What These 8 Oral Problems Say About Your Health

We all know that flossing every day and going for regular dental checkups are essential for maintaining optimal oral health. However, you can have poor oral health even when you’re taking good care of your mouth.

Sometimes, poor general health ruins your oral health. Knowing how general health affects your oral health can help you spot conditions before they worsen.

Below are oral problems that indicate poor health.

1. SMOOTH TONGUE

Using dentures can make your tongue smooth, but a smooth tongue can also be a sign of vitamin B12, iron and folate deficiency, according to Stanford medicine. Vitamin B12 deficiency also makes the tongue sore and red in color. 

Keep in mind that vegans and vegetarians have a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. This is a good primer on how to get enough B12 without eating animal products.

2. INFLAMED GUMS

Inflamed gums could mean that your body has chronic inflammation. This is something you should take seriously, since chronic inflammation is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, dementia and heart disease.

3. PERSISTENT LESIONS

Lesions that don’t go away could be a sign of oral cancer. Research also shows that oral lesions are a common sign of HIV.

However, don’t panic every time your mouth is sore. It could be canker sores, which usually dissolve after a week or two. Get checked if the lesion lasts for more than two weeks.

4. GEOGRAPHIC TONGUE

A geographic tongue is terrifying but most times, it’s harmless. It is marked by patches, discoloration, and hairlike projections on the tongue.

According to Mayo Clinic, a geographic tongue doesn’t increase the risk of health conditions, but it causes anxiety because of its appearance.

5. BURNING SENSATION

Do you have a burning sensation in your mouth for no reason? This could mean that you’re allergic to the toothpaste you’re using or you’re postmenopausal.

Research shows that the hormonal changes that occur during menopause cause the burning sensation in the mouth.

6. PALE-COLORED TONGUE

Your tongue can be pale due to poor oral hygiene. Bacteria and dead cells can cause a white coating on your tongue.

If you take good care of your mouth and your tongue is pale, it could be a sign of iron deficiency or anemia. In this case, you’ll need to increase your intake of iron-rich foods.

7. BAD BREATH

While it’s true that most people with bad breath have poor oral hygiene, sometimes it’s a sign of a much bigger problem. Kidney failure can make your breath stink because of waste buildup in the body.

8. RECEDING GUM AND TOOTH LOSS

It’s normal for teeth to become loose as we age, but tooth loss is usually a sign of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis causes bone loss in the jawbone, which can make your gums detach from your teeth and loosen them.