While we know that regular brushing, flossing and general dental care can prevent common problems such as cavities and gum disease, your teeth can also give clues to underlying health problems. Find out what white pearls can reveal about your health.
1. Damaged tooth enamel can be a sign of eating disorders
Although bulimia and anorexia are more common in girls and women, recent studies show that about 13 percent of American women over the age of 50 have symptoms of eating disorders. Severe eating disorders can affect men too. This may interest you : Moonshine, Music and Makers Festival returns to Pikeville in 2022. Bulimia, a disorder that involves a cycle of binge eating and vomiting, often leads to tooth decay. Leila Jahangiri, clinical professor and chair of the Department of Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry said, “Acid produced in the stomach through vomiting destroys the enamel of the stomach or the thin layer of the teeth.”
Acid will cause damage to the back of the teeth but will usually protect the lower front teeth. Jahangiri said the damage can be so extensive that the enamel is completely worn away and the teeth become weak and can be severely chipped. Anorexia, a serious illness, is associated with weight loss, difficulty maintaining a healthy body weight and distorted body image. Many people with bulimia also suffer from gum disease, Jahangiri said, so people with eating disorders can have damage to their tooth enamel.
2. Pale gums can be a sign of anemia
Anemia is a condition that develops when healthy red blood cells are not produced in the body. A lack of red blood cells makes an anemic person weak and tired. It can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness, headache and irregular heartbeat. Postmenopausal women are more at risk of anemia than men due to iron loss. In the United States, about 10 percent of the 35 million people over 65 are considered chronically ill.
Domenica Sweier, clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, says that along with many other health conditions, anemia can cause gum tissue to become pinkish-white in color. See the article : Billie Eilish is buying works from an Albuquerque artist for a world tour. “The dentist can check the color of the gum, ask more questions and can refer the patient to a doctor,” Sweier said.
It is important to note, however, that anemia cannot be diagnosed from the color of the gums, but it should be diagnosed with a blood test.
3. Osteoporosis can put people at risk for tooth loss
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when bone density, density and structure in the body changes. It can lead to loss of bone strength and risk of fractures. Read also : Is your passion ready to become a business ?: Jennifer Juguilon-Hottle. Both men and women are affected, but it is more common in women as a result of hormonal changes that cause bone weakness, which can lead to fractures and other skeletal problems.
Fifty-four million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone density. Half are over the age of 50. Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease” because many do not know they have it until the bones in the body begin to break.
Erinne Kennedy, director of dental education at the Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine, said that along with age, genetics, hormonal changes and smoking, osteoporosis can be a risk factor for tooth loss.
Mary Grace Ash, a clinical professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and director of dental gerontology, said, “There is a lot of bone around the tooth, and symptoms of osteoporosis include tooth recession, mobility and increased pocket between the teeth,” she said. “And the dentist should be able to find it.”
Tooth loss, however, is not always a sign of bone loss. Many other conditions can cause tooth loss as people age.
4. Complications of kidney disease can lead to tooth loss
Kidneys are bean-shaped, hand-sized organs that filter excess water and waste and urinate. When the blood cannot be filtered properly, the result is kidney disease. Symptoms include dry mouth, taste changes and malnutrition.
People with kidney disease often have compromised immune systems and chronic inflammation. A weakened immune system is more prone to bacterial or fungal growth in the body, which can lead to periodontal disease, Sweier said.
Periodontal gum disease or gum disease is a disease that causes inflammation of the gums that causes bleeding, gum disease and tooth loss. Some studies have shown that those who suffer from hypothermia are more likely to have poor kidney function. Additionally, recent research has shown that inflammation of the gums allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
5. Oral thrush can be a sign of HIV
Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by a fungus called candida, which is not common in many people’s mouths. The problem arises when candida overgrows. This can lead to many things, including damaging the immune system. “During pregnancy, oral thrush can cause burning and pain in the mouth and throat, making it difficult to eat,” said Ash. Because people with HIV have compromised immune systems, oral thrush is sometimes a symptom of the disease. The National Institutes of Health estimates that 80 to 90 percent of people living with HIV will develop oral thrush.
If people with HIV practice good oral hygiene and have their mouths checked regularly, the symptoms of the disease can be detected and treated early.
6. Acid reflux can cause damage to tooth enamel
Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents or stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. Symptoms can range from non-existent to mild to heartburn, or what is known as acid indigestion, which is more common as people age. About 20 percent of Americans suffer from acid reflux. A dentist should be able to detect tooth erosion from acid reflux right away.
Jahangari said acid damage will appear on the back of the upper and some lower teeth. “You may feel a little bit of pitting or a bump on your back, but generally the tongue protects the front teeth from the ground,” she adds. The erosion of tooth enamel caused by acid reflux can cause sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks, chipping of teeth or tooth edges, discoloration or darkening of teeth, and loosening and loosening of teeth, which can lead to and changes in your bite or pain and irritation in your mouth.
7. Poor dental hygiene is linked to cognitive decline
Poor oral hygiene can be a sign of cognitive decline, especially in those who previously took good care of their teeth. As brushing, flossing and dental visits become more difficult, the ability to maintain good dental health diminishes, Ash said. Research has also linked tooth loss to a higher risk of dementia. Ash said that if an old man who previously took good care of his teeth has food debris in his mouth, the lack of self-care can indicate a decline. Caregiver support may be required.
8. Teeth grinding can be a sign of sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes breathing to stop or become shallow during sleep. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes and can occur 30 or more times per hour. The National Sleep Institute found that 1 in 4 people with sleep disorders also grind their teeth at night. Symptoms include snoring, grinding teeth and teeth.
Untreated sleep disorders are linked to serious health problems including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, liver problems and possibly even dementia. “It’s amazing what we can learn from studying teeth,” Kennedy said, “and what we learn can save your life.”
Based in New York, Barbara Sadick is a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, US News & World Report and the Washington Post, among other publications.
