I’m a dentist – here are 5 mouth ‘red flags’ you should NEVER ignore… they could be deadly
A DENTIST has warned of five mouth 'red flags' that Brits should never ignore - as they could be deadly.
Some of us put off going to the dentist as it can be an unpleasant experience - and on top of that, NHS dentist fees increased by 8.5 per cent last month.
However a dentist has warned that changes to your mouth or teeth should not be ignored.
Leading dental expert Dr Rizwan Mahmood told that they could be serious symptoms.
He advised Brits to try and visit their dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and clean.
People should also be regularly brushing and flossing at home.
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If you notice anything 'untoward', such as pain in your mouth, that's a sign you should see a dentist or medical practitioner right away, Dr Mahmood added.
Here are five changes in your mouth to watch out for.
1. Sore and bleeding gums
Aching or bleeding gums is not something you should push aside, warned Dr Mahmoud, as it could be a sign of gum disease.
This is prevalent in people who already have underlying conditions or ailments that can weaken the immune system, such as diabetes, putting you in danger of infection, the dentist said.
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Diabetes sufferers are susceptible to gum disease known as periodontal disease - inflammation in the gums and the bones around your teeth that also causes bad breath (halitosis) and even loss of teeth.
They're also prone to dry mouths due to a lack of saliva, which which in turn can cause ulceration and tooth decay, as well as oral thrush, he continued.
Saliva helps control levels of bacteria in the mouth and washes away acid from the teeth and gums, according to .
So low levels of saliva can make it easier for bacteria to thrive in your mouth, increasing your risk of inflammation in your gums.
If you thought gum disease couldn't be that serious, here's something to keep in mind: Dr Mahmood pointed out that people with gum disease are twice or three times more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or develop heart disease and other serious cardiovascular complications.
"There are logical reasons why dental health and heart health may be related,” he explained, naming inflammation as a common occurrence in both diseases.
But you can also develop heart disease due to poor oral health and gum disease.
"The bacteria from the diseased gums can spread through your bloodstream and attach itself to a damaged area of your heart causing inflammation.
"This can lead to endocarditis - an infection of the inner lining of the heart - and other cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)."
2. Wobbly teeth
If your teeth are loose or falling out, this can be a sign of advanced gum disease, according to Dr Mahmoud.
It can also be an early sign of osteoporosis, a health condition that weakens bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.
Losing teeth is definitely a sign to visit a doctor or dentist, he said.
3. Jaw pain
You might occasionally get a sore jaw from clenching your teeth.
But in rare cases, pain in that area can be an indicator of something more sinister, such as a heart attack, Dr Mahmoud warned.
"Your jaw could hurt with cardiac arrest because the nerves that detect pain coming from the heart, travel to the same general area in your spinal cord as they share the same nerve pathway.
“These signals then work their way up to the brain. So, in essence your jaw is signalling pain on behalf of your heart.”
According to NHS guidance, other signs of a heart attack include:
- chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest
- pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy
- feeling lightheaded or dizzy
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- feeling sick or being sick
- an overwhelming feeling of anxiety (similar to a panic attack)
- coughing or wheezing
Though jaw pain as a sign of a heart attack is rare, Dr Mahmoud emphasised that it's important to be able to recognise these symptoms.
4. Smelly breath
A dry mouth or certain foods can cause bad breath - or halitosis - but it could be a red flag for gum disease or gingivitis.
In other cases, Dr Mahmoud said it could point to a sinus infection, diabetes, a chronic lung infection, liver or kidney disease.
5. Lumps or sores in your mouth
You should check any new lesions in your mouth with your dentist, Dr Mahmoud said, as lumps or sores could be a sign of a canker sore.
Canker sores can be caused by a fungal infection or something as serious as cancer.
The dentist 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 mouth cancer include:
- mouth ulcers that are painful and do not heal within several weeks
- unexplained, persistent lumps in the mouth or the neck that do not go away
- unexplained loose teeth or sockets that do not heal after extractions
- unexplained, persistent numbness or an odd feeling on the lip or tongue
- sometimes, white or red patches on the lining of the mouth or tongue These can be early signs of cancer, so they should also be checked
- changes in speech, such as a lisp
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See a GP or dentist if these symptoms do not get better within 3 weeks, particularly if you drink or smoke, says.