When your dentist looks into your mouth, teeth are not the only things they see. In fact, your dentist can tell a great deal about your health by looking into your mouth! Many dentists call the mouth “the window to the body”, and rightfully so. Just by looking into your mouth, your dentist has the ability to diagnose you with a variety of illnesses.
There are many different things that a dentist can tell just by having you say “ahhh,” but here are a few examples:
Pregnancy
During an oral examination, your dentist may come across red growths on the gums and between the teeth, which can be a sign of pregnancy. These growths are referred to as pregnancy tumors and only show up in 5% of women. These growths aren’t dangerous, but can indicate increased sensitivity. So, a trip to your dentist may result in a trip to your OBGYN.
Anemia
If your gums have lost that reddish hue and have become pink or even white, then you could be lacking iron. If your dentist takes a peek into your mouth and sees discoloration in your gums, it may tip them off that you have anemia.
Diabetes
While you might be unaware that you have diabetes, your dentist might know just by looking in your mouth. People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing abscesses. While healthy people can still get abscesses, it is a common side effect for diabetic patients.
Autoimmune Diseases
If you have sore red spots in your mouth, you could have an autoimmune disease. Diseases like Lupus and Crohn’s disease can often manifest themselves as sore red spots in your mouth. Not only do these sores exhibit bodily health issues, they can also cause serious oral health issues. These sores can lead to mouth ulcers, which can be dangerous and painful, so if you have these sores, you should visit a dentist.
The next time you want to skip the dentist because your teeth look great and you don’t have any cavities, think again. By going to the dentist you afford yourself the opportunity to not just get an oral health opinion, but also an overall health opinion.