14/07/2014
6 shocking disease dentist find first
Crohn’s Disease
Up to 20% of patients with this inflammatory bowel disorder develop lesions in their mouth that may even precede abdominal symptoms such as cramps and diarrhea. Doctors say that they have seen swollen lips and dime-sized ulcers on the inside of cheeks and lips — a white center with a red halo circling it. If they suspect Crohn disease, they do x-rays to rule out gum disease and ask about medical history and medications.
Diabetes
Bleeding, receding, dry gums, dry mouth, and wiggly teeth are all typical oral symptoms of patients with diabetes, who are more likely to get gum disease. However, many of these symptoms result from simple bad hygiene, so dentists may not assume it’s diabetes unless other risk factors are there, or one may have these symptoms despite taking good care of mouth.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is the sixth most-common cancer in America, with 30,000 new cases reported every year. Regular dental visits can help catch signs of it in its earliest stages, when survival rates are more than 80 percent. It shows up as white and red lesions, usually on the tongue, the floor of the mouth, and the soft palate tissues in the back of the tongue.
Anemia
If the lining of someone’s mouth is very pale — a light shade of pink — dentists might suspect anemia, a condition in which the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells circulating. Also, the tongue can lose its typical bumpy texture and become smooth-looking.
GERD
Stomach acid — with a pH that’s lower than vinegar — that regurgitates into the esophagus and mouth can dissolve tooth enamel and create erosive lesions near the back of the mouth. While many people with GERD recognize it by the uncomfortable heartburn symptoms, some patients only experience GERD while they sleep and may not know they have it.
Intense Stress
You certainly know when you’ve had a rough week at work, but the state of your mouth may indicate that stress is taking a more serious toll than you realize. Many people may grind their teeth — a condition known as bruxism — in response to stress, which can wear down and chip the pearly whites.
