Funnily enough, your mouth actually says a lot about you and your overall health. You may well think that the health of your smile has absolutely nothing to do with other areas of your health, but we can promise you that you’re wrong. The health of your gums and teeth can show early warning signs of your general health including cancer, heart disease, and even pregnancy. Stay with us to find out what your teeth tell us about you.
Number One – Pregnancy
So, if you’re usually on top of your oral health and never had issues with gum disease before, then newly inflamed, bleeding gums could be a sign that you’re pregnant. Research shows that Gingivitis is highly common for pregnant women due to hormonal changes which increase blood flow to the gum tissue. Your gums will become more sensitive and swollen and, because of the new hormones in your system, your body is less able to fight off the increased bacteria.
Number Two – Vitamin Deficiency
Malnutrition and declining oral health are interwoven. Reports from 2013 show that without vitamins, our mouths will not have enough resistance to fight off the nasty bacteria that fill the mouth when plaque forms; this leads to gum disease and decay, which is harder still for the body to fight when lacking nutrition.
To be specific, if you’re lacking vitamin B, your lips may begin to crack and become sore; whilst if you’re lacking vit D and A, then your enamel layer is going to weaken.
Number Three – Lung Cancer
A report out in 2016 showed that people with gum disease are more likely to develop lung cancer. We’re not 100% sure as to why this is, but there’s been speculation that it’s related to a specific oral bacteria that plays a part in cancer cells developing within the lungs.
Number Four – Type 2 Diabetes
When gum disease develops into its more severe stage, periodontitis, then it could be signalling that you’re in the early stages of type 2 diabetes; this was reported in a 2017 study. The study showed that in 300 middle-ages adults, a quarter with severe gum disease were at a higher risk of diabetes. Why? Because they were more likely to be overweight. Nearly one in five of those with severe gum disease had previously undiagnosed diabetes, whereas only 10% of those with mild gum disease. Why is this? Well, people with diabetes are more likely to contract infection.
Number Five – Heart Disease
So, there’s now been over ten years of research showing that there’s a major link between gum disease, plaque and heart disease. The American Stroke Association confirmed those with mild gum disease are twice as likely to have a stroke than people without oral health issues.
What This Means For You
So hopefully all these amazing links and studies have shown you how amazing our teeth can be at offering us life changing and sometimes even life saving information. With this in mind, if you haven’t been for a check up with your dentist Richmond of late, then maybe it’s time to get yourself booked in, your dentist Richmond will be able to catch any early signs of decay or plaque build up and offer advice on seeking further medical assistance.
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