Dentist Reveals Why Your MOUTH Can Reveal Whether You’re More Likely to Die in Your Sleep – and Other Ways Teeth and Gums Are the ‘Gateway’ to Your Body’s Health

A leading dentist has revealed how to tell if you are more likely to die in your sleep simply by looking inside your mouth.

Dr. Michael Cai, a dentist from Pitt St Dental Center in Sydney spoke to FEMAIL about how your teeth and gums have a lot to say about your overall health.

Your oral condition can reveal to a trained dentist whether you are likely to develop diabetes or sleep apnea. It can also be a reliable indicator of your stress levels and dietary habits.

The Australian Dental Association considers the mouth to be the ‘gateway’ to the body, with the condition of our teeth and gums playing a major role in our overall health.

Here are four surprising conclusions a dentist can draw about a patient’s health simply by examining the teeth and mouth.

1. If you have diabetes or might develop diabetes

Dr. Cai said people who suffer from diabetes or are prone to developing it will often experience gum problems and possibly gum disease.

He explained that blood sugar imbalances dramatically impact the health of your gums and can be seen with inflammation, tenderness, or bleeding in the area.

If someone is undiagnosed and their gums show persistent inflammation or bleeding, Dr. Cai will often have them tested for diabetes as a precaution.

2. If you have sleep apnea and mouth or nose breathing

The cosmetic dentist said the condition of a person’s teeth, facial structure and general posture can indicate whether someone has mouth or nose breathing.

People who mouth breathe are more likely to develop sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, which can be potentially fatal.

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing briefly during sleep, causing them to wake up repeatedly during the night. Although uncommon, it is possible to die during sleep from untreated sleep apnea.

If sleep apnea is not corrected for an extended period of time, it can seriously harm your health, leading to fatal conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

People who suffer from the sleep disorder often have teeth that show signs of grinding and their gums look red.

Dr. Cai explained that he also looks at a patient’s face and posture to determine whether it is mouth breathing.

‘When breathing through the mouth we see people with an elongated face or a short lower jaw and more soft tissue in the neck. These people usually have sleep apnea or snoring.’

3. If you have an autoimmune disease

Some autoimmune diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Graves’ disease, and multiple sclerosis, cause patients to experience “extreme dry mouth.”

Red sores in the mouth can also be an indication of Crohn’s disease or lupus.

4. What you eat and drink – and whether you smoke

Dr. Cai said regular red wine drinkers will have a “distinctive” stain on their teeth, just like people who indulge in excessive amounts of black coffee.

Dentists can also tell if your diet in general contains too much sugar or too acid.

‘Sugar is more associated with decay, and an acidic diet will lead to a gradual thinning of the enamel on the teeth,’ said Dr Cai.

Smokers usually exhibit discolored teeth and gums that are raw and red, with an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

What does your tongue REALLY tell you about your health? The dentist reveals the worrying signs to look out for, including white spots and a ‘strawberry’ appearance

By Cindy Tran for Daily Mail Australia

Dentists have revealed the most common changes in your tongue that could tell you something sinister about your health, including white spots, painful bumps and swelling.

Experts from the Emergency Dentist Sydney explained how the tongue can provide clues about your overall health and when a seemingly harmless change might warrant a visit to the doctor.

These include a sudden white spot on the tongue, a ‘strawberry’ appearance and unusual or painful lumps.

WHITE TONGUE

White spots on the tongue usually occur due to poor oral hygiene, smoking or chronic alcohol consumption.

Adjust your daily oral hygiene routine by making sure you clean your tongue with the bumpy back of your toothbrush when you brush your teeth.

But if there is no difference after a week or two when brushing your tongue, it is advisable to see a doctor for a check-up.

‘White patches and bumps on the tongue can also often be caused by a fungal infection, or may be a sign of a condition called leukoplakia, which is often caused by tobacco or chronic alcohol use,’ the experts said.

Both conditions can be easily treated by a doctor.

According to experts at Medibank, the white layer occurs when an overgrowth and swelling of papillae on the surface of the tongue causes bacteria, food and dead cells to become trapped.

STRAWBERRY TONGUE

A pink tongue could indicate that your taste buds are reacting poorly to certain foods, stress, or even a deficiency of a vitamin such as folic acid or B12.

One of the most common causes is dry mouth, so it’s best to stay hydrated.

A clear strawberry tongue, accompanied by a sore throat, is often a sign of an infection such as strep throat or even scarlet fever.

The conditions can be easily treated with antibiotics. It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor immediately for a check-up.

LITTLE BUMPS

The bumps on the tongue are often caused by food you have recently consumed, especially if it is spicy or hot.

Normally they go away on their own quite quickly, but if you experience any discomfort in the mouth it could be canker sores or herpes (cold sores).

The conditions eventually resolve on their own, but can be treated to speed healing and reduce discomfort.

BACKS OR INDENTATIONS

Those with ridges or indentations in their tongues may find that these arise from genetics.

“It could also be a sign that you have a fissured tongue, a long crack in the middle of the tongue, which most people are just born with,” the experts said.

‘It is something you need to be aware of, however, as food can easily get stuck in that crack and cause bad breath and promote the growth of bacteria potentially harmful to your teeth.’

Brushing your tongue regularly helps with this.

Swollen TONGUE

The tongue may develop mild swelling after a reaction to a very hot cup of coffee or if you accidentally bite your tongue instead of your food.

The swelling will go away on its own, but experts suggest that sucking on an ice cube can speed things up.

If swelling is severe, it could be a sign that you are allergic to something you consumed.

“This can restrict your breathing, something that is clearly dangerous, so medical attention should be sought immediately,” the dentists said.

ORAL CANCER

There are several types of cancer that can form on the tongue, lips or gums.

People over the age of 40, especially those who smoke, are at increased risk of oral cancer, with most first noticing a persistent ulcer or lump on the side of the tongue.

Other symptoms include red or white spots and unusual bleeding or numbness.

If you experience symptoms, it is important to see your doctor immediately.

The doctor will review your medical history and symptoms and perform an examination of the tongue and throat. Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor will decide what treatment is needed.

With early treatment, the prognosis for oral cancer is generally good.