As we head into the New Year, here is a list of general health-related conditions that show warning signs in your mouth. Sure you want to keep your dental health strong and many people know that gum disease is connected with heart disease. I encourage you to have more awareness of your dental health in the new year and that includes these warning signs.
Flat, worn teeth and headaches are signs of stress and TMJ. People often grind their teeth in their sleep when they are experiencing stress. This stress level, left unchecked, can lead to other physical and emotional issues. And, TMJ… you’ve seen plenty about TMJ treatment on my blog. If you have worn teeth and bruxism, please see me for a TMJ evaluation.
Cracking teeth is a warning sign for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Stomach acid is a major factor in tooth erosion. Of course not brushing away sugars will cause your tooth enamel to erode, too. But if you take good care of your mouth with brushing and flossing and you still have tooth erosion, you may want to look for treatment for GERD.
A mouth sore that don’t heal is a sign of oral cancer. An oral cancer screening is part of your regular checkup and it is a good reason to keep your appointments for cleanings and check ups.
Gums that grow over teeth are a sign of issues with prescription medication. Your medication for seizures, heart disease or autoimmune diseases could be causing this reaction if the medication is not adjusted properly.
And, a dry mouth is a sign of diabetes. There are many early warning signs of diabetes and one small tip that you might need to see a doctor for a diabetes screening is a persistent lack of saliva.
Watch for these warning signs as you manage the home care of your dental health. Please see me regularly for check ups this year as well, so we can make sure your dental health is at its peak.
