IS YOUR MOUTH TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?
Problems with your mouth, teeth and gums are usually a dental issue – but occasionally they could be a warning you shouldn’t ignore, says NATASHA HOLT
NOT many people look forward to a trip to their dentist – but as well as spotting tooth decay and gum disease, it could actually save your life.
“What most people don’t know is your dentist can be your first line of defence in spotting symptoms of wider health problems in the rest of the body,” says Neil Sikka, chief dental officer at Bupa Dental Care.
So what are the red flags you should always be on the lookout for?
BLUEISH LIPS Could signal: POOR CIRCULATION
Lips with a blueish tinge to them can signify more than just that you are feeling cold.
“Any unusual appearance of blueish lips could indicate many things, for example, poor circulation or anaemia,” says Neil.
“I would always encourage a patient with very pale lips, lining of the mouth or tongue to visit their doctor and get a blood test and a heart check.”
GUM DISEASE Could signal: DIABETES
“It’s well documented that people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing gum disease,” says Neil.
“Now, research is starting to show that the link works both ways.
“Gum disease and infection can lead to an increase in your blood sugar levels and influence your risk of developing diabetes.
“Dentists aren’t just looking for issues they can physically see, they are trained to identify odour coming from the teeth and gums – for example the smell of pear drops is often indicative of uncontrolled diabetes.”
WORN DOWN TEETH Could be: STRESS
Severe stress can cause us to grind or clench our teeth and over time this can cause serious damage.
“It can lead to problems with your jaw joint and bite,” says Susie Lloyd, dentist at Holt Dental Care in Norfolk.
or worn-down teeth, sensitive teeth, broken teeth and broken fillings are all symptoms of teeth grinding or clenching, which can be caused by stress or anxiety.
“Your dentist might recommend a mouthguard to prevent sleeprelated teeth grinding or urge you to see your GP for help managing stress.”
EXCESS PLAQUE Could signal: A LUNG CONDITION
Neil says: “If your mouth contains a lot of bacterial plaque, medics believe the bacteria could potentially spread to the lungs, causing infection or aggravate existing conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OCPD].
“So if a patient has poor oral health and there is evidence suggesting it has potentially triggered lung issues such as a persistent cough or chronic mucus production, we advise them to see a doctor.”
WORN ENAMEL Could signal: BULIMIA
Dentists can often tell if a patient is bulimic by the way the enamel of their teeth has worn down.
“A distinct pattern of tooth wear can be due to repeated episodes of vomiting, indicating someone with bulimia, which can contribute to increased cavities,” says Neil.
“This is because vomit contains stomach acids, which are corrosive and strong enough to wear away the enamel that protects your teeth.
“In sensitive cases like these, where we feel like someone has an eating disorder, we would ask if we can refer them for help.”
A MOUTH ULCER THAT DOESN’T HEAL Could signal: CANCER
Mouth ulcers can be caused by many things, including poorly fitting dentures, erupting wisdom teeth, infections, medication, dietary deficiencies or damage caused while brushing and they are very common.
But if you have a mouth ulcer that isn’t healing, seek help.
“Ulceration that hasn’t healed after two weeks could be a sign of something more serious,” says dentist Susie. “It could signify mouth cancer so it’s important to speak to your dentist who can refer you to a specialist for further tests.” kia, which is linked to cancer.
“It’s important to let your dentist know about any white patches you see on your tongue which haven’t gone away after a fortnight.”
CROAKY VOICE Could signal: NERVE DAMAGE
Surprisingly it’s not just your teeth and gums your dentist is checking to ensure you’re in good health.
“Even something like a patient with a croaky voice would concern me as it could be a sign of nerve damage or even oral cancer,” says Neil.
“As part of any routine oral cancer screening, which I perform during every checkup, I always check a patient’s lips, tongue, cheek, the floor of their mouth, hard and soft palate, and throat.
“If a patient had a persistent croaky voice that had lasted longer than two weeks it shouldn’t be ignored.”
“Many women may not be aware their oral health can be affected during menopause,” says Faizan Zaheer, periodontist and implant dentist.
“Falling oestrogen levels cause the body to reduce saliva production, leading to a dry mouth.
“When your mouth is dry, bacteria can grow and levels can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
“Menopause can also lead to a weakness in the jawbone as well as, in rare cases, burning mouth syndrome where you feel pain or a burning sensation on the tongue, gums, lips, inside of the cheeks or at the back of the mouth and throat.”
Bupa’s Neil Sikka
WHITE PATCHES ON THE TONGUE Could signal: THRUSH
“If you find that you have white patches or spots on the tongue it can indicate a fungal infection, such as oral thrush,” says Neil. “It’s usually harmless and can be easily treated with mouth gel from the pharmacy.
“However if you see a hard, flat, white area that can’t be scraped away it could be leukopla“Damaged
Your dentist can be your first line of defence in spotting symptoms of wider health problems in the rest of the body
DRY MOUTH Could signal: MENOPAUSE
Sometimes it’s easiest in relationships to just ignore issues, and pretend everything is fine.
But all too often that issue is still lurking – or festering – beneath the surface. It could end up causing bigger problems between you, and when you are finally forced to face it, it might be much tougher to tackle.
We spoke to experts to find out why dealing with things can boost your relationship and wellbeing.
Why do we ignore relationship problems?
Liz Ritchie, an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor at St Andrew’s Therapy, explains much of our avoidance of problems, in our relationships and in other areas of our lives, is rooted in fear. Issues we avoid may be “intimate, uncomfortable or overwhelming things”.
But by doing this, we are creating greater discomfort for ourselves in the long run.
According to The Relationship Guy podcaster John Kenny, a life and relationship coach: “When issues are not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, then emotions can begin to simmer under the surface.
“This can lead to, what would normally be normal conversations or disagreements, escalating to arguments as the real problems are not resolved and the feelings from these go unaddressed.
“Resentments can build, leading to a loss of respect for each other as you try and rebalance things in your favour due to what you are still holding on to.”
Does ignoring smaller problems in my relationship really matter?
There may be things your partner does that you ignore, despite it upsetting you, because it isn’t worth arguing about.
John says: “You may ignore ‘banter’ even though you find it upsetting or insulting [or] that they don’t seem to consider you when making decisions or acting in certain ways.
“These are usually called ‘pink flags’, as they are things that may not necessarily be a deal breaker, but if they escalate can soon become red flags.”
What if my partner thinks there’s a problem and I don’t?
John says: “No matter how small something may seem to you, it may be massive for someone else.
“Hearing how someone thinks and feels will enable them to feel listened to and this may be all they need. If it is a small thing to you, then why not change it so that they feel better, not because you have to, but because you care enough for them?”
How can hiding problems affect my family?
Dadsnet experts and Diffability podcast hosts Paul and Michael Atwal-Brice, who have two sets of identical twins together, admit that in their experience, dusting problems under the carpet can be damaging for a family.
Michael says: “We found over the years that letting issues mount up then explodes into a big argument, and it’s not the way forward – especially with the sleep deprivation from looking after the boys.” Talking openly about any problems, works better, he adds. “We have found the best way to be with ourselves and each other is to be completely honest, open, and transparent. As parents to children with additional needs, it’s important to talk about issues that could be building up; as parents you don’t always agree on what’s best for your children, let alone non-verbal children.
Any other tips?
Liz says: “Accept that something is affecting you. There is a massive cost if you cannot be open, it reduces your sense of self worth and damages your confidence and identity.”
Then set aside time to talk about it, she adds.