Dental checkups are not just meant for checking your teeth for cavities. There are numerous questions asked by many people about what dentists can diagnose in your mouth, and the answers may amaze you. These checkups can give a lot of information regarding your dental and general health condition. At Dental Concepts, our dental team carries out routine examinations to help identify potential issues at an early stage.
The following are some of the things that a dentist can observe in your mouth:
#1: You Haven’t Been Flossing Regularly
That quick flossing session right before your appointment may make it more apparent to your dentist that you haven’t been flossing regularly. When you only floss right before your dental check-up, your gums may still be bleeding and usually look damaged and inflamed. Healthy gums, on the other hand, appear tight and pink.
#2: You Have a Sinus Infection
Sinus infections are known for causing pain and pressure in your sinus cavity, but sometimes you can even feel it in your upper teeth!
Are you unsure whether you have a toothache or a sinus infection? Luckily, your dentist can tell the difference! A simple home test is to bend over and touch your toes. If the pressure or pain increases upon bending over, it is most likely not a toothache!
#3: You Bite Your Nails
Here’s one of those quirky habits that you can’t hide from your dentist! Nail biters have levelled off, and flat front teeth. This is because of the grinding that occurs between the top and bottom teeth.
#4: You Have a Vitamin Deficiency
Dentists look at more than just your teeth—they examine the health of your whole mouth! Vitamin deficiencies can manifest in your mouth in various ways.
#5: You Used to Suck Your Thumb
If you had the habit of sucking your thumb or finger past the age of seven, there would be significant changes in your bite and the position of your teeth. Telltale signs may remain, but these can be fixed through orthodontic treatment.
#6: You Have Another Serious Health Issue
Serious maladies such as oral cancer, diabetes, and heart disease show symptoms in the mouth.
Oral cancer, for example, is characterized by unexplained bleeding, discoloured patches, swelling, bumps, or even eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. Diabetes and heart disease visibly affect gum health, shown by increased swelling, bleeding, and sensitivity.
What Can a Dentist Tell by Looking at Your Mouth?
Most people would be surprised at how much information a dentist can discern by just looking in their mouth. In addition to diagnosing cavities, dentists can diagnose gum diseases, oral infections, lack of vitamins, bruxism, and more problems which might affect your overall well-being. Visiting the dental clinic on a regular basis helps prevent such issues from being overlooked.
We Provide More Than Just a Cleaning
Your dental appointment is much more than just a cleaning! Beyond being able to tell that you bite your nails or don’t floss as often as you should, we can also detect other, more serious health problems and help you get your health back on track.
Regardless of whether you are coming to see us at our dental clinic in Andover, Southampton, Poole, Whitchurch, Hampshire, or Sandbanks, routine dental check-ups can help reveal valuable insights about your oral and overall well-being.
In Dental Concepts, we strongly believe that dental appointments with our dental clinic are essential in ensuring both oral and general health care. We are always ready to help you detect any problems in advance and preserve your teeth for years to come.