Role of the dentist Dental professionals are often the first to suspect a thyroid disorder that is uncontrolled and aid in early diagnosis or intervention for treatment. Dental complications can arise from uncontrolled or undiagnosed thyroid disease.
A patient who has thyroid problems may also develop dysgeusia, a condition in which your sense of taste changes or becomes distorted. Someone with dysgeusia could have problems eating healthy foods, increasing their chances of having cavities or sensitive teeth.
Even within the community of endocrinologists there are doctors that obtain additional training in the study of the thyroid. We often refer to ourselves as thyroidologists. Thyroidologists are endocrinologists who specifically study, diagnose, manage and treat the thyroid gland.
Dental health and Thyroid:
Understanding of thyroid imbalances is importance for a dentist. Firstly, the dentist may be the first to suspect a serious thyroid disorder and aid in early diagnosis. Secondly to avoid any possible dental complications resulting from treating thyroid patients.
When your thyroid is not working properly, you can have problems with taste, dry mouth, or a burning pain in your mouth. Dry mouth increases the risk of cavities. When your thyroid is underactive, you may experience jaw spasms from time to time or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).
Dental infections like gingivitis or periodontitis most often happen when bacteria invade the pulp (the portion of the tooth that is alive) and spread to surrounding tissues. These infections may be due to tooth decay, trauma, or dental procedures. Infections like these may trigger thyroid autoimmunity.
But what if that tongue has wavy edges that look like the edges of a pie crust? You could have a condition known as scalloped tongue. It's a known sign of hypothyroidism and other underlying health conditions. Ahead, we'll look at the ins and outs of scalloped tongue and the connection to hypothyroidism.
Individuals with an underactive thyroid experience a greater occurrence of dental cavities, tooth sensitivity, bleeding gums, and even decaying molars.
Hashimoto's
Hashimoto's is a disease that attacks the thyroid gland, which causes hypothyroidism (a lack of thyroid hormone production). Oral signs of Hashimoto's disease include gingival inflammation, periodontitis, and tooth decay.
Tests your GP might do
After your examination, your doctor might take some blood tests to assess how well your thyroid is working. They might need to refer you to hospital for tests. Or they might refer you directly to a specialist. Ask your GP to explain if they don't think you need a referral or any tests.
Your primary care doctor should be able to help you monitor your condition most of the time. However, there may be situations when you need the care of a thyroid specialist. Most people with hypothyroidism take synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medication to make up for what the body isn't producing.
Although the thyroid is part of the endocrine system, an endocrinologist is not the only type of physician who can diagnose thyroid problems. In fact, primary care doctors are often the first line of defense and in many cases, can often manage thyroid issues themselves without the added need of specialists.
The two major causes of thyroid disorders are nutrient deficiency and autoimmune disease. Iodine is a crucial nutrient for thyroid function. Thyroid hormone is rich in iodine, and deficiency of iodine can cause both hypothyroidism and goiter (a swelling of the thyroid gland) (5).
Your body has a complex system for controlling the level of thyroid hormones in your body. First, your hypothalamus (a part of your brain located on the undersurface of it) secretes thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH), which stimulates a part of your pituitary gland to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
According to Dr. Izabella Wentz, a doctor of pharmacy, “the same bacteria that contribute to gum disease or periodontitis produce an inflammatory response associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis—the underlying cause of hypothyroidism.” Learn more from Dr. Wentz: Periodontitis, a Trigger for Hashimoto's?
Symptoms of Rash Due to Thyroid Disease
This itchy rash can occur on the neck, chest, back, face, and buttocks.
Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid is not making. There's no way of preventing an underactive thyroid.
Lingual thyroid is an abnormal mass of ectopic thyroid tissue seen in base of tongue caused due to embryological aberrancy in development of thyroid gland. Most of the ectopic tissue is seen in the tongue.
Often, people with an underactive thyroid have facial puffiness, especially around the eyes. The skin may also become dry and scaly.
Common symptoms are fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, constipation, hair loss, "brain fog," skin dryness, nail changes, and menstrual cycle changes (typically irregular cycling). Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
You may feel nervous, moody, weak, or tired. Your hands may shake, your heart may beat fast, or you may have problems breathing. You may be sweaty or have warm, red, itchy skin. You may have more bowel movements than usual.
People with hypothyroidism may also have headaches, including pulsing pain, on both sides of the head. In most cases, the headaches subside after the person receives effective treatment for hypothyroidism. either or both of the following: significant, simultaneous worsening of the headaches and hypothyroidism.