3. Mouth
What to look for: Plaque, a sticky bacterial film that contributes to gum disease.
How to do it: Purchase some disclosing tablets — chewable tablets that temporarily stain plaque a bright color like pink or blue. After chewing, look for any colored spots; use a little handheld mouth mirror to see the back of the teeth.
Who to call: Your dentist. Early-stage gum disease is usually reversible with a professional cleaning and an upgraded oral hygiene routine; late-stage gum disease, called periodontitis, is not, says Lauren Becker, D.D.S., a general and cosmetic dentist in New York City.
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4. Throat
What to look for: Lumps or bulges while swallowing. These could signal thyroid trouble, including hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), thyroid cancer or a goiter (an enlarged thyroid).
How to do it: Have a glass of water nearby. Using a handheld mirror, zero in on the lower front area of your neck. Take a sip of water, tilt your head back slightly (keeping your eyes on the mirror) and swallow, looking for any bulges or lumps that appear in your neck. Don’t confuse your Adam’s apple for your thyroid; the thyroid sits below the Adam’s apple, closer to the collarbone, and is generally not visible unless something is amiss.
Who to call: Your family physician, internist or endocrinologist, who will examine your neck and order any necessary tests.
5. Breasts
What to look for: Changes in size, shape or skin texture — possible warning signs of breast cancer or a fibroadenoma (noncancerous breast lump).
How to do it: Standing topless, place your hands on your hips, gently pressing them in to flex your chest muscles. (Men: You need to do this, too.) Look for any changes, including lumps, dimpling or puckering, new asymmetry between the breasts, a newly inverted nipple, redness or rash, or leaking fluid. Next repeat the sequence with your hands raised above your head. This helps you “see the side of the breast and armpit better,” says Karen L. Smith, M.D., a family physician in Raeford, North Carolina.
Who to call: Your ob-gyn, family physician or internist, who will perform a breast exam and order any necessary tests.