What Your Dentist Knows About You Just By Looking At Your Teeth
All we do is look at your teeth and poke around a little, right?
Wrong.
Usually, when you come in for your dental appointment every 6 months (because you’re on top of it when it comes to your oral health and that’s why we like you), you’re probably only worrying about a little bit of plaque and wondering what you’re going to eat for lunch. But you might be surprised to find out that there’s a lot more than just plaque that we’re looking out for.
Besides cleaning up all the build-up in your teeth that you left us to deal with (thanks), we can tell a lot about you just by looking at your mouth. That’s right – we know your deepest darkest secrets.
😀 😀 😀
But we really do know more than just how pretty your teeth are. Just say “ahh!” and let’s find out!
You JUST Flossed
For the first time in MONTHS. Sorry, but you can’t fool us! Regularly un-flossed teeth often have built-up plaque, in addition to receding gums and gingivitis. Those are pretty hard to miss.
And if you just flossed for the first time in a while, we can see that your gums are slightly cut, bleeding, and look damaged.
Healthy gums are tight and pink in color, and you won’t achieve this look without flossing daily.
You Have A Severe Case Of the Sniffles
You know, besides the fact that you used up all our Kleenex tissues and look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Sinus infections are incredibly annoying, but they can also cause toothaches. So if you came into our office complaining of a toothache, don’t worry. You won’t need a root canal for this one.
If you maintain healthy eating habits, brush regularly, and take good care of your teeth, there is no reason to expect a cavity. Let alone one that would cause you such a painful toothache. So if you just got over a case of the sneezes, that painful ache that you might be feeling on your back tooth is likely the result of the pressure in your jaw caused by the sinus infection.
You May Have Diabetes
While we don’t want to cause any undue panic, a serious health condition that sometimes goes undiagnosed is diabetes. This condition is usually diagnosed by a physician during a routine physical exam, or after significant symptoms have already appeared and a blood test has been taken.
The good news is that your dentist can also detect some of the warning signs. If we notice that a patient’s gums are increasingly swelling or bleeding and show signs of sensitivity, we would encourage them to see their physician.
You’re Pregnant
Well… You know. You look a little different. Not heavier! Just different.
In a good way.
Besides the fact that your face is glowing, we can tell that you’re pregnant just by looking at your gums. Pregnancy can cause gingivitis in almost 40% of women. This is because of a spike in bacteria, and some women develop a small, benign lump on their gums.
This is usually only detectable farther along in a pregnancy, so… don’t worry! We’re sure you already know.
But if you didn’t… surprise!
You Drank Soda
We know you did it!
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: skip the Coke. Sodas not only contain enormous amounts of sugar that can result in a build-up of plaque on your teeth, but also phosphoric and citric acid.
You know, the kinds of acids that slowly destroy your enamel.
And it’s not the only culprit either – there are many fruity drinks and sugary snacks that are terrible for your teeth. Avoid these foods like the plaque, or should we say plaque!
We can see your enamel eroding, and at that point, the only thing you can do is stop it from worsening.
You Grind Your Teeth
You might not know it, but we sure do. Grinding your teeth is also known as bruxism and it can lead to a ton of health complications if not treated. Other than a slightly sore jaw, you could end up with disintegrated fillings, headaches, and in extreme cases, TMJ.
But don’t panic. Your dentist has got your back… I mean, your jaw.
Rest assured, dentists are trained to detect signs of teeth grinding and they can give you a night guard to prevent it.
You’re Not Using UV Protection
Yes, lip block is a thing and you need to start using it. The lips are thin areas of skin that are often overlooked when people go out into the sun, but they are just as susceptible to UV rays as the rest of your body.
If your dentist sees a suspicious sore, they’ll recommend you get tested before jumping conclusions. Other factors that may contribute to lip cancer include smoking, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption.
You Overbleached Your Teeth
Well, other than the fact that you nearly blinded the receptionist with your smile, there are a few other signs that you went a little overboard with the whitening trays.
Too much bleaching can wear down the enamel and make your teeth look transparent or even yellow because of the natural color of the tooth’s underbody. Losing enamel from overbleaching can lead to decay and weak teeth. Having a nice smile is nice, but having healthy teeth is way more important.
Instead of using chemicals, try some natural remedies to strengthen and clean your teeth. They’ll make you look and feel good.
You already know why you should visit your dentist for regular cleanings. But in case you needed extra convincing to go see the dentist, those are just a few good reasons!
Be sure to visit your team of dentists in Mission Viejo, here at New Generation Dentistry. We are committed to restoring your confidence in your smile and ensuring that you have a long and healthy life.
Updated for 2018.