The mouth in relation to symptoms of health problems

Research has shown that there is an association between oral problems and serious health conditions in the rest of your body.
 
Sharp Tooth Pain
A sudden sharp pain in your teeth when you bite down or chew is reason to see your dentist immediately as it could indicate dental decay or a cavity. For throbbing aching pain wait 3 days in case it dissipates, if not see your dentist. An ache that's located in your top teeth may signal a sinus infection as the sinuses are located just above the upper roots of your upper teeth. A dentist should be able to tell with an x-ray if your sinuses are clogged, and a decongestant should help the pain subside.
 
Bleeding Gums
Seeing red blood while brushing or flossing could mean you need to step up your home dental care or that you have periodontal (gum) disease. See your dentist as soon as possible for a thorough cleaning, and brush your teeth and floss every day as gum disease can be extremely dangerous to the rest of the body. The harmful bacteria that's causing your gums to bleed can leave the mouth and enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting your heart by inflaming your arteries.
 
Permanently Stained Teeth
Most yellow or brownish stains are superficial, usually caused by drinking coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking tobacco products. It is recommended to polish them away with whitening toothpaste that contains a derivative of hydrogen peroxide such as carbamide peroxide. You can also ask your dentist about over-the-counter treatments. Dark black or brown spots on a tooth can signal a cavity, while red or blue hues that appear suddenly could mean the tooth has cracked to the pulp where the nerves and blood vessels are located. This sort of crack cannot be fixed, and the tooth will have to be removed. If you have white, yellow, or brown spots and grooves or pitting on the tooth's surface, you could have celiac disease.  When the onset of celiac disease occurs during childhood, the resulting poor nutrition can lead to a malformation of the developing tooth enamel. If you notice these types of marks, see your dentist who may refer you to a physician for an evaluation.
 
Cracking Or Loose Teeth
Cracking, crumbling, or suddenly crooked teeth can indicate that you may need to check on your mental rather than physical health. These problems are usually a sign of tooth grinding, which is caused by stress. Stress triggers muscle tension in your jaw, causing you to clench it closed at night. This can lead to headaches, difficulty closing your mouth, or permanent damage to your jaw joint. Your dentist can give you a bite guard to wear at night to keep your teeth apart, protecting them from wear and tear. Other options for alleviating the symptoms of grinding include muscle relaxation techniques, physical therapy, and applying heat to the facial muscles.
 
Mouth Sores
Crater-like sores that appear inside or outside the mouth are canker sores and ulcers. Stress, hormones, allergies, or a nutritional deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 may be to blame, and eating certain acidic or spicy foods can exacerbate sores. To alleviate them, an OTC topical cream or gel should work. Fluid-filled sores on your lips are called cold sores which are caused by the herpes simplex virus. They will crust over during healing which can take up to 3 weeks so avoid touching them while they drain as they are contagious. Any kind of sore that doesn't start to heal or disappear after about 2 weeks, and especially one that turns red, white, or swollen, requires an immediate trip to the dentist. "This could signal an autoimmune disease or even something more serious like oral cancer.
 
Metallic Taste
When your mouth has a metallic taste it could be a side effect of a medication you're taking such as antihistamines, antibiotics, heart meds. It may also be a symptom of gum disease which requires a thorough dental cleaning and vigilant home dental care. Or you may have zinc deficiency. Vegetarians and vegans are more prone to this as the mineral is found mostly in animal products. If you're an omnivore make sure you're getting plenty of zinc in your diet; good sources include oysters, beef, crab, fortified cereal, and pork chops. Vegetarians can get their share from fortified cereal, legumes, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and milk products, or by taking a vitamin supplement.
 
Cuts On the Inner Corners of Your Lips
These cuts are inflamed areas of fungal or bacterial infection, and may be caused by nutritional deficiencies. Other triggers can include recent mouth trauma, chapped lips, a lip-licking habit or excess saliva. If you see cuts on both sides of your lips, it's likely angular cheilitis and not just a cold sore or irritated skin. Topical anti-fungal medications can provide relief, but also talk to your doctor to see if you are lacking B vitamins or iron.
 
Whiteish Bumps On Your Tongue
A white coat on your tongue may be the result of poor hygiene, dry mouth, or a medication. It may also be thrush. This overgrowth of bacteria is more likely to occur in babies and in people who wear dentures. Swollen white nodes toward the back of your tongue could also indicate HPV; your dentist would need to biopsy the lesions to confirm this. A blueish colour on your tongue may be a blood clot where you bit yourself, or it could signify a more serious condition such as oral cancer. If these coloured areas suddenly appear on your tongue, make an appointment to see your dentist.
 
White Webbing On Your Inner Cheek
White strand or web-like patterns inside your cheek usually mean you have lichen planus, a condition that can also cause shiny red bumps on other areas of your skin such as your hands, nails, or scalp. More common in women ages 30 to 70, the cause of lichen planus is unknown. It's not contagious or dangerous, and there's no known cure for it.
 
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a side effect of many medications, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety meds. If medication is the cause you still have to address the issue since moisture in your mouth helps prevent cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis, and other oral infections. Try products that contain xylitol such as sugar-free gum which helps stimulate the production of saliva. But if you also suffer from cracked lips and swollen, sore or bleeding gums you may have Sjogren's syndrome which is an autoimmune disease that can be treated with medication or surgery.
 
Bad Breath
Halitosis (bad breath) is generally caused by a build-up of bacteria. Brush and floss thoroughly using light pressure, and use a tongue scraper to clean the back of the tongue. If this doesn't alleviate the problem then other causes could be a respiratory disease, post-nasal drip, uncontrolled diabetes, gastric reflux, or kidney failure. Or if your breath is fruity, it could be a sign of diabetes. When the body doesn't have enough insulin, it cannot use sugar as energy, so it uses fat for energy instead. Ketones, by-products of fat breakdown, can cause this fruity odour. Check with your dentist or dental hygienist if you've been experiencing smellier than usual breath for more than a week.
 

Extracted from an article by Locke Hughes, Freelance Writer / Author / Health Coach
www.lockehughes.com