Oral Health

Authored By: Greg Johnstone

Bad Breath or Halitosis: Researchers have found that most halitosis originates in the mouth due to open-air interaction with bacteria in the mouth. A smaller percentage of bad breath cases originate in the nose. There are numerous nasal triggers for bad breath. Nasal dysfunction, including a genetic abnormality in the nasal passage, may inhibit proper mucous flow. The bacteria found in sinusitis, post-nasal drip, and allergies may pass from the nose to the back of the tongue, where it can lie dormant if neglected due to improper saliva flow or poor dental hygiene. (Read More)

Bruxism or Teeth Grinding: Grinding of the teeth on a regular basis is referred to as bruxing; the condition itself is called bruxism. If bruxing persists, as it does in an estimated 20 percent of the population during waking hours and eight percent during sleep, it can have a negative effect on tooth enamel, bone, gums and the jaw. While there is no cure for bruxism, the condition can be managed through treatment. (Read More)

Canker Sores: Known by dental and medical professionals as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are one of the most common oral conditions affecting people everywhere. Up to 25 percent of the population has these small, painful, persistent sores, with recurrence rates of up to 50 percent. Canker sores typically heal without treatment. There are a number of home remedies that may alleviate pain or shorten the duration of canker sores. (Read More)

Dental Hygiene: Also known as oral hygiene, dental hygiene is the process by which preventative dental care is provided to avoid dental emergencies. At the core of dental hygiene is the in-home dental care regimen that you perform. Next is the professional preventative dental care provided by dentists and dental hygienists. While you are responsible for day-to-day dental maintenance, dental hygienists play an important role in dental hygiene, and general dentists, family dentists and cosmetic dentists oversee every aspect of it. (Read More)

Dental Plaque: A sticky, colorless film that continually forms in between and on the surface of the teeth, dental plaque is a biofilm that is made up of microorganisms such as streptococcus mutans and other bacteria. It can develop on teeth above the gum line (supragingival), below the gum line on the roots of teeth (subgingival), and along the gum line (gingival). (Read More)

Dental Sealants: For more than 30 years, sealants have offered a protective plastic coating that covers the surfaces of teeth to help prevent tooth decay. The procedure is usually performed on newly-erupted permanent molars, but is sometimes recommended on other teeth that have deep pits and grooves that may be prone to dental caries. It is necessary to repeat the application of sealants regularly due to the gradual loss of the sealant material from natural wear and tear of the teeth. (Read More)

Fluoride: According to the American Dental Association (ADA), widespread availability of various sources of fluoride has greatly diminished tooth decay rates in America and abroad. The naturally occurring compound has been proven to effectively reduce the prevalence of dental caries and tooth decay. Your dentist can help determine if you are receiving an appropriate amount of fluoride in your diet. (Read More)

Medication Side Effects: Dentists have learned that certain medications may negatively impact oral health. Some medications have been known to contribute to dry mouth syndrome (xerostomia), a relatively common medical condition that may lead to tooth decay, oral fungal infections, or speaking/swallowing difficulties. This is especially true for denture wearers. Other oral health side effects associated with certain medications include excessive growth of the gingiva (which can lead to bone loss), the shifting of teeth and tooth decay. The good news is that the dental community has developed some tips aimed at helping you avoid medication-induced oral side effects. (Read More)

Oral Cancer: According to the American Cancer Society, more than 28,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually, with more than 7,000 of these cases resulting in death. Oral cancer may occur on the mouth, lips, tongue, gums, salivary glands and throat (oropharyngeal). Oral cancer often begins with an asymptomatic stage during which symptoms can go unnoticed. Oral cancer can therefore be difficult to detect, though dental and medical professionals are trained to recognize precancerous and cancerous lesions. (Read More)

Oral and General Health: Failure to adequately care for your teeth, gums and your bite can result in the development of medical conditions far more serious than gum disease (periodontitis), tooth decay or tooth loss. Today, the medical and dental communities are taking steps towards accurately documenting the connection between medical conditions, diseases and oral health. (Read More)

Oral Health and Pregnancy: Expectant mothers and women contemplating pregnancy have unique considerations when it comes to dental care. Failure to adequately care for your oral health during this sensitive time could have serious consequences for you and your child. It is important to properly care for your teeth before, during and after pregnancy to safeguard your oral health and that of your unborn child. (Read More)

Oral Herpes: Widely known as cold sores or fever blisters, herpes labialis is a common and generally benign viral condition, which produces painful and frequently unsightly sores on the lips or adjacent skin. The virus may also cause sores on the bone-bearing tissues such as the gums and the roof of the mouth. In the U.S., up to 60 percent of children are exposed to the virus by late puberty and nearly 90 percent of adults carry the virus by age sixty. Only about 40 percent of those infected experience outbreaks of oral herpes. (Read More)

Save that Tooth: According to the American Association of Endodontics, more than five million teeth are knocked out every year. A knocked-out tooth can be saved if the proper emergency steps are taken immediately to preserve it. (Read More)

Smoking & Dental Care: If you are a smoker, your dental care needs are considerably more demanding. In fact, cigarette smoking is a leading cause of gum disease (periodontal disease) and associated tooth loss. Smokers and tobacco users are at an increased risk for leukoplakia, inflammation of the salivary glands and development of lung, throat or oral cancer. (Read More)

Toothaches: Bothered by toothache? Fearful that the drill will be more difficult to endure than the pain to come, many people hold off on treatment until the bitter end. Years ago, toothaches were associated with tooth extractions - and the thought of losing a tooth could be too much to bear. Fortunately, times are changing. (Read More)

Tooth Decay: Tooth decay is a degenerative oral health condition that results from the breakdown of tooth enamel. The destruction of tooth structure associated with decay can lead to the development of holes in the teeth, more commonly referred to as cavities. Tooth decay affects millions of people, but it can be easily prevented. (Read More)

Tooth Pain & Sinuses: Under certain circumstances, there can be a direct correlation between the development of sinus infections and toothaches. A sinus infection might be caused by an allergic reaction, an anatomical obstruction in the nasal passage, the result of another bodily infection (like a respiratory infection), or in the case of teeth - an infected maxillary tooth. Pain located in multiple upper teeth may signify a sinus infection. (Read More)

Tooth Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity is a problem for roughly 45 million Americans, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Tooth sensitivity may be experienced as a tingly feeling or a flash pinch of pain that affects all teeth, certain areas of certain teeth, or some teeth overall. The pain associated with tooth sensitivity may occur constantly or intermittently. Intermittent tooth sensitivity may be caused by ingestion of hot or cold food or beverages or cold air hitting the teeth. In some cases, it may be mistaken for root damage. (Read More)

Travel Dentistry: People travel long distances to receive cosmetic dental treatment for a variety of reasons. From financial constraints, to limited access of cosmetic dentists in a person’s geographic area, to seeking the most experienced specialists in a given treatment, traveling for dentistry is a growing trend. This emerging trend raises special concerns you should consider before traveling for treatment. These concerns are especially important when traveling abroad. (Read More)

Wisdom Teeth Removal: Typically, wisdom teeth molars develop at age 10 and may begin to surface by any age thereafter until the twenties. In many cases, wisdom teeth do not surface because they are impacted against the adjacent teeth and are called impacted wisdom teeth when this occurs. (Read More)

[Updated April 2008]

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