Experts have revealed six changes in your mouth that could be a sign of a serious illness.
Dentists are urging people to watch out for signs that could be an early indicator for a heart attack of osteoporosis. Some causes of concern include jaw ache or loose teeth.
Dr Rizwan Mahmood, from Ruh Dental, said many diseases can spur changes and there are several tell-tale signs in a person's mouth which can act as an early indicator, the Mirror reports. Urging people to visit their dentist twice a year, he said: "Analysing oral health regularly, along with brushing and flossing at home, can help keep your physical health in good order too.
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"It’s also wise to be aware of any changes in the mouth, as well as pain. If you notice anything untoward, see your dentist or medical practitioner straight away."
These are the signs you should watch out for:
Jaw ache
Dr Mahmood said jaw pain or discomfort can often be indicative of a heart attack as the jaw signals pain on behalf of your heart. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is also a condition that affects the movement of the jaw.
Signs include pain around your jaw, ear and temple, clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw, a headache around your temples, difficulty opening your mouth fully or your jaw locking when you open your mouth.
Wobbly teeth
This could be a sign of gum disease, or the onset of osteoporosis, which is a disease that weakens the body's bones. Doctor Mahmood said: "There have been studies showing links between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw which the teeth anchor into.
"This should be investigated further if you’re experiencing random tooth loss."
Changes to the tooth enamel
This could be a sign of an eating disorder. Teeth that appear eroded or translucent could be a tell-tale sign of bulimia or acid reflux.
The doctor added: "Stomach acid is abrasive and can steadily wear away at tooth enamel. Excessive vomiting can also prompt dry mouth, dry and cracked lips, loss of tooth enamel, swollen salivary glands and sensitive teeth."
Smelly breath
Known as halitosis this can often be the result of a dry mouth or due to eating certain foods and drinks. But Dr Mahmood says it can be a sign of gum disease or gingivitis.
He said: "Bad breath can also be symptomatic for something underlying, something more serious. It could be a pointer to a sinus infection, diabetes, a chronic lung infection, liver or kidney disease."
The NHS recommends the best way to avoid bad breath is to keep your teeth, tongue and mouth clean by brushing them gently twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
Bleeding gums
This could be a clear indication of gum disease, which is often prevalent in people with conditions which weaken the immune system, such as diabetes. The doctor said: "If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to suffer with a gum disease known as periodontal disease.
"This is inflammation in the gums and the bones around your teeth. Periodontal disease also causes bad breath (halitosis) and even loss of teeth. Diabetes can cause a dry mouth because of a lack of saliva which in turn can cause ulceration and tooth decay. Furthermore, you are also prone to developing oral thrush as it can impact the way your body fights off infections."
He said fruity smelling breath can be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition in which your blood sugar is so high it starts turning acidic.
Sores in the mouth
Lumps or sores in the mouth should always be checked by a professional as these could be a sign of a serious disease such as oral cancer.
The doctor said: "Oral cancer often starts as a small white or red spot or sore in the mouth and it is more likely to affect smokers or alcohol drinkers. Signs of oral cancer include sores that don’t heal easily, hard spots, rough areas, discoloured tissues, numbness and changes in the way teeth fit together."
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