What’s behind your smile?
What’s behind your smile?
By Gina Vorster
A smile has the power to enhance anyone’s beauty and can also serve as a reliable indicator of a person’s overall well-being. When considering holistic health, maintaining good dental hygiene involves more than just having straight and vibrant teeth. Often, dental issues may indicate more serious complications in the body. Here are some important factors that require urgent examination by a professional, like The Good Hygienist.
Pain and discomfort in the jaw
Experiencing jaw pain can be a sign of stress and anxiety, which could be indicative of different mental health concerns. Furthermore, it could potentially be a warning sign of a heart attack. If you encounter this symptom, it is highly recommended to seek immediate medical attention.
Recurring bad breath
Consuming foods with strong and pungent flavours can sometimes lead to bad breath. However, if you consistently struggle with bad breath without any apparent cause, it is important to address the issue. Persistent bad breath could be a potential indication of more serious underlying conditions like diabetes, lung or sinus infections, liver or kidney disease, and even parasitic infections.
Sores, bumps, and discolouration
Oral cancer is a frequently diagnosed form of cancer in humans, affecting both smokers and non-smokers alike. Various signs may indicate the presence of oral cancer, including bleeding sores, white or red spots, bumps in the mouth, neck, lips, tongue, or cheeks, discoloured tissue, and rough patches in the mouth. If you observe one or more of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention. Your dental professional will be able to determine whether referral to another healthcare practitioner is necessary, particularly if the symptoms are concerning.
Mouth infections
If an infection or inflammation in the mouth is left untreated, oral bacteria can potentially spread to other areas of the body, including the heart. There is a connection between blocked arteries, stroke, heart disease, and the infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves when oral infections are not diagnosed or treated promptly.
A dry mouth
Insufficient saliva production by the salivary glands can lead to a dry mouth, which may be attributed to factors such as snoring, smoking, alcohol consumption, certain medications, or breathing through the mouth. However, if none of these factors apply to you, a dry mouth could potentially indicate more serious conditions like yeast infections, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, or AIDS.
Confidence issues
While it may be considered a less significant issue, many individuals avoid laughing or participating in social gatherings due to concerns about their crooked, discoloured, or damaged teeth. This can result in feelings of depression and social isolation.
To ensure early detection of oral problems, it is advisable to schedule regular checkups with your dental hygienist at least twice a year. The expertise of a skilled hygienist goes beyond maintaining dental health, as they can also identify signs of potentially serious underlying issues. Our mouths have multiple ways of communicating, and it is important for us to pay attention and listen.
Contact the Good Hygienist today:
438 Farm Road
Pretoria
083 625 7151
