Your teeth and gums say more than you think! They would even be a window or a gateway to the body. In itself, the mouth can be the source of problems (poor oral hygiene is today linked to cardiovascular problems and Alzheimer’s disease, for example), but also be a witness to your health. What can we see there? Dr. Jérémy Amzalag, dental surgeon and author of
What if your dentist could save your life?informs us.
Poor dental hygiene
Despite brushing well before going to the dentist’s chair, your professional can see if you are not regular in your oral hygiene or if you are not using the right gestures.
“If there are signs of inflammation, that is, gums that are a little swollen or red, this means that these spaces are not cleaned well, or that there is tartar.“
Your smoking and drinking habits
Obviously, your dentist doesn’t have too much doubt about whether or not you smoke, or what you drink on a daily basis.
“Alcohol and cigarettes will dry out the mouth a little. But cigarettes will also give a significant color to the teeth, just like red wine for example, which gives another color“, reports our expert.
Bruxism
Do you tend to clench your teeth during sleep, or grind them? You experience what is called bruxism, a tendency that can be seen directly on the teeth.
“Clenching or grinding your teeth creates wear or cracks on your teeth. And we see it in the mouth“, confirms the dentist. A condition that the patient does not always know about (if he sleeps alone) and that his dentist can then confirm.
A diet that is too acidic
An unbalanced diet can also be reflected in the condition of your teeth.
“For example, consuming a lot of acidic foods, fruits like lemon or grapefruit, will create chemical erosion, which will wear down the teeth, shorten them, or even create sensitivities“, says the dentist.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Same thing as with a diet that is too acidic: a person who suffers from a lot of esophageal reflux will have traces of it on their teeth.
“This also leads to chemical erosions, which will wear down the teeth.“
Taking certain medications
Taking certain medications daily can also affect the health of your mouth.
“For example, taking antidepressants will result in less saliva production and a drier mouth.“, intervenes the dentist.
Diabetes
Finally, certain pathologies such as diabetes have a strong link with the mouth and teeth.
“When you have diabetes, it will have an impact on the gums, cause problems with loosening teeth, and a dry mouth.”
As such, a consultation with your dentist can sometimes even be the one that detects diabetes. Hence the importance of regular dental check-ups!