As mentioned in the prior article, there is a lot that of information about your health that your Los Angeles dentist can discern from looking at your teeth.
One thing dentists will be able to notice is a sign of oral cancer. An important note to remember is that the first sign of oral cancer is often a small red or white spot or sore in the mouth. It can appear on your lips, gums, tongue, cheek lining, or in other parts of your mouth. Make sure to consider this if you happen to stumble upon anything that looks or feels similar.
Many Los Angeles dentists report that patients do not notice this because it is often near the back of the mouth. Your dentist will typically screen for oral cancer as part of a routine dental exam. By scheduling regular check-ups, you can increase the chances that any potentially cancerous lesions will be caught early and successfully treated. Be sure to tell your dentist if you’ve noticed symptoms like a sore in your mouth that doesn’t heal.
Another piece of information a Los Angeles dentist can discern is whether you have unusually high stress levels. The reason is because people with high levels of stress often grind their teeth, and your teeth may be worn down or chipped if you’ve been unconsciously grinding or clenching them. This grinding can eventually cause bone loss that your dentist may detect on your X-rays. You may or may not be aware that you’ve been grinding your teeth, but your dentist can spot the signs.
Remember that your dentist is not just looking after your teeth. We care about your overall health.