3. Mouth
What to look for: Plaque, a sticky bacterial film that contributes to gum disease.
How to: Buy disclosing tablets — chewable tablets that temporarily color the plaque a bright color like pink or blue. After chewing, look for colored spots; use a small mouth mirror to see the back of the teeth.
Who to call: Your dentist. Early-stage gum disease is usually reversible with professional cleaning and an improved oral hygiene routine. Advanced gum disease, called periodontitis, is not one, says Lauren Becker, DDS, a general and cosmetic dentist in New York City.
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What to look for: lumps or bulges when swallowing. These could signal thyroid disorders, including hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), thyroid cancer, or goiter (an enlarged thyroid).
How to: Have a glass of water nearby. Using a hand mirror, focus on the lower front part of your neck. Take a sip of water, tilt your head back slightly (keeping your eyes on the mirror) and swallow, checking for any bulges or bumps that appear in your neck. Don’t confuse your Adam’s apple with your thyroid; the thyroid sits below the Adam’s apple, closer to the collarbone, and is usually not visible unless something is wrong.
Who to call: Your family doctor, internist or endocrinologist, who will examine your neck and order the necessary tests.
5. Boobs
What to look for: Changes in the size, shape or texture of the skin – possible warning signs of breast cancer or fibroadenoma (large non-cancerous breast).
How to: Standing shirtless, place your hands on your hips, pressing them gently to flex your chest muscles. (Men: You should do this too.) Look for any changes, including bumps, dimples, or creases, a new asymmetry between the breasts, a newly inverted nipple, redness or rash, or leaking fluid. Then repeat the sequence with your hands raised above your head. This helps you “see the side of the breast and armpits better,” says Karen L. Smith, MD, a family physician in Raeford, North Carolina.
Who to call: Your obstetrician, family doctor or internist, who will perform a breast exam and order the necessary tests.
