7 THINGS YOUR MOUTH CAN REVEAL ABOUT YOUR HEALTH

Are your teeth and gums showing signs of disease? Here's what to look for

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Been to the dentist in the past few years? More than 60%* of us haven’t – meaning our oral health is being neglected. Not only can this lead to potential problems with teeth and gums, but other health issues might not be spotted either. ‘The state of our mouth is an indicator of our overall health,’ says Dr Nyree Whitley, practising dentist and group clinical director for mydentist.co.uk. ‘It might indicate a problem elsewhere.’ The good news? With our expert advice, you can learn what to look out for.

1 DRY MOUTH

While you might feel a bit thirsty after sleeping open-mouthed, a parched mouth throughout the day may be triggered by other things.

WHAT COULD IT MEAN?

It could be caused by certain medications, oral thrush or hormonal changes prompted by the menopause. Thankfully, these can be cured fairly easily. "Drink more water or chew sugar-free gum,' says Dr Whitley. A pharmacist can provide sprays and gels that give relief, while your GP or dentist can prescribe further medications if you need them.'

2 PATCHES ON YOUR TONGUE 

Stick out your tongue and look at it carefully. Red or white marks or patches may be down to a rash or thrush, which your GP can help with, but there might be a more serious explanation.

WHAT COULD IT MEAN?