Travel & Lifestyle: What Dental Hygienists Can Tell By Looking In Your Mouth

You likely think about cavities and gum health when you go to a dental appointment, but the professionals who look inside your mouth can detect a lot more than that.

“You can tell a lot about someone’s health and habits just by looking inside their mouth,” registered dental hygienist Tajah Ferjuste told HuffPost. “The mouth really is a window to overall health. As hygienists, we’re trained to recognize signs that point to deeper issues.”

The mouth is also considered the “gateway” to the body, as it may be the source of problems in many different systems. The link between oral wellness and overall wellness extends to heart health, endocrine health, digestion, fertility and more.

“The bacteria in your mouth don’t stay in your mouth ― they’re connected to your whole body,” said registered dental hygienist and coach Amber Auger. “Small changes in oral care can have ripple effects on your total health.”

So what exactly can a dental hygienist infer about you from the state of your mouth? We asked some professionals to share what they’ve noticed.

“By examining someone’s mouth, I can often tell if they are dehydrated, indicated by a lack of saliva or a dry mouth,” said Martelle Coke, a registered dental hygienist and founder of the All Smiles Matter campaign. “While dry mouth can also be caused by allergies or certain medications, the oral cavity truly can be a window into a person’s overall health.”

Dehydration can be an indication of autoimmune diseases and other issues as well.

“Dry mouth can indicate medication side effects or certain health conditions, and it often leads to increased cavity risk,” noted Allison Cuevas, founder of The Bright Bite Dental Hygiene Services.

“By looking at someone’s teeth, you can tell if they don’t floss just by examining your gums,” said Brittany Glauz, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice. “Common signs include bleeding during cleaning, especially in between teeth, which suggests plaque and bacteria have accumulated due to a lack of flossing.”

She noted that red, swollen or inflamed gums are also strong indicators of gingivitis stemming from poor interdental cleaning.

“Tartar buildup between the teeth and below the gumline is a clear sign that those areas haven’t been regularly cleaned,” Glauz said. “Bad breath and cavities forming between the teeth can further point to inconsistent or absent flossing habits.”

In the same vein, dental hygienists can tell if you’re someone who does floss regularly, as they won’t show those signs.

“On the other hand, healthy gums are pink and firm, which often reflects good daily hygiene,” Ferjuste said.

“Shortened or flattened front teeth, chips or wear marks usually mean the person grinds their teeth ― especially at night,” said registered dental hygienist Whitney DiFoggio. “It’s a common sign that they might benefit from a night guard and finding out the cause of their habit.”

Grinding your teeth overnight can do long-term damage, so it’s helpful to identify and address the issue as early as possible. Dental hygienists notice worn teeth, microfractures and more.

“I can see stress in their jaw, whether they clench or grind, thanks to wear facets, chipped teeth or enlarged jaw muscles,” Auger said.

“As a dental hygienist, there are several signs in the mouth that may indicate sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea,” Glauz said. “These include a scalloped tongue, enlarged tonsils or uvula, a high, narrow palate, frequent mouth breathing or snoring and signs of tooth grinding, [aka] bruxism.”

If there’s excessive wear on particular surfaces or areas of the teeth, that can reflect certain sleep patterns or issues.

“While a diagnosis must come from a medical provider, these oral indicators can be important clues that prompt further evaluation and help connect patients to the care they need,” Glauz said.

“Tobacco use, whether it’s smoking or vaping, shows up in the mouth too,” Ferjuste said. “Staining, gum recession and a higher risk for oral cancer are all red flags we look for.”

Additionally, drug use can have a noticeable impact on the teeth and mouth. Certain drugs, for instance, can cause dry mouth or become very acidic in the mouth, thus eroding tooth enamel.

“Patients that have acidic reflux or suffer from bulimia often have signs of erosion,” said Kari Carter-Cherelus, a registered dental hygienist. “Basically, the acid eats the enamel off of the back of their teeth, exposing softer layers of tooth structure.”

Thin enamel can indicate chronic vomiting, acid reflux or frequent consumption of particularly acidic foods and drinks.

“The back surfaces of the upper front teeth is where stomach acid tends to make contact,” Glauz said. “This can lead to teeth that appear smooth, shiny or thinner than normal. Patients may also experience increased tooth sensitivity as the protective enamel layer wears down.”

People who primarily breathe through their mouths, rather than their noses, are at an increased risk for cavities and gum disease. There are other signs that dental hygienists can see.

“I can tell if someone’s a mouth breather by the dry tissues, red, inflamed gums along the upper front teeth, or high plaque accumulation,” Auger said. “The mouth is a window to the body.”

“Dietary habits leave clues ― think sticky plaque from frequent snacking, or stain patterns from coffee or tea,” Auger said.

As previously noted, the state of someone’s enamel can also indicate frequent consumption of particularly acidic foods and drinks, like citrus and soda.

“Certain decay patterns might suggest high sugar consumption or frequent snacking,” said registered dental hygienist and health content creator Jasmine Williams. “Staining patterns tell me about coffee, tea, wine, or tobacco use.”

“It’s easy to tell if someone isn’t brushing, flossing and tongue scraping regularly ― especially based on plaque levels, gum health, and even how fresh their breath is,” DiFoggio said. “There’s usually a distinctive odor from the bacteria.”

Insufficient or inconsistent oral hygiene habits can lead to gingivitis or more advanced gum disease.

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“When you look at someone and see signs like heavy plaque buildup, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath or visible decay, it’s usually a sign that their oral ― and perhaps overall ― health isn’t being prioritized,” said Emily R., a dental hygienist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts. “Taking a few minutes each day to care for your teeth isn’t just about a nice smile; it’s a vital part of maintaining your overall wellbeing.”

Dental professionals can recognize the various ways someone’s teeth might’ve been altered over time.

“I can typically identify different dental work someone’s had ― whether it’s fillings, crowns, implants or orthodontic treatment,” said registered dental hygienist Iman Zayed. “The quality and age of these restorations tell a story about their dental history.”

“Oral health often reflects systemic health,” Ferjuste said. “For instance, frequent cavities may point to undiagnosed diabetes.”

Underlying stress and inflammation can also come across in the mouth.

“I can get insight into someone’s overall inflammation status from the condition of their gums,” Auger said. “Uncontrolled periodontal inflammation isn’t just a gum problem ― it’s often tied to systemic health conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease or autoimmune disorders.”

Looking beyond the gums, Zayed noted that the condition of the tongue is another potential health indicator.

“Changes in color, texture, or appearance can signal vitamin deficiencies, autoimmune conditions or even early signs of oral cancer,” she said. “For example, geographic tongue (harmless but distinctive patches), oral thrush (fungal infection) or leukoplakia (white patches that could be precancerous).”