Our Teeth Tell A Story – How Oral Health Affects Overall Health

From a young age, we are taught the importance of oral hygiene. What you may be surprised to know is that doctors can use the state of your teeth and gums to determine your overall health as well. By analyzing your oral health, a doctor can spot warning signs for serious illness and notice deficiencies in certain nutrients.

 

Dentists are sometimes the first medical professionals to notice that a patient could have diabetes. This is because undiagnosed diabetics are three to four times more likely to develop periodontal disease; once they get on a proper diet and take medication, the problem usually clears up. When diabetes goes uncontrolled, it makes it difficult for the body to fight infection and results in inflammation of the gums, thrush, dry mouth, and a specific breath odor associated with diabetes.   

 

If a patient begins to lose their teeth, it could be a sign of osteoporosis. The decrease in bone density that causes brittle, easily broken bones is also responsible for loss of teeth and a weakened jawbone. Inflamed gums can be a sign of kidney problems, and the combination of inflamed gums with a spongy texture and strong red color can indicate leukemia. 

 

A variety of vitamin deficiencies can be diagnosed through analysis of the mouth. Gum disease and jaw fractures can be correlated to a lack of Vitamin D. A person with low levels of Vitamin C will notice bruising and bleeding of the gums and perhaps even tooth loss. Understanding the relationship between your oral health and your overall health allows you to avoid serious health issues that could develop.