Your mouth: A looking glass into your overall health

This story was written for our sponsor, North Carolina Dental Society.

Did you know that your mouth can reveal a lot about your overall health and can be a looking glass into more than just oral issues?

Here are some signs and symptoms, and what they could mean about your body's bigger picture.

Bad Breath

Bad breath can simply be a result of eating something stinky for lunch. However, if it persists despite proper oral hygiene habits, it could be a sign of any number of things.

Pay attention to what you're eating, what medications you're taking, and whether or not you have a cold or an infection. If you and your dentist rule out some of these basic causes, chronic bad breath could be a sign of faulty tooth restorations, stomach reflux issues and even some cancers, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Before jumping to any conclusions, make sure you consult your dentist for an accurate diagnosis.

Inflamed Gums

Swollen and inflamed gums are usually a result of plaque buildup. Incorrect brushing or flossing techniques can also cause swelling if you're doing it too roughly. Infections, ulcers, burning your mouth with hot food or drinks, and allergic reactions to products can all cause inflamed gums as well. Hormonal changes, especially those during pregnancy, can increase your body’s blood flow and also result in inflamed or swollen gums.

However, chronically inflamed gums can be a sign of serious conditions like HIV, lupus or diabetes, especially if your gums are routinely bleeding.

"Inflamed gums are not an immediate cause for alarm. Children with newly adjusted braces, someone who has brushed too hard, or biting something sharp can all give rise to inflamed gums as a result of day-to-day activities," said Dr. Ashley Ayuso, a dentist in Winston-Salem.
"However, chronically inflamed and/or bleeding gums could be a sign of a more serious condition and you should consult your dentist for a more in-depth look."

Dry Mouth

We all get the occasional tickle in our throat or become parched after a long period of not drinking anything, but if you aren't producing enough saliva on a daily basis, you could be experiencing dry mouth.

Symptoms include bad breath, hoarseness, dryness or feelings of stickiness in your throat, and even lipstick sticking to your teeth.

Aging, medications, chemotherapy, tobacco and drug use, and alcohol consumption can cause dry mouth, but dry mouth can also be a result of nerve damage or other health conditions.

Dry mouth can be a symptom of certain conditions like diabetes, stroke, yeast infections in your mouth (thrush) and Alzheimer's disease. If you are experiencing dry mouth and are dealing with (or believe you are dealing with) one of these conditions, seek out the opinion of your dentist or a healthcare professional.

Cold Sores and Ulcers

Oral herpes or cold sores can be annoying, painful and embarrassing, but they usually heal themselves within seven to 10 days.

Herpes is a virus, which means it can spread, so be careful when sharing food containers and utensils, kissing and engaging in other close contact behaviors.

Though cold sores are common and for the most part, uncomfortable at most, if they last longer than 10 days they should be screened by a dentist or doctor as the sore could be a sign of other diseases such as cancer.

Other lesions, called ulcers, on your lips, gums, tongue or inside your mouth seldom require immediate medical attention but if they become enlarged, painful and red they could be a sign of a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics. Ulcers can also be a symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease.

Giving up smoking, stress and anxiety, and genetics can all contribute to the onset of ulcers.

"Cold sores and ulcers can be pretty common, but there are occasions when these are cause for worry or a symptom of a bigger infection," Ayuso said. "It's important you see a dentist or healthcare professional to have these areas evaluated, specifically if they do not go away on their own in seven to 10 days, continue to come back, or get worse with time.”

Remember the next time you open wide and say "ah" for your dentist that he may be taking a look at more than just your teeth. If you are concerned about any of these symptoms, make sure to discuss them with your dentist.

This story was written for our sponsor, North Carolina Dental Society