The mouth is the part of the body that most people pay the least amount of attention in regards to taking care of their health. But it actually determines a lot about your health, much more than you know, and might be a signal that you need to pay more attention to your overall health, including both physical and mental health.
1. Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers are usually caused by either stress or tissue injury (that may result from accidentally biting your cheek). It can also be due to a deficiency in vital nutrients like vitamin C and zinc. Some studies have also shown mouth ulcers to be linked with gluten intolerance, especially when it keeps recurring. If you notice mouth ulcers, try to get to the root cause of it and know what is causing it. Reduce your stress levels, if you feel you’ve been too stressed; eat more fruits and vegetables to get adequate amounts of zinc and vitamin C. Also, try to avoid spicy foods and be careful while brushing, to help heal it faster.
2. Bad breath
Bad breath may not just be about not brushing your teeth in a day. It can be linked to dry mouth and gum disease, which can exude a repulsive kind of smell. Ensure that you take good care of your brushing, flossing, and cleaning of your tongue as much as you can, to prevent gum disease and to reduce the chances of bad breath. You should also review your diet and medications, as some of that may be the cause of the bad breath. If it persists, see your doctor for a checkup, as it may be another underlying disease that you aren’t aware of.
3. Ground-down teeth
Teeth-grinding can result in flat worn teeth, which can be due to increased stress levels. This can cause a discomfort in the muscles and jaws of the face. The only way put an end to this is by reducing stress and taking more rests, and if it doesn’t seem to work, see your dentist. Your dentist may suggest a mouth guard to help keep your muscles intact and avoid long-term damage.
4. Discolored teeth
Early discoloration is common among adults older than 50 years of age, but discoloration of your teeth in your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s can be a sign that you haven’t been following a healthy diet, as it often result from poor drinks and diet choices. You can start by avoiding drinks like coffee, tea, red wine, and tomato sauce, or rinse your mouth immediately after taking them.
Image courtesy of: mugmag.co.uk.
