Condition

Hypothyroidism

Endocrine

Likelihood of oral impactModerate

How likely this condition is to affect the mouth.

Evidence confidenceLow

Strength of the peer-reviewed evidence.

Oral health effects

Enlarged tongue and delayed tooth eruption (macroglossia), mainly congenital
Untreated or congenital hypothyroidism can be associated with an enlarged tongue and delayed tooth eruption; adult effects are subtler.
Clinical management: Ensure medical management; monitor; effects are limited in treated adults.
Worse gum health (periodontitis association)
People with thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, show worse periodontal status (deeper pockets, more attachment loss) than healthy controls.
Clinical management: Do a full periodontal charting; treat and maintain periodontitis; ask whether thyroid replacement is stable.