The condition of your teeth, mouth, and gums can tell the dentist about health problems. After examining, it can reveal eating disorders, sleep problems, severe stress, and more. We have given some examples of diseases that can be identified by looking at your teeth.
Anxiety or poor sleep
Stress, anxiety, or a sleep disorder can cause tooth grinding. According to a study, bruxism (teeth grinding) occurs in people with poor sleep.
“Tooth surfaces flatten and teeth wear out,” said Tufts University School of Dental Medicine professor Charles Rankin, noting that a healthy tooth reaches a certain height and has an uneven, bumpy surface. “Teeth grinding at night causes the height of the teeth to decrease.”
If you find yourself grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist to get you a night guard that will protect your teeth from wear and tear. You should also seek the advice of a psychotherapist to identify the causes.
Eating Disorders
Some types of disordered eating, such as anorexia and bulimia, may be obvious to your dentist. Studies show that stomach acid from laxatives, bowel cleanses, and other things can erode both tooth enamel and dentin, the softer layer underneath enamel. Erosion is usually found on the back of the teeth, Rankin says.
But while enamel erosion can prompt a dentist to consider eating disorders, this is not always the case. The appearance of erosion can be genetic or congenital. It can also be caused by acid reflux. In any case, if you find yourself with enamel erosion, contact a gastroenterologist.
Poor nutrition
Coffee, tea, sauces, energy drinks and even dark berries leave their mark on our teeth. Chocolate, candy, and dark carbonated drinks such as Coca-Cola can also cause dark spots on your teeth. However, if you can’t live without coffee and other problematic stain-causing foods, there are steps you can take to avoid it.
“Drink coffee and drinks through a straw so they don’t touch your teeth,” Rankin says. “It also helps to rinse and brush your teeth immediately after eating.”
We all know that sugar causes dental problems. But, according to Rankin, if patients brushed their teeth or simply rinsed their mouths every time they ate candy, the risk of oral problems would be much lower. However, doctors advise to abandon products that adversely affect tooth enamel and health in general.
Alcohol abuse
Alcohol abuse can lead to serious oral problems, and dentists can smell alcohol on a patient’s breath, Rankin said.
A 2015 study published in the Journal of Periodontology also found some connection between food and oral health. Brazilian researchers found that gum disease and periodontitis increase with frequent alcohol consumption. The study also found that people who drink excessively have poor oral hygiene. In addition, alcohol slows down the production of saliva and causes the mouth to dry out.
Heart disease and diabetes
“Among people who don’t know if they have diabetes or not, poor gum health has been found to be linked to diabetes,” says Columbia University professor of dental medicine Panos Papapanu. “This is a pretty critical stage where a dentist can help you identify undiagnosed diabetes.”
The link between periodontitis and diabetes is not yet fully understood, but researchers say diabetes increases the risk of gum disease, and gum disease negatively impacts the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
In addition, people with diabetes are three times more likely to have severe gum disease. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or cardiovascular disease, be sure to practice good oral hygiene. It is possible that bacteria can get under the inflamed gums and further exacerbate these diseases.
Ekaterina Romanova