A visit to the dentist could reveal more about your health than just the state of your teeth. Every time you’re in the chair, they often pick up clues about your overall health from stress to stomach issues.
Dr Kabir Bhogal, Founder and Principal Dentist at Revive Clinic, says beyond cavities and cleanings, small changes in your mouth can reveal underlying conditions ranging from digestive issues to nutrient deficiencies. In fact, many health issues first show up as changes in your oral environment, often before you notice any symptoms yourself.
Dr Bhogal has shared 7 surprising things your dentist can tell about your wellbeing before knowing your medical history.
Jaw tension and tooth wear
Teeth-grinding or jaw-clenching can point to ‘bruxism,’ a habit commonly linked to stress or anxiety. When we’re stressed, we may unconsciously clench our jaws or grind our teeth as a physical response to tension. Over time, this can lead to visible symptoms such as flat or worn-down tooth surfaces, jaw pain, and even small fractures, typically on the biting edges of the molars or the front teeth. If left untreated, bruxism can contribute to TMJ disorders (or issues affecting the temporomandibular joint), which connects the jaw to the skull. This could lead to chronic headaches, facial pain, and difficulty chewing. Aside from stress management techniques, dentists may also suggest custom night guards during sleep or in more severe cases, dental crowns to restore damage.
Gum inflammation
Dentists are trained to recognise symptoms of periodontal disease, a chronic condition that affects gum tissues and is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing gum disease by reducing blood flow to the gums, weakening the immune response, and making it harder for tissues to heal. Over time, this can lead to persistent inflammation, gum recession, and even bone loss. That’s why regular dental check-ups can often reveal the hidden impact of smoking on your oral health, usually before you realise it yourself.
Acid erosion
When the protective outer layer of the teeth (enamel) begins to wear away, it can be an early sign of chronic acid exposure. This can initially be spotted on the back of the teeth and often stems from undiagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition where stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the oesophagus and even the mouth. Dentists can usually detect this before a patient realises they have acid reflux, because the acid erosion weakens the enamel and makes teeth more vulnerable to cavities and cracks. This kind of damage can require restorative procedures like dental crowns to protect the affected teeth.
Dry mouth
While xerostomia (dry mouth) can result from factors like dehydration, stress, or medications, it’s also a common early symptom of diabetes. This is because diabetes can affect the salivary glands directly, impairing their ability to produce saliva. Additionally, high blood sugar levels cause the body to lose more fluids, leading to dry mouth faster. Because saliva normally helps wash away food particles and neutralise oral acids, reduced saliva creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive and multiply more easily, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease. There would usually be a noticeably dry, sticky texture in the mouth or sometimes a fungal infection like angular cheilitis (cracked lip corners) that may warrant a blood test.
Oral thrush
White patches or a creamy coating on the tongue and inner cheeks could be a sign of oral thrush, a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast that naturally lives in the mouth. The immune system usually keeps oral bacteria growth under control, so when the body’s natural defenses are compromised, this allows the Candida to multiply. This can be caused by conditions like HIV and autoimmune diseases, or even certain medication like antibiotics which disrupts the balance of normal bacteria in the body. Additionally ill-fitting dentures can worsen this issue by irritating oral tissues, creating a moist environment where yeast thrives. I would advise getting dental implants instead of dentures for long-term teeth replacement, as they are integrated into the bone and offer greater stability while preserving the neighbouring teeth.
Bad breath
Bad breath isn’t always a matter of brushing harder or more regularly. In reality, persistent bad breath, despite good oral hygiene or regular hygiene appointments, can stem from gastrointestinal problems. A common cause can be Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria that infects the stomach lining with ulcers and produces sulfur compounds that contribute to a foul odour. Liver dysfunction can also manifest through the breath as it plays a vital role in metabolising nutrients and filtering toxins from the blood. When it’s not functioning properly, waste products can accumulate and these toxins may then be released through the lungs, causing breath to smell unusually musty or metallic (‘fetor hepaticus’). Dentists can often tell the difference based on where the odor is coming from, how it smells, and whether it improves with oral care.
Pale tongue
A tongue that appears unusually pale or smooth can reflect a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, specifically iron, folate, or vitamin B12. These particular nutrients play a key role in maintaining healthy blood cells and supporting tissue repair and immune function, all of which directly affect your oral health. Without enough of them, the soft tissues inside your mouth, especially the tongue, can become inflamed, thin, or prone to irritation because they aren’t getting the oxygen or nutrients they need. This could lead to discomfort, burning sensations, or even an increased risk of infection, all of which can worsen due to the delayed healing process caused by malnutrition. Dentists can help identify early signs of anemia or related nutritional deficiencies, and may advise a further blood test with a general health practitioner.