or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth," explains Michael Apa, DDS, of Rosenthal Apa Group in New York City. frequent dry mouth. For instance, if your regular doctor notices an irregular lump in your mouth or throat, they may refer you to one of our oral medicine / cancer specialists. What Can a Dentist Tell About Your Cardiovascular Health by Taking a Look in Your Mouth, at Your Teeth, and at Your Gums? About cytomegalovirus (CMV). 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. You flossed right before your appointmentand that's the only time. Unlike the hard palate, the soft palate does not contain any bonesit's flexible, as it contains tissue and muscle fibers. You are pregnant. All rights reserved. Alice Lee, DDS, of Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY, adds, "We can sometimes see protruding front teeth, and this can impact how kids' jaws are coming together and growing and can also impact their speech. Overview. Accessed Aug. 14, 2019. Here's more of what you need to know about palatal petechiae. Thurs: 9:00am - 6:00pm Cavities are infections resulting from bacteria (most commonly Streptococcus mutans) feasting on the sugar and starches that remain after you've eaten. However, one condition you may be less familiar with is palatal petechiae, which can appear on the soft palate. Mouth cancer can affect almost any part of your mouth, including your lips, gums, and tongue, and it can be treated if you detect it early. 16 Things Your Dentist Can Tell From Just Looking At Your Mouth The deep pockets that form between the teeth and gums as part of the disease offer a favorable environment for proliferation of plaque bacteria and facilitate entry of bacteria into the bloodstream. It may also show up with mononucleosis (also known as mono)a viral infection that leads to symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. They offer treatments in: Preventive dentistry. For tips on how to prevent mouth cancer from occurring, keep reading! We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 97,128 times. doi:10.1542/peds.2017-1487. Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open . HIV will have oral manifestations. "Often, diseases like cancer, anemia and diabetes will first be identified by the dentist in a regular examination, and this saves lives." References. Oral cancer screening is an examination performed by a dentist or doctor to look for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions in your mouth.