Are your teeth and gums showing signs of disease? Here’s what to look for
Been to the dentist in the past few years? More than 60%* of us haven’t – meaning our oral health is being neglected. Not only can this lead to potential problems with teeth and gums, but other health issues might not be spotted either. ‘The state of our mouth is an indicator of our overall health,’ says Dr Nyree Whitley, practising dentist and group clinical director for mydentist.co.uk. ‘It might indicate a problem elsewhere.’ The good news? With our expert advice, you can learn what to look out for.
1 DRY MOUTH
While you might feel a bit thirsty after sleeping open-mouthed, a parched mouth throughout the day may be triggered by other things.
WHAT COULD IT MEAN?
It could be caused by certain medications, oral thrush or hormonal changes prompted by the menopause. Thankfully, these can be cured fairly easily. ‘Drink more water or chew sugar-free gum,’ says Dr Whitley. ‘A pharmacist can provide sprays and gels that give relief, while your GP or dentist can prescribe further medications if you need them.’
2 PATCHES ON YOUR TONGUE
Stick out your tongue and look at it carefully. Red or white marks or patches may be down to a rash or thrush, which your GP can help with, but there might be a more serious explanation.
WHAT COULD IT MEAN?
‘If the patch goes away quickly, then it is generally not a concern,’ says Dr Whitley. ‘If not, you should book an appointment to see your dentist or doctor. Rarely, the patches can be an early indicator of mouth cancer and may need further investigation.’
3 BAD BREATH
This is usually down to a build-up of bacteria. ‘To check how bad your breath smells, lick your arm, let it dry and have a sniff,’ says dental surgeon Dr Guy Barwell. ‘This will indicate any odour-producing bacteria in your mouth.’
WHAT COULD IT MEAN?
Good oral hygiene is key. But if there’s still a problem after brushing and flossing, you may be lactose intolerant or having too many acidic juices, protein-rich foods or sugar, all of which feed bacteria.
Change your diet and monitor any difference.
4 TRANSLUCENT TEETH
Thinning enamel causes rough edges on teeth and makes them sensitive to hot and cold. You might also notice that your front teeth have a clear, translucent appearance.
WHAT COULD IT MEAN?
Your diet may be to blame. ‘Tooth enamel forms a thin layer over the surface of each tooth, up to 2.5mm thick, but dissolves on contact with acid,’ says Dr Sarah Brewer,
