Whilst the main focus of a dental checkup is to look at the health of teeth, the build-up of plaque and signs of any gum disease, a dentist can learn a lot about your overall health and habits just from looking at your teeth and gums.
Whilst one aspect a lot of dentists prioritise is searching for signs of potential mouth cancer alongside other major health issues, here are some other takeaways a dentist can find when you open your mouth and say “ah”.
The Meaning Behind Bad Breath
Bad breath can happen for a number of reasons, but whilst dentists will look for signs of the causes of halitosis first, particularly foul-smelling breath or unusual scents will prompt further investigation.
Breath that smells like rotting fish can potentially be a sign of a failure in the liver or kidneys, whilst sweeter, fruitier smells could potentially be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes.
A dentist would not be able to fully diagnose something outside of the mouth, but they could potentially refer a patient to another doctor if they can rule out a cause resident in the mouth.
A Potential Drinking Problem
Whilst it is easy to see if someone is a smoker from the state of their teeth, an alcoholic patient will also demonstrate some telltale signs on their teeth.
The reason for this is that alcohol dehydrates people, which leads to a dry mouth, and a dry mouth is one without the saliva needed to neutralise the acids and bacteria in the mouth.
It would not typically be the first sign of someone with an alcohol dependency, but if they manage to hide other signs, the teeth could be a giveaway.
Sucking One’s Thumb
If a parent has ever said that sucking your thumb can warp your teeth, they’re not exactly wrong.
Essentially, because of the way in which the teeth are pushed down during a critical time for your development, your teeth may have an open bite, where the front teeth do not touch. It is something easily fixed using braces if it is a concern for you.