Dental Library

Daily Brushing

Brushing your teeth three or more times a day is a key ingredient in maintaining a healthy smile. Unfortunately, due to forgetfulness or time constraints, many people do not take the time required to brush away the harmful substance known as plaque each day. Plaque is the major cause of tooth decay, which results from the consumption of food, especially those rich in sugar and carbohydrates.

You should be sure to employ the proper technique and tools when brushing to ensure it is as effective as possible. You should always use an ADA approved toothbrush and toothpaste. Electronic brushes are a great alternative to soft bristle brushes and are usually more effective. Brushing sessions should last anywhere from one to two minutes, during which all tooth surfaces should be cleaned. You should move your toothbrush in a small circular motion around the outer, inner, and biting surfaces of every tooth. After brushing, you should be sure to rinse with water or some form of oral antiseptic.

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Flossing

While brushing your teeth is a great method for cleaning tooth surfaces, flossing is still necessary to clean between teeth and under the gum line where bacteria can hide. Combined with daily brushing, flossing can help prevent gum disease and tooth decay.

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Flouride

Fluoride is a mineral found in many natural substances we consume everyday. The Practice of fluoride therapy involves the application of fluoride to teeth to prevent tooth decay. It is generally agreed that fluoride therapy is very useful in dentistry today. Fluoride is typically applied to teeth topically with mouth rinse or gels. There are also many types of toothpaste that contain fluoride.

There are three ways in which fluoride can help prevent tooth decay. First, fluoride can lead to the formation of new tooth material through re-mineralization. Second, this new tooth material tends to be harder and more resistant to the decay process caused by bacteria in plaque. Third, fluoride can impair the ability of bacteria to metabolize sugars, thus reducing their acid production and slowing the decay process.

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AntiPlaque Rinses

In addition to anti-cavity rinses, many anti-plaque or anti-gingivitis rinses are available to help promote good oral health. Anti-plaque rinses work by eliminating the plaque-causing bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and eventually, gingivitis. Incorporating an anti-plaque rinse into your daily oral hygiene regimen can help reduce plaque build-up and prevent gingivitis.

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Sugarless Gum

Chewing sugarless gum after and/or between meals can also help reduce your risk of gingivitis. This is because chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva inside your mouth, which helps neutralize the plaque acids that cause tooth decay, thereby reducing the plaque build-up. Sugarless gum uses chemicals like xylitol to make the gum taste sweet, without using sugar. Chewing sugarless gum can also be a helpful in reducing consumption of sugary snacks or when quitting smoking.

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Basic Cleaning

Taking care of your teeth with basic cleanings and active dental care can help to prevent many painful and costly problems in the future. It is all about prevention. Brush your teeth often, floss your teeth well, and get your teeth cleaned professionally at the dentist's office every six months.

Why is it vital to visit the dentist for periodic cleanings? First, that makes it easier for your dentist to ensure the health of your teeth. Cavities can be detected and repaired promptly. Second, and just as importantly, regular cleanings remove plaque and tartar that not only detract from the luster of your teeth but also eat away at your dental health, promoting tooth decay, bad breath, and gum disease.

Even with crowns, bridges and partial dentures the necessity for regular cleanings does not diminish and, if anything, the need is increased. Keeping them in good condition is important if you want to avoid further procedures.

Daily brushing and flossing will keep you mouth healthy and make your teeth cleanings easier. Look at the few minutes a day you spend taking care of your teeth as an investment that will keep away time -consuming procedures and costly bills in the future. Daily cleanings will also keep your smile beautiful for years to come.

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Crowns

The placing of a crown is a restorative procedure used to reinforce the structure and function of a tooth after tooth decay has taken place. When decay in a tooth has become so advanced that large portions of the tooth must be removed, crowns are often the best solution to return the full functionality and appearance of the tooth.

Placing a crown is an indirect method of restoring teeth. Typically, crowns are superior to direct methods of tooth restoration, such as fillings or inlays. The advantages to restoring a tooth with a crown include limited in-chair time for the patient and protection against further decay or in some cases fracture. The materials used to crown a tooth typically consist of gold, ceramic, or some combination of the two.

The procedure involves the removal of a significant amount of tooth structure, followed by the fabrication of the actual crown, which has been made much more accurate and precise with advances in computer technology, like CAD/CAM. Once the crown has been molded to the proper shape, it is then set over the tooth.

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Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are one of the easiest and most cost-effective dental procedures used to make minor cosmetic improvements to teeth. Requiring a quick and simple procedure to apply, composite fillings can substantially improve the appearance of teeth in a short period of time.

Other names for composite fillings include resin fillings, white fillings, and bonding. The whole filling procedure usually takes about an hour.

Composite fillings are what dentists use to repair small cavities or chips in front teeth, as well as fill cavities cosmetically in back teeth. Composite fillings typically can be used to accomplish the same results as porcelain veneers with respect to improving the appearance of the teeth. They are cheaper and require a simpler procedure than veneers, but there are some disadvantages.

They are not as strong as porcelain veneers and are more susceptible to stains than materials used in other restorations. Composite fillings are also more likely to need repair over time and do not have as much natural beauty as porcelain veneers.

