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A good dentist knows a lot about you without so much as a single word passing your lips. As well as the physical signs of how often you (forget to) floss, a dental pro can spot a preference for sparkling water over tap, whether you’re low in iron and even how much you stress while you sleep.
Pretty much everything you do – or don’t do – affects your oral health. Your mouth is the gateway to your respiratory and digestive system, so bacteria lurking on gums and teeth can move south and throw the microbiome out of whack, causing inflammation and disease. Equally, changes in your body can also affect your dental health. Menopause can cause dry mouth, which is uncomfortable at best and causes infection at worst.
Here’s what else a session in the dentist’s chair can reveal…
Gum disease
Inflamed gums, bleeding and bad breath that quickly returns after cleaning are tell-tale signs of gum disease, which usually results from poor oral hygiene.
Gingivitis is the most common type of gum disease and affects up to 70 percent of New Zealanders. Although it’s often painless (so you might not even know you have it), if left untreated, it can eventually lead to tooth loss.
The good news is it’s largely preventable. “The quality of brushing is so important,” says dentist Dr Gamer Verdian. “The bristles should be angled under the gumline as there is a little pocket where bacteria hides and causes gum disease.”
Dentist Dr Aodhan Docherty says it’s best not to rinse after brushing. “Toothpaste residue is full of all the good stuff, such as fluoride, which helps to repair your tooth enamel. If you rinse after brushing, you wash all of that away and aren’t getting the added layer of protection.”
For the kids
Dental care for children and young people up until the age of 18 is publicly funded. A free treatment includes routine examination, X-rays, cleaning, fillings and even extractions. Take your children for regular check-ups to ensure problems are nipped in the bud early. Your dentist will let you know how often your children need to pay them a visit.
Nutritional deficiency
Pale gums, mouth ulcers or a painful tongue are signs of a vitamin deficiency (iron, vitamin C, B12 or folate), which increases your risk of gum disease. This is best tackled through diet. Lots of fresh fruit, crunchy veges and calcium-rich protein helps your body get the nutrients it needs. “A handful of unsalted nuts, a lunch with meat, cheese and natural yoghurt are also tooth-friendly foods,” says Aodhan.
Cardiovascular diseases
“We now know that people with gum disease have two to three times the risk of having a stroke or heart attack,” says Gamer. “Research shows that the inflammation that causes gum problems has a direct negative effect on our arteries.” Flossing is still the best prevention. “Floss when you’re doing something sedentary, such as watching TV, to ensure it becomes an easy, habitual part of your day,” adds Gamer. “Trying to get it done in the morning rush is never going to catch on!”
Premature birth
A global review of data found that if gum inflammation is treated during pregnancy, the risk of a baby being born pre-term is reduced by about 50 percent. “Due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy, pregnant women are susceptible to gingivitis, with 60 to 75 percent affected, so it’s very common,” reports Professor Joerg Eberhard.
Mouth cancer
Early detection is crucial and it’s likely your dentist will notice changes in your lips, tongue or oropharynx first. Symptoms to look out for at home include a swelling or a sore on your lip, or in your mouth that won’t heal – especially under dentures – problems or pain when chewing or swallowing, a red or white patch in your mouth, plus more. It’s important to have any changes checked by your GP or dentist.
Respiratory infections
Poor oral hygiene can cause bacteria in the mouth to spread to the lungs, exacerbating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and even causing pneumonia. “Ideally you would brush your teeth first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up, to reduce the number of bacteria that have grown while you sleep,” says Aodhan. “However, if you need that morning coffee or breakfast ASAP, wait 30 to 60 minutes before brushing so that the acid in food and drink doesn’t damage your tooth enamel.”
Diabetes
Gum disease can be a sign of pre-diabetes. By measuring the percentage of deep periodontal pockets (abnormal openings between the tooth and gums), dentists are often the first to raise the alarm and prompt patients to have a blood glucose test. Any health professional will tell you ease up on sugar but, if you do indulge, Aodhan says it’s best to have a sweet snack at the end of a meal. “Saliva is an amazing thing,” he says. “It saves our teeth by bathing them in calcium, so between meals there’s a cycle of repair occurring to fix up all the damage that is done during the eating phases. Snacking between meals – what a fun pastime! – but we have to stop it.”
Alzheimer’s
“A certain type of bacteria common to gum disease has been shown to have a link to Alzheimer’s disease, particularly when the bacteria is found in the nervous system,” says Gamer. “These same bacteria cause generalised inflammation around the whole body and, with its potential to infiltrate the nervous system, it has become obvious that keeping our gums healthy is important for more than just our oral health.”
Snoring
“Sleep disordered breathing can have many causes but it certainly impacts negatively on our oral health,” says Gamer. “We see lots of people who are unaware of their sleep apnoea or snoring habit before a dentist identifies the problem. It dries out the oral mucosa, increases gingivitis and is a big cause of grinding.”
The daily grind
As if we need another reason to bemoan the pandemic, but here goes: Covid caused an explosion of broken teeth due to increased stress. “Grinding and clenching teeth [bruxism] is on the incline,” says Gamer. “Bruxism wears down and cracks teeth, and also builds up the muscles of our jaws, leading to temporomandibular joint problems and a square-looking jaw. The force from clenching and grinding can damage teeth’s supporting tissues, deepening periodontal pockets and loosening teeth.” The solution?
1. Stress less
Easier said than done, but the less tension you hold in your jaw, the less pressure your teeth are put under. Find what works for you – a warm bath or listening to music before bed can help. Stimulating drinks in the evening, such as caffeine and alcohol, can exacerbate bruxism.
2. An intra-oral massage
It’s not pleasant but it can make a huge difference to reducing built-up tension in the jaw. Some massage therapists offer this, as do many chiropractors, physiotherapists and osteopaths.
3. Splint
“A night guard is one of the most effective ways of treating bruxism,” says Gamer, who adds one custom made by a dentist is usually more durable.
4. Botox
“Muscle relaxants can also be highly effective,” says Gamer. Botox temporarily paralyses the muscle tissue around the jaw and will encourage your brain to stop overusing the jaw muscles.
5. Sleep easy
Grinding can occur as a response to pauses in breathing, so correcting snoring can help.
Dentists & dermatologists agree: Always brush your teeth before you wash your face as toothpaste residue can irritate the skin.
Fear not!
If going to the dentist sparks the kind of panic reserved for spiders or public speaking, you’re not alone: many people experience anxiety about visiting the dentist. If this is you, let your dentist know so they can help you with coping techniques to alleviate nerves.
Alternatively, if it’s the bill you’re afraid of, enquire about options such as dental plans and payment options. Ask about the fees for the treatment you require and don’t be scared to shop around to find the best solution for you, your needs and your budget. There is no fixed fee or recommended fee structure for private dental practices, so they can vary greatly. In addition, there is a limited range of dental services funded for some adults.
Next, read our go-to guide for at-home teeth whitening!
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