To us, a loose tooth may be a sign of gum disease, and bleeding gums, the result of overzealous brushing. But each of these symptoms could mean a much more serious illness - and the difference between life and death. We are often the first health care professionals to detect early signs of oral cancer. Warning signals of oral cancer include sores on the lips, gums and mouth that do not heal, white, smooth or scaly patches in the mouth or on the lips, swelling or lumps in the mouth, and repeated bleeding in the mouth without apparent cause. Bleeding gums can be a warning of vitamin C deficiency.
Early signs can include red, swollen gums and teeth that are sensitive to tapping.
Signs can include sores inside the cheek, in the throat and on the tonsils or lips. Dentists can also detect early stages of herpes, AIDS, syphilis, gonorrhea, hypertension and multiple sclerosis from oral symptoms. Regular dental examinations have always been the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. But they help you care for the rest of your body, too.