What dental hygienists can say by looking in your mouth

You probably think of the cavities and the health of the gums when you go to a dental appointment, but professionals who look in your mouth can detect much more than that.

“You can say a lot about someone’s health and habits just looking inside their mouths,” Tajah Ferjuste’s recorded dental hygienist told HuffPost. “The mouth is really a window on overall health. As a hygienists, we are trained to recognize signs that indicate deeper problems. ”

The mouth is also considered to be the “gateway” of the body, because it can be the source of problems in many different systems. The link between oral well-being and general well-being extends to heart health, endocrine health, digestion, fertility and more.

“The bacteria in your mouth do not stay in your mouth – they are connected to your whole body,” said the registered dental hygienist and Amber Auger coach. “Small changes in oral care can have training effects on your total health.”

So what exactly can he deduce a dental hygienist from you from your mouth? We asked some professionals to share what they have noticed.

“By examining someone’s mouth, I can often say if it is dehydrated, indicated by a lack of saliva or a dry mouth,” said Martelle Coke, a registered dental hygienist and founder of the All Smiles Matter campaign. “While the dry mouth can also be caused by allergies or certain drugs, the oral cavity can really be a window on a person’s overall health.”

Dehydration can be an indication of autoimmune diseases and other problems.

“The dry mouth may indicate the side effects of drugs or certain health problems, and this often leads to an increased risk of cavity,” noted Allison Cuevas, founder of dental hygiene services Bright Bite.

“Looking at someone’s teeth, you can say if they are not dental silk just by examining your gums,” said Brittany Glauz, a dental hygienist recorded in alternative practice. “The current signs include bleeding during cleaning, especially between the teeth, which suggests that the plate and the bacteria have accumulated due to a lack of silk wire.”

She noted that the red, inflated or inflamed gums are also strong gingivitis indicators resulting from poor interdental cleaning.

“Tartar accumulation between teeth and below the gum is a clear sign that these areas have not been regularly cleaned,” said Glauz. “The bad breath and the cavities that are formed between the teeth can also indicate incoherent or absent silk habits.”

In the same vein, dental hygienists can say if you are someone who makes dental silk regularly, because they do not show these signs.

“On the other hand, the healthy gums are pink and firm, which often reflects good daily hygiene,” said Ferjuste.

“The front or flattened front teeth, shavings or wear marks generally mean that the person crushed the teeth – especially at night,” said the registered dental hygienist Whitney Diffoggio. “It is a common sign that they could benefit from a night guard and discover the cause of their habit.”

Gride your teeth at night can do long -term damage, so it is useful to identify and solve the problem as soon as possible. Dental hygienists notice worn teeth, microfractures and more.

“I can see stress in their jaw, whether tight or crushed, thanks to carrying facets, chipped teeth or jaw muscles,” said Auger.

“As a dental hygienist, there are several signs in the mouth that can indicate the breathing of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea,” said Glauz. “These include a scalloped language, enlarged or lucleing tonsils, a high and narrow mouth, breathing or snoring and signs of dental grinding, (aka) Bruxism.”

If there is excessive wear on surfaces or particular areas of the teeth, this can reflect certain models or sleep problems.

“Although a diagnosis must come from a medical supplier, these oral indicators can be significant clues that cause more in -depth evaluation and help to connect patients to the care they need,” said Glauz.

“The use of tobacco, whether smoking or vaping, also appears in the mouth,” said Ferjust. “The coloring, the recession of the gums and a higher risk of mouth cancer are all red flags that we are looking for.”

In addition, drug use can have a significant impact on teeth and mouth. Certain drugs, for example, can cause the dry mouth or become very acidic in the mouth, thus eroding the enamel of the teeth.

“Patients who have acid reflux or who suffer from bulimia often have signs of erosion,” said Kari Carter-Lerelus, a registered dental hygienist. “Basically, acid eats enamel out of the back of their teeth, exposing softer layers of dental structure.”

Thin enamel may indicate chronic vomiting, acid reflux or frequent consumption of particularly acidic food and drinks.

“The rear surfaces of the upper front teeth are the place where gastric acid tends to get in touch,” said Glauz. “This can cause teeth that seem smooth, shiny or thinner than normal. Patients can also undergo increased teeth sensitivity as the protective enamel layer wears out. ”

People who breathe mainly through the mouth, rather than their nose, have an increased risk of cavities and gum disease. There are other signs that dental hygienists can see.

“I can say if someone is a bitterness in the mouth by dry tissues, red and inflamed gums along the upper front teeth or an accumulation of high plate,” said Auger. “The mouth is a window on the body.”

“Eating habits leave clues – think of the sticky plate of the frequent snack or models of coffee or tea spots,” said Auger.

As indicated above, the state of the enamel of a person may also indicate a frequent consumption of particularly acidic food and drinks, such as citrus and soda.

“Certain models of disintegration could suggest high consumption of sugar or frequent snacks,” said Jasmine Williams, a creator of dental dental and registered health content. “The patterns of coloring were talking to me about coffee, tea, wine or tobacco consumption.”

“It is easy to say if someone does not brush, dental silk and scratch of the tongue regularly – especially on the basis of plaque levels, gum health and even the freshness of their breathing,” said Diffoggio. “There is generally a distinctive smell of bacteria.”

Insufficient or inconsistent oral hygiene habits can cause gingivitis or more advanced gum disease.

“When you look at someone and see signs like an accumulation of heavy plaque, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath or visible decomposition, it is generally a sign that their oral health – and perhaps overall – is not prioritized,” said Emily R., a dental hygienist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts. “Taking a few minutes a day to take care of your teeth is not just a good smile; It is an essential part of maintaining your general well-being. ”

Dental professionals can recognize the different ways in which a person’s teeth may have been changed over time.

“I can generally identify different dental work that someone had – whether obstructions, crowns, implants or orthodontic treatment,” said the dental hygienist recorded Iman Zayed. “The quality and age of these restorations tell a story about their dental history.”

“Oral health often reflects systemic health,” said Ferjust. “For example, frequent cavities may indicate unmatched diabetes.”

Underlying stress and inflammation can also appear in the mouth.

“I can have an overview of someone’s overall inflammation status from the state of their gums,” said Auger. “Uncontrolled periodontal inflammation is not only a gum problem – it is often linked to systemic health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or autoimmune disorders.”

Looking beyond the gums, Zayed noted that the state of the language is another potential health indicator.

“Changes in color, texture or appearance can report vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune conditions or even early signs of mouth cancer,” she said. “For example, the geographic language (harmless but distinctive patches), oral thrush (fungal infection) or leukoplakie (white plates that could be precancerous).”