Oral Health Health Center

An abscessed tooth is an infection within a tooth that has spread to the root. Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include pain, swelling, tenderness, redness, and the presence of a pus-filled lesion on the gum. A dental professional diagnoses an abscessed tooth and dental X-rays may be required. An abscessed tooth is treated with a root canal.

Canker sores or aphthous ulcers are one of the most common causes of painful sores in the mouth. The actual cause of canker sores is unknown; however, some triggers that may precipitate outbreaks in some people include stress, anxiety, oral trauma, hormonal changes, drugs, food allergies, toothpaste, and vitamin deficiencies.

Dental implants are worth it if you need to replace a missing tooth. They can improve appearance, speech, eating, etc. and are both durable and convenient.

Bad breath can result from poor oral hygiene habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be made worse by the types of food eaten and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

A tooth abscess does not resolve on its own like other infections and, if left untreated, can cause the infection to spread, resulting in further problems.

Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless liquid (when undiluted) that has a slightly pungent smell. Yes, you can put hydrogen peroxide straight on your teeth — but only in low concentrations.

In the initial stages of decay, teeth can be saved through various diet choices and oral care routines. However, once decay progresses, rotting teeth can only be saved through dental procedures.

Yes, epiglottis can be repaired using surgery. Swallowing is vital for life. We swallow hundreds of times a day, even while we are asleep. Swallowing involves the active participation of several muscles and nerves.

There is no cure for rotten teeth, however, treatment options can help limit further decay. When a tooth is badly decayed, the dentist may extract it and replace it with an implant.

Many online sources show how to mix and fill a cavity with an at-home solution. This is not recommended because improper fillings and incomplete stoppage of tooth decay can lead to long-term problems.

Canker sores are a common complaint, and are small ulcers on the inside of the mouth. Canker sores aren't contagious (as opposed to cold sores), and typically last for 10-14 days usually healing without scarring. A variety of things cause canker sores, for example, medications (aspirin, beta-blockers, NSAIDs, high blood pressure medication, and antibiotics); injury to the mouth from dental work, braces, or sports accidents; acidic foods; allergies; and diseases or conditions like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and lupus. Canker sores can be cured with home remedies, prescription, and OTC topical and oral medication.

Learn more about cavities including symptoms, treatment, and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque, and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities and how regular brushing and flossing can help prevent dental caries.

People absorb more nicotine into their systems by chewing tobacco (snuff or smokeless tobacco) than by smoking a cigarette. Chewing tobacco or snuff can cause cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility, pregnancy complications, and nicotine addiction. Nicotine addiction can be overcome with available prescription drugs and other treatment programs.

Cleft palate and cleft lip are facial and oral defects that occur early in pregnancy. A cleft lip is a split of the two sides of the upper lip, and a cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip the fourth most common birth defect in the U.S. Repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip may require multiple surgeries.

Find out more about how orthodontic braces and retainers can provide proper alignment to crooked teeth. Get information about the cost of braces, the different types of braces, and the procedure for fitting a patient with braces.

Dental injuries range from a chipped or fractured tooth to a knocked-out tooth. Treatment depends upon the severity of the dental injury. Dental injuries may be prevented by aligning protruding front teeth with braces and using face masks and mouthguards while playing sports.

The most common disadvantage of getting a dental implant is that it is a costly procedure and may not always be covered by insurance providers.

A laceration is a wound that is usually irregular in shape and has jagged margins, which is produced by tearing of the soft body tissues. A laceration often tends to be contaminated with debris and bacteria by the object that caused the laceration.

Tongue scraping is a process where you drag a tool from the back of your tongue to the front to remove small particles and bacteria. Tongue scrapers can benefit your health and help you get that squeaky clean feel, but they can also damage your taste buds if you’re not careful.

Tonsil stones often go away on their own. If they bother you, the only way to get rid of them is through surgical removal or tonsillectomy.

No, veneers (dental veneers) do not ruin your teeth. In fact, they improve the appearance of damaged or flawed teeth. Only a small, thin tooth structure is removed to make way for the veneers. Even if the veneer cracks, you can repair the damage by getting a new veneer. Make sure you get the veneer fitted on your teeth from a qualified and experienced dentist.

Whether white spots on teeth go away or not depends entirely on their cause. Some conditions, such as dehydration will resolve white teeth spots within hours of hydration.

Dental floss is a flexible strand made of nylon filaments or plastic monofilaments. Dentists recommend flossing once a day to remove plaque, prevent gum disease and help reduce bad breath.

