What Your Teeth Say About You

2 August 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you know what to look for, there are numerous gems of information you can mine just by looking at a person's teeth. This is because your body may comprise different organs, but they all function together as a unit to keep you healthy. Here are four examples of what your teeth say about you:

Diseases on Other Parts of the Body

Diseases on other parts of your body can easily be reflected on your teeth. Here are a few examples of such diseases:

Osteoporosis

This is a medical condition that affects the bones. The bones lose some of their hard tissues (that is mainly calcium) and become brittle and fragile. You may be dealing with osteoporosis if your dentures don't fit well, you are losing one tooth after the other, and some of your teeth are loose.

Diabetes

This is a health condition in which your body doesn't produce enough insulin or doesn't respond properly to the produced insulin. Bleeding gums, gum disease, loose tooth, and oral bruises that take longer than usual to heal are some of the signs of diabetes.

Your Age

Your teeth change as you age. Your dentist, or anybody who knows what to look for, can estimate your age just by looking at your teeth. Here are some of the things that happen to your mouth and teeth as you age:

  • Your teeth begin to show more and more signs of wear and tear
  • A lifetime of erosion mean you are likely to have dental fillings than younger people
  • You are likely to have lost some teeth
  • Your central incisors, which were long and rounded in your younger years, become square and short

Your Diet

It isn't surprising that your teeth are affected by your diet; after all, the foods you eat must pass through your mouth. Here are some of the ways in which your diet shows up on your teeth:

Teeth Discoloration

There are many causes of teeth discoloration, but diet is one of the most common. Foods that cause discoloration include red wine, tea, coffee, soda, and different kinds of berries, among others.

Dental Decay

Poor oral hygiene and diet are the two major causes of dental decay. On the issue of food, eating lots of sugary foods, such as soda and sweets, are likely to result in dental decay, especially if you don't floss and brush regularly.

Your Social Class

Lastly, your teeth may also be used to gauge your social status. Many people assume, even if it's not true, that those who have good teeth must have had privileged upbringing or can afford the thousands of dollars it costs to correct dental problems. This also means you may be viewed as lacking in social class if your teeth are discolored, crooked or missing.

For more information, talk to a company like Lake Pleasant Dentistry.