5 Things Your Dentist Can Tell From Looking In Your Mouth

By: Dr. Amy See

Hygiene visits and dental checkups at my dental office in Rolesville are an important part of a proper oral health routine. We’d go so far as to say they may even be THE most important part. At these appointments, we’re not only able to identify common dental problems like decay and cavities, but we may also be able to tell certain bad habits you may have and your overall health just by looking in your mouth.

1. You Used to Suck Your Thumb

A lot of babies and toddlers suck their thumbs, but most of them will stop early enough in their life to not experience any long-term side effects. However, if it was harder for you to stop the habit and you continued to suck your thumb into age seven or eight, your adult teeth may be suffering. Protrusion of front teeth or jaw misalignment are both common signs of a former thumb sucker. The best way to correct this problem is to receive Orthodontics or cosmetic treatments.

2. You Bite Your Nails

Without even glancing at your nails, your dentist may be able to tell that you’re a chronic nail biter. Those who bite their nails often have chips and cracks in their teeth. A common tell-tale sign is when the front teeth are worn down and flat in appearance. Besides the cracks leaving little crevices for bacteria to nestle in, the change in tooth shape can throw off your bite, leading to jaw pain or other symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular disorder).

3. You Flossed Right Before Your Appointment

All dentists appreciate the effort your last-minute effort to floss your teeth before coming to see us. But if this is usually typically the only time you’ve flossed since your last dental visit, we will be able to tell right away. Red, puffy, and possibly bloody gums are tell-tale signs that you quickly flossed before your appointment. Those who floss regularly don’t show the same signs. We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it -- you need to floss every day for optimal oral health.

4. You Have Bad Breath -- and It’s Still Bad After Brushing Your Teeth

Bad breath can be a sign of a serious health problem that is happening either in your mouth or somewhere in your body. The type of smell can indicate what the health issue may be. A sweet fruity-smelling breath is a common sign of diabetes, while a fishy-smelling breath could indicate liver or kidney failure. Breath that doesn’t really associate with a certain smell but is still unpleasant may be an early sign of gum disease. Gum disease not only affects the mouth but can increase the risk for heart disease too.

5. You Have Oral Cancer -- This Is Serious

Oral cancer is characterized by unexplained bleeding, white or red patches in the mouth, or lumps on your lips, gums, or cheeks. Typically your dentist will be the first health professional to notice anything suspicious when they examine your mouth. If they find any of these symptoms, your dentist should begin the process to determine if it is in fact cancer, or something else. Although cancer is a really scary word, oral cancer treatment has a high success rate and most patients can make a full recovery if it is caught in the early stages.

Like oral cancer, many oral diseases can be successfully treated if it is diagnosed early enough. So it’s important you let your dentist know right away if you’re experiencing jaw pain, bleeding gums, or have patches of discoloration in your mouth, and make an appointment to see them as soon as possible.

If it’s time for your next dental cleaning and exam, give us a call at (919) 562-8200 and we’ll be happy to schedule an appointment for you today.