Experts differ on whether to correct a lip tie or not, which means treatment largely depends on its severity and presenting symptoms.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription drugs and certain medical conditions. Symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst, sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, cracked lips, a dry feeling in the throat, a burning or tingling sensation in the mouth, and a dry, red, raw tongue.

Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Read about symptoms, stages, treatment, and home remedies.

Gum problems may be caused by improper brushing and flossing, gum disease, canker sores, treatments and hormonal changes. Symptoms of gum problems include red, swollen, sore and bleeding gums. These symptoms can be prevented by brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating a well-balanced diet, drinking enough water, not smoking, and relaxing.

Toothache generally manifests as a sharp or shooting pain, which may be so severe that it doesn’t allow an individual to eat, sleep, or rest comfortably. There are a few common home remedies for a toothache.

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly are the best ways to keep your teeth healthy. Mouthwash can also help. Try these natural tooth care remedies to protect your smile.

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is usually perceived as a sign of bad oral hygiene. To understand if you can get rid of bad breath permanently, you and your doctor and dentist will first need to look at its probable causes.

The treatment of lockjaw depends on several factors, such as the severity of the condition, how long the condition has persisted, and the underlying cause.

Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums. Poor dental hygiene, stress, smoking, some medications, and a poor diet can cause gingivitis. Gingiviti-causing bacteria can be passed from one individual to another.

Bumps on your tongue can be caused by a number of factors. Find out what can cause these bumps and how you can treat them.

Here are 6 home remedies for getting rid of salivary stones. If these remedies do not work, then surgery may be required.

What are tonsil stones and how do you get rid of them? Learn more about tonsil stone problems and what you can do about tonsil stones.

Tonsil stones are small clusters of calcifications that form when food, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria get stuck in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils. Tonsil stones are hard, appear as white or yellowish formations on the tonsils, and usually smell bad due to bacteria. If symptoms occur, they may include persistent bad breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, ear pain, and cough.

Gingivitis is an inflammation that is limited to the gum line. Periodontitis always begins with inflammation of the gums.

Bad breath caused by a low-carb diet is called keto breath or ketosis breath. Keto breath typically has a fruity odor or an aroma reminiscent to nail polish remover.

Treatment for sensitive teeth may include using certain toothpaste or dental products, as well as maintaining good oral hygiene. Check out the center below for more medical references on oral health, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Waterpiks are a type of flosser that uses a high-pressure jet to eliminate plaque and oral particulars from between the teeth. Check out the center below for more medical references on dental health, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Canker sores are small lesions in your mouth. Canker sores usually last between 1 and 2 weeks and you get rid of them fast by using over-the-counter medications to treat them.

Dental fillings are hard filling substances (such as gold, silver, ceramic) used to repair decayed or damaged teeth. They fill holes caused by tooth damage. The durability and lifetime of dental fillings depends on the type of dental filling used. There are many types of filling substances.

Gum grafts are long-lasting and are expected to last a lifetime. Check out the center below for more medical references on dental treatments, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Retainers are prescribed to protect the results of orthodontic treatment. The longevity of your retainers depends largely on the type that you opt for. The two main types of retainers are removable acrylic ones and fixed permanent ones.

Most people with good immunity can rid themselves of oral thrush within a week to 10 days.

Depending on the type of dental veneer used, the cost may range from $250 to $2,500 per tooth. Check out the center below for more medical references on dental treatments, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Getting your teeth whitened is a way to brighten your smile and make yourself feel better about your appearance. The cost of prescription teeth whitening at the dentist's office is usually $400.

Scraping your tongue is a quick way to remove unwanted, unneeded material that can cause bad breath and other side effects. Scrape your tongue every time you brush and floss your teeth.

Dental implants are considered to be the best options to replace missing or damaged teeth. Depending on where it was placed, discomfort can also be felt in the chin, cheeks or underneath the eyes. Sometimes, Overall, patients report that the results are well worth the process.

Learn what medical treatments can help ease your mouth ulcer and blister symptoms and speed up your recovery. What to know about canker sores and treatments for canker sore pain relief.

Hyperdontia is a condition in which a person has an excessive amount of teeth (more than 20 primary teeth or 32 permanent teeth), which can also be referred to as supernumerary teeth or extra teeth. The cause of hyperdontia is unknown. Treatment can involve tooth removal.

A tongue scraper is a tool that is usually made from copper, stainless steel, or plastic and it helps to keep the tongue clean. Tongue scraping is safe and it may be beneficial.

A dental cleaning is typically a painless procedure because there is no cutting or injecting involved. In some cases, the doctor may drill a tooth if there is a small cavity and put some filling or a sealant. In such cases, there may have tooth pain for a day or two and some teeth sensitivity as well.

Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile product with many uses, from home cleaning to medical applications. Hydrogen peroxide should only be used short-term because cell damage to the pulp can limit the regrowth of the enamel.

Tonsils are the two protruding tissue masses at the back of your throat. Tonsillectomy means the removal of the tonsils from the back of your throat. The concerns about removing the tonsils include concerns about immunity and the possibility of antibiotic advancement.

A tongue scraper removes odor-causing bacteria more effectively from your tongue than a toothbrush. Tongue scraping is good for your oral health, but scraping your tongue with a spoon isn't very effective.

Orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery. It is performed to correct the conditions of the lower jaw and the face. The surgery aims to realign the jaws and teeth to improve their function and aesthetic appearance.

If done correctly, it’s a harmless technique — but using too much pressure or the wrong tool can have some side effects.

Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. An infant with thrush can infect his/her mother with thrush during breastfeeding. Treatment typically involves using antifungal lozenges or mouthwash.

There is a fair amount of pain after wisdom tooth removal. The procedure is done under local anesthesia. The pain peaks six hours after the procedure and may last for a few days.

Leukoplakia causes white patches on the inside of the mouth and is typically harmless. Check out the center below for more medical references on oral health, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

In addition to dental caries, common oral health problems in children include thumb sucking, tooth sensitivity, and gum disease. Check out the center below for more medical references on oral health, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Pericoronitis is inflammation of the gum tissue around the molars that often occurs in young people when the wisdom teeth erupt. Learn about causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Bad dental habits can wreck your teeth. Teeth grinding, chewing on ice, playing sports without a mouth guard, and eating and drinking sugary foods and drinks are just a few bad habits that are bad for teeth. Giving nighttime baby bottles, opening things with your teeth, and chewing on pencils can also damage teeth and tissues in the mouth. Drinking red wine and white wine can erode enamel and stain teeth. Smoking, tobacco use, and drinking coffee can all lead to tooth stains. Binge eating disorder leads to the consumption of large amounts of sugary food, which can lead to tooth decay. Purging exposes teeth to acids that can wear down enamel.

Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress or anxiety and often happens during sleep. Symptoms and signs include jaw pain, headache, and abnormalities in your teeth. Treatment may involve practicing stress-management techniques, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding gum chewing, training oneself not to grind the teeth, and wearing a mouth guard.

Teething in babies typically starts between 4 and 10 months of age. Symptoms and signs of cutting teeth include rash, drooling, decreased sleeping, fussiness, bringing the hands to the mouth, and rubbing the cheek or ear. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used to treat teething pain. Do not give aspirin to babies or children due to a condition called Reye's syndrome, which can be deadly.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disorder that causes symptoms like pain, clicking, and popping of the jaw. TMJ is caused by injury to the temporomandibular joint. Stress, poor posture, jaw trauma, genetic predisposition, and inflammatory disorders are risk factors for the condition. A variety of self-care measures (application of ice, use of over-the-counter pain medication, massage, relaxation techniques) and medical treatment options (dental splint, Botox, prescription medications, surgery) are available to manage TMJ. The prognosis of TMJ is good with proper treatment.

There are a variety of diseases and conditions that can cause tongue problems, discoloration, and soreness. Though most tongue problems are not serious. Conditions such as leukoplakia, oral thrush, and oral lichen planus may cause a white tongue while Kawasaki syndrome, scarlet fever, and geographic tongue may cause the tongue to appear red. A black hairy tongue may be caused by overgrown papillae on the tongue. Canker sores, smoking, and trauma may cause soreness of the tongue.

A toothache is a pain on or around a tooth. It may have a variety of causes, including a cavity, abscess, or even sinusitis. Toothache symptoms include pain, headache, earache, bad taste in the mouth, and gum swelling. Dental X-rays and other tests performed by a dentist are used to diagnose the cause of a toothache. Toothache treatment depends on the underlying cause. Taking proper care of the teeth and gums can help prevent toothache.

A dry socket is a potential complication that can occur when a blood clot in the gums becomes dislodged after tooth extraction. Dry socket signs and symptoms include pain, mouth odor, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. A dentist may treat a dry socket with analgesic dressing. Over-the-counter pain medications can also relieve symptoms. A dry socket usually heals within 7 days. Avoiding smoking, drinking with a straw, and vigorous rinsing and spitting may help prevent the formation of dry sockets.

Oral health is important for your overall health and quality of life. Common oral problems include tooth decay, gum disease, mouth injury, oral cancer, etc.

