Teeth Signal Other Breakdowns In The Body, So Dental Visits Are More Than Just Mouth
Teeth Signal Other Breakdowns In The Body, So Dental Visits Are More Than Just Mouth
For many of us, it’s one of those things we don’t actually get around to. Often it’s because it’s not a particularly pleasant thought; we ignore the fact that the more regular the appointments, the less likely there’ll be news we don’t want to know, or treatments we don’t want to have. Then the only reason we do make it to the dentist of course, is because of the unbearable pain of a toothache or raging gum infection.
The expense is another really common reason for putting the dentist on the back-burner.
Indeed it’s generally not what’s considered cheap; but anything that’s worth never is. In the scheme of things, not only does it absolutely fall into the category of prevention being better than cure, but realistically, those six-monthly visits that keep our oral health on track – including a professional clean – averages out to probably twenty bucks a week.
We’ll routinely spend more than that on stuff that’s not even healthy for us.
Interestingly, we’re suspicious of things that are too cheap. Psychologically, we attach pretty much no value at all to something that’s free. In that sense, we put dentists between a rock and a hard place when really, we should have them as our rock.
We only have the confidence to put our best foot forward when we have the smile to match – and only a dentist can properly keep cavities, gingivitis and periodontal disease away. They’re three basics for them; and all easily remedied when they’re spotted early. Untreated, they’re three things that’ll certainly wipe that beautiful smile off your face.
From overlooked gum disease to mouth lesions and painful ulcerations, oral anomalies are critical indicators of broader health concerns.
Hippocrates defined health as a body in balance. He defined the human body as a system of four coordinated humours: blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. Each had its own qualities of hot or cold, wet or dry, and connected to the four elements of fire, air, earth and water. These were then inscrutably linked to the conditions of the environment of his patient. It was from this perspective, rather than a localised condition in a particular part of the body, that this ancient Greek physician set about to remedy the ‘dis-ease’ of an entire system out of balance.
Seems that science has put us back on track with the undeniable proof that for dental professionals, there’s a story that comes out of the mouth without a single word having being uttered. It’s not unusual for a patient to be oblivious to what’s going on with their health, other than something that’s sore, recurring, not healing or just downright weird.
Undoubtedly there’s no shame in that; it’s what dental and medical check-ups are for.
The mouth is not just a teeth signal phenomenon. The colour, texture and coating of just your tongue can tell an array of health issues. From vitamin and mineral deficiencies to celiac disease, hypothyroidism, auto immune diseases and cancer, the indicators will be there. Bumps and patches are often harmless, but only a dental professional in preference to Google has the expertise to know; and early detection of anything is always key.
Painful mouth ulcers (aphthous stomatitis) are often a sign of an inflammatory bowel disease, like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Both can have sporadic symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhoea for instance, so they can remain undiagnosed for some time, being self-attributed to something else like a dodgy meal or too much stress.
We blame stress for a lot of things because it’s so insidious nobody really asks much about it, and we don’t question it as a reason.
Gum disease is an inflammatory condition, and a portal to the bloodstream. Heart disease is inflammatory too, so it’s no wonder that it shows up in the mouth. Each will worsen the other in some diabolical, biological tit-for-tat attack; so it’s not worth putting off spending time in the chair with your dentist.
Commonly, osteoporosis goes unnoticed until a bone is broken when it probably shouldn’t have been. But it shows up in teeth and gums before anything’s cracked or snapped. Treating it is simpler than hobbling around in a moon boot for eight weeks, or working out how to wipe your bum with two broken wrists.
Other illnesses and disorders your teeth signal so your dentist can detect include diabetes, human papillomavirus, Huntington’s disease, lupus, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. That’s quite a list to not know about, whiling away the hours wondering why your mouth and teeth feel funny.
Even if you think your oral health is fine, it’s better to have a professional assure you than rely on not even knowing what you don’t even know. Just make the appointment. You’ll be informed, if not relieved that you did.
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