What Does Different Dental Signs Mean ?

Flat teeth are an indicator of untackled stress.

Dental problems are not just a sign of neglected oral health. 

The problem is rooted much deeper — in stress levels, eating 

habits and even kidneys. Dentists say, reading these signs 

and tackling them at the earliest is key to maintaining not 

just your pearly whites but also a healthy body.

Flat teeth

Root cause: High stress


Do you wake up with a pain in your jaw? Have the biting 

surfaces of your teeth become shorter? It's possible that you 

suffer from bruxism, a disorder in which people grind their 

teeth, especially while sleeping. Dentist says, "People can 

clench and grind their teeth during the day and night 

without being aware of it. However, it is a bigger problem 

during the night because it's difficult to control." Long term 

grinding of teeth makes them flat, causing jaw tenderness, 

fatigue of cheek muscles, headaches and ear aches. Stress is 

one of the major causes of bruxism. "People tend to clench 

their teeth when stressed. Clenching becomes more 

pronounced in people with high stress jobs and is common 

among policemen, body builders (who clench their teeth 

while lifting heavy weights), bank clerks, or those suffering 

from depression and anxiety disorders," she adds.

Dentist says, most young professionals do not realise that 

they are under stress. "The problem surfaces when they 

come to us with broken or flat teeth. The cure is stress 

management.



Dentist also recommend mouth guards to patients whose 

teeth are still in good condition. The plates cover the entire 

surface the teeth and prevent them from rubbing against 

each other. However, the dentist warns,, severely damaged 

teeth can only be fixed with a root canal with caps or 

artificial implants.

Teeth sensitivity


Root cause: Acid reflux and heartburn 


The normal pH level of teeth is 5.5. When stomach acids — 

with a pH level of 2.2 — travel back to the mouth through 

the food pipe, they erode the enamel, increasing the teeth 

sensitivity. Those with sensitive teeth suffer a shooting pain 

when they eat something very hot or cold.

"Those who suffer from frequent heartburns or acid reflux 

will invariably have eroded teeth enamel. Unhealthy eating 

habits such as eating large meals, lying down on the back 

right after a meal or snacking before bed time are some 

factors that cause the valve at the entrance of stomach to 

become loose and stomach acids to travel backwards,

and brushing teeth gently will help.

Dry mouth

Root cause: Kidney disease 

"If you have persistent dryness in the mouth, it is probably a 

good idea to consult a nephrologist.  The kidneys are 

responsible for forming and excreting urine, regulating fluid 

and electrolytes throughout the body, and excreting 

hormones into the blood stream.The dentist says that a 

kidney infection causes an imbalance in the regulation of 

fluids and this shows up as a symptom in the mouth. 

Temporary dryness can be a sign of dehydration rather 

than a kidney disease.

Tooth loss

Root cause: Bone problem

Your teeth are held together by your bone quality. When that 

deteriorates, your teeth either become loose or fall. 

Conditions such as osteoporosis are one of the major causes 

of teeth loss. "The diseases can be detected early by 

identifying a receding alveolar process — the portion of the 

jaw bone which supports and anchors the teeth,, adding that 

vitamin D deficiency, common among urban Indians, is also 

leading to tooth loss.

Pain in upper molars 


Root cause: Sinusitis 

A dentist says, she often gets patients who complain of 

acute pain in their upper molars, but examinations show 

healthy gums and teeth. The cause of pain in such cases is 

sinusitis. When the maxillary sinus — air cavities within the 

cheek bones, above the upper jaw — becomes inflamed due 

to infection, it exerts pressure on the upper jaw. The roots of 

the upper molars are in close proximity with the sinus, and 

on being pressed they mimic pain of dental origin.

Pale gums

Root cause: Low haemoglobin levels 


Pale gums accompanied by fatigue and an occasionally sore 

tongue are signs of haemoglobin deficiency. The 

haemoglobin is protein, which helps the blood carry oxygen 

to various parts of the body. Iron is essential for formation 

of haemoglobin in red blood cells. Sources of iron include 

egg yolks, leafy greens, dry fruits, beans, lentils, chick peas 

and soya beans.