Dental bridges or bridges are used when there are one or more missing teeth. Dental bridges are used to fill the gap created by missing teeth. A bridge is usually made of crowns on either side of the missing tooth or teeth. It supports the false tooth and is cemented in place. A dental bridge is a false tooth called a pontic.

What causes blisters inside the mouth? Learn why they appear and what to do if you have mouth blisters.

The most common taste disorders involve phantom taste disorders, hypogeusia, ageusia and dysgeusia. Taste disorders may be related to diabetes, high blood pressure, poor nutrition, poor dental hygiene, COVID and nervous system disorders.

Mouth ulcers are also called canker sores, aphthous ulcers, and are a form of mouth sores. They are small, round ulcers that may be red, yellow, or gray. They occur in lining of the oral cavity (mucous membrane), usually on the inner surface of the lips and cheeks. The causes of mouth ulcers can be traumatic, environmental, systemic disease, or medication. Quite often, mouth ulcers are triggered by an underlying medical condition.

The most common oral surgeries include tooth extraction, dental implants, root canal, wisdom teeth removal, and bone grafting. Check out the center below for more medical references on oral care, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Here are 6 tips to relieve toothache in your child, which include saltwater rinse, over-the-counter medication, and changing their diet.

An abscess in your throat is a collection (or pocket) of pus in the space (peritonsillar space) that lies between each tonsil and wall of the throat. Medically, it is known as peritonsillar abscess or quinsy.

What are blisters on lips and what causes blisters on lips? Learn about these mouth sores, what causes blisters on lips, and how to treat blisters on lips. What to know about getting rid of blisters on the tongue. Learn about the causes of blisters on the tongue and possible treatment methods.

Several nerves and muscles control jaw movement. Due to their anatomical arrangement, lockjaw is typically characterized by a partially open jaw position.

Uvulitis, or a swollen uvula, can be caused by viral and bacterial infections, allergic reactions, inhalation of harsh chemicals, and more.

Tongue cancer is a serious form of oral cancer. In most patients, there may be a few to no symptoms in the early stages of tongue cancer.

Getting bumps on the back of your tongue is common and usually harmless, but they can be a sign of an underlying issue. Learn the signs to look out for, how to treat them, and when to see a doctor. Tongue scraping can remove bacteria and other buildup from the top of your tongue, improving oral health and minimizing bad breath.

Here are 19 simple methods to ease toothache pain; however, many of these only provide short-term comfort while you seek further help from a dentist.

Epstein pearls are whitish-yellow cysts seen on the gums and roof of the mouth in a newborn baby. These white bumps are harmless and usually go away on their own.

Child orthodontia aims to guide proper jaw growth and prevent future tooth problems. Check out the center below for more medical references on dental care, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Laser dentistry is the use of a laser during dental procedures to remove or change hard or soft tissues.

Stomatitis is a general medical term used for an inflamed or sore mouth. The condition can cause pain and discomfort. Stomatitis can be caused by factors including nutritional deficiency, poor dental hygiene, infections, smoking, dehydration, weakened immunity, stress and other factors.

Here are 16 tips for managing a toothache at home, as well as when to seek help from your dentist.

What's causing my tooth pain? Learn the signs of tooth pain and what might be causing it.

Oral lesions are generally noncancerous; however, they may cause cancer over time, which could manifest in the following nine signs.

Maintaining infant oral hygiene is very important because it maintains oral health, clears milk and food residues and avoids the buildup of bacteria. It helps the baby have healthy gums and teeth. It is recommended to begin cleaning the baby's mouth as a newborn, even before the teeth appear. Teeth brushing may begin after the teeth start appearing.

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for a mouth infection.

Black gums or gum discoloration is often due to an underlying health issue, such as the following.

Teeth naturally begin to discolor with age, as enamel wears and yellowish dentin underneath begins to show through. Here are 11 causes of yellow teeth.

Canker sores are small open ulcers that usually appear on the inside of your mouth. Causes include stress, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, foods and more. Although cold sores and canker sores have similarities, they are entirely different conditions. Canker sores are not contagious, but cold sores are. Canker sores show up inside the mouth, while cold sores are often seen on the lips.

What are tonsil stones and what causes them? Learn the signs of tonsil stones, what causes them, and what you can do to treat them.

Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid oxidizing agent. Hydrogen peroxide is good for your teeth and gums because it whitens teeth and helps fight inflammation.

Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth that only partially erupt allow for an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection, which results in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness. Before your wisdom teeth are pulled, the teeth and the surrounding tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Recovery from wisdom tooth removal depends upon the difficulty of the extraction.