Oral Health Issues May Point To Other Health Conditions

The Health website discusses the link between oral health and overall health, stating that several oral health issues warrant a trip to a dentist or physician. For example, having white spots appear on the tongue may be a sign of oral thrush (candidiasis), which may stem from untreated diabetes and is also more common in people who suffer from xerostomia. In another example, the article states that having bleeding gums while brushing or flossing may be a sign of gingivitis, which if left untreated may progress to gum disease. The article recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily, noting the ADA recommends people gently “guide” dental floss between teeth.