Our bodies can often give us hints and small signs that something isn't right, and our mouth is no different.
While signs like bleeding gums, teeth falling out or even an aching jaw are pretty obvious warnings that our oral health needs to be looked at, there are also more subtle signs too that can mean more than just remembering to floss and get rid of pesky plaque from our wisdom teeth.
In fact, a dentist has now revealed there are six signs that our mouth can give us that actually point to bigger health issues and even serious illnesses such as liver and kidney disease, bone disorders like osteoporosis or even some cancers.
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Now before you get worrying that a hint of bad breath means you could be gravely ill, it's important to note that some signs our mouth can give us can be simple problems to fix but anything you are worried about should see you book in with your dentist who can advise next steps.
At the very least, sticking to your dental appointments twice a year and any regular hygiene appointments should mean anything that could be a serious sign can be picked up on quickly.
Dr Mahmood, from Rüh Dental, explained: "As dentists we are at the forefront of spotting serious health conditions which can be growing in the body without the host’s knowledge. This is why people should visit their dentist at least twice a year for check-ups and cleaning.
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"Analysing oral health regularly, along with brushing and flossing at home, can help keep your physical health in good order, too.
"It’s also wise to be aware of any changes in the mouth, as well as pain. If you notice anything untoward, see your dentist or medical practitioner straight away."
Bleeding and sore gums
Now this might be a bit obvious but if you're noticing blood when you brush or finding your gums are sore, it's something to raise with your dentist. It might be a sign that you have gum disease, which can point to bigger problems and can even cause issues down the line like heart disease.
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It might seem far fetched to say that a little bit of gum disease could impact one of the most vital organs in your body, but bacteria from diseased gums can in fact travel through your blood stream and attach itself to a damaged part of your heart, causing issues.
Dr Mahmood explained: "This can lead to endocarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart) and other cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)."
Jaw pain
Again it might seem like we're pointing out pretty obvious issues but if your jaw is hurting then it's not something to just try and ignore. In fact, discomfort and jaw ache can actually be linked to a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
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"Your jaw could hurt with cardiac arrest because the nerves that detect pain coming from the heart, travel to the same general area in your spinal cord as they share the same nerve pathway," explained Dr Mahmood. "These signals then work their way up to the brain. So, in essence your jaw is signalling pain on behalf of your heart."
Loose or losing teeth
Losing teeth once you get past being a child is a worrying sign, and ultimately you should be keeping all your teeth once you get to adulthood. While losing them or having them feel loose can signal to your dentist that you have serious gum disease, it can also be a sign of your bone health too.
Research has shown there are links between osteoporosis and bone loss in the jaw, and if this decreases it can mean your teeth are more likely to fall out.
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Changes in your tooth enamel
The top layer of our teeth is called enamel and if there are significant changes in that, it's also a worrying sign for your health. Dr Mahmood explained: "If the teeth appear eroded and translucent, that can often be indicative of an eating disorder like bulimia or acid reflux.
"Stomach acid is abrasive and can steadily wear away at tooth enamel. Excessive vomiting can also prompt dry mouth, dry and cracked lips, loss of tooth enamel, swollen salivary glands and sensitive teeth."
Bad breath
Bad breath is another pretty common sign of issues with oral health, but it can also signal more than just needing to brush better. Dr Mahmood warned: "It could be a pointer to a sinus infection, diabetes, a chronic lung infection, liver or kidney disease."
Sores and lumps in the mouth
Now this is a pretty serious one but any lumps, sores or spots in the mouth should see you speaking to your dentist pretty quick.
It might be as simple as a fungal infection that can be quickly treated, but it can also be much more serious.
Dr Mahmood warned: "Oral cancer often starts as a small white or red spot or sore in the mouth and it is more likely to affect smokers or alcohol drinkers."
Niamh Spence