Regular visits to my Chicago dental office are crucial to maintaining a healthy, happy smile. We can catch problems early, we can talk about your smile goals and treatments to get you the ultimate grin, and it’s always nice to see you. But your visits can also tell us a whole lot about things you may haven’t even thought of, or secrets you might not want us to know.
The teeth of nail biters usually display certain qualities that your dentist can identify. Teeth may have chips and cracks, front teeth appear flat and leveled, and there may even be symptoms of TMD (temporomandibular disorder). When a chronic nail biter wears away teeth, their bite may alter, causing jaw pain and other serious concerns.
When a patient is battling bulimia, their dentist may be the first medical professional to suspect a problem based on how oral health is affected by the disease. Erosion, usually on the back side of the front couple teeth, is a typical sign of bulimia. When enamel is eroded away, teeth are at increased risk for developing cavities. If you have an eating disorder, we urge you to seek help as soon as possible. There are professionals who can find a treatment that works for you.
Bad breath is embarrassing, but it can also be a sign of something serious — whether in the mouth or in the body. It’s important to note that different stenches could mean different things. For example, a fruity smell may be a sign of diabetes whereas a fishier smell could indicate liver or kidney failure. If breath is neither and rather just unpleasant, it may be a sign of gum disease, which may increase the risk for heart disease.
We see it all the time. A patient arrives for their appointment, sits in the chair, opens wide, and their hygienist is greeted with puffy, red gums. While this can be a sign of any number of things, it most commonly means the patient flossed right before their appointment, and really no other time before that since their last visit. We can’t tell you enough how important it is to floss every single day, not just when you’re coming to see us.
All of these secrets told by your mouth are serious and require prompt medical attention. If you identify with any of them, we encourage you to contact your dentist in Chicago as soon as you can. If you’d like our help, or if you’re looking for a dentist, schedule an appointment at my Chicago dental office today. We’ll perform an in-depth exam and get you started on a path towards optimal oral and overall health.