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Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is much like your own enamel. It is a special resin composite that adheres to your teeth creating a hard protective barrier. Bonding can solve many cosmetic problems, such as stained, gapped, chipped, or misaligned teeth at an affordable price. Dental bonding can provide a patient with a reshaped smile, usually in one office visit. The color of the bonding material can be adjusted to match a patients natural color so it is not noticeable to the naked eye. Bonding is not a permanent solution. Depending on patients oral habits, it can last up to ten years or more, before requiring a new treatment.

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are an ideal way to replace missing teeth. They are substitutes for natural tooth roots that rely on bone for support. Dental Implants give a stable base to replacement teeth and are a proven, long lasting alternative to dentures and dental bridges. Implants bond with the bone as substitute roots to form a stable foundation for permanent replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth.

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Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are used to prevent tooth decay. They are thin plastic coatings applied to permanent teeth to seal crevices. The sealant acts as a barrier to tooth decay by physically preventing oral bacteria from collecting in crevices and creating the acid environment that allows tooth decay to develop. There is no pain involved in applying dental sealants and the process is relatively quick. The cost of preventing tooth decay with the use of dental sealants is significantly less than treating oral disease once it has developed.

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Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain laminate veneers, or simply veneers, are custom-made porcelain wafers that are placed over teeth to enhance their appearance and to repair damage. Veneers can dramatically transform damaged and misshapen teeth into a beautiful smile.

Veneers can be used to improve a wide variety of cosmetic dental problems. They can be used to whiten discolored teeth or just a single stained tooth when a full whitening procedure is not necessary. They can also be used to close gaps between teeth or straighten a crooked smile without the need for braces. Veneers also can be used to repair chips and imperfections resulting in a more attractive and youthful looking smile. In most cases a minimum of six veneers are needed and are usually placed on the upper six front teeth.

The initial procedure usually lasts from one to two hours. To begin, a thin amount of enamel is removed from the outer layer of the tooth to ensure that the veneer can be bonded permanently later. Molds or impressions of the mouth are then taken and the shade is matched. Occasionally, temporary veneers are provided for the patient to wear while the permanent veneers are being made in order to protect the exposed teeth. It usually takes about two weeks for the porcelain to be crafted into the final veneers. At this point, another quick visit is required in order to fasten the permanent veneers.

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Root Canal

Endodontic therapy, also known as a root canal, is a treatment used to restore health to the inner pulp of a tooth. The therapy involves the removal of the inner material of a tooth, including nerve tissue, blood vessels, and other connective tissues. The inner area of the tooth is then cleaned thoroughly to remove any infection and restore the tooth to a healthy state. The space once occupied by the tooth pulp is then filled with an inert substance to restore the inner structure of the tooth. After a root canal, a crown is usually placed over the tooth to prevent further microbial infection.

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Orthodontics (Braces)

Orthodontics is a dental specialty devoted to the study and treatment of tooth irregularity and improper jaw alignment. Using braces to manipulate the positioning of teeth is the best-known method used by orthodontists to bring teeth into proper alignment. Surgery can also be used as a treatment in severe cases, but is generally avoided.

Braces are most commonly used to improve the appearance of teeth in children and adults who have crooked teeth or teeth with wide gaps. Braces are most effective for children because they can insure proper alignment during growth. Moving teeth with braces requires multiple visits and can cause some discomfort. The process typically takes much longer than other dental procedures, usually lasting about 18 to 24 months.

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Tooth Shaping

In a tooth-shaping procedure, a small amount of enamel is removed in order to reshape the tooth. Typically, the amount of enamel removed ranges from one to two millimeters. The procedure can shorten abnormally long teeth, round off pointed teeth and help to create a pleasing smile that naturally follows the contour of the lower lip.

Tooth shaping is relatively brief, ranging from fifteen to thirty minutes. It is painless, with only a small amount of patients feeling a slight increase in sensitivity after the procedure. The procedure has no long-term side effects and does not cause permanent damage.

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Tooth Whitening

Tooth whitening can create a brighter smile quickly, painlessly and inexpensively. Tooth whitening can remove years of staining caused by coffee, wine, soda and many other substances. Tooth whitening is a relatively simple process that can be performed by a dentist or at home with a store-bought product. Systems managed by dentists are much more effective than store-bought systems, though. Store-bought systems have the potential of causing unnecessary pain and uneven whitening. Since the mouth trays are not custom made, they can also cause gum irritation and require much longer use to achieve similar results. There is typically little to no discomfort involved with the procedure when performed by a dentist and it can leave your smile looking much healthier.

Tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide-based materials to whiten teeth. It is imperative that the patient be in good dental health before the whitening procedure. This includes making sure that there are no cavities present and that the gums are healthy. Most in-office systems use 35 percent hydrogen peroxide gels coupled with a high-intensity light to whiten the teeth. The gums are protected to insure they are not damaged through the bleaching process. A laser or plasma arc light source activates the peroxide in order to oxidize stains on the tooth surface. Teeth typically become four to six shades lighter. The whole procedure takes about an hour.

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The Importance of a Well-Balanced Diet

Not only is a well-balanced, healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and grains essential for the promotion of good health and overall well being, a well-balanced diet also contributes to good oral health. Just as your body needs vitamins and minerals to build strong, healthy bones, it needs the same vitamins and minerals to build strong and healthy teeth and gums.

Moreover, a poor diet lacking in essential nutrients can contribute to the development of periodontal disease and related problems, which, in most cares, are troubles that can be avoided with healthy eating habits, proper oral hygiene, and adequate oral care. To that end, a comprehensive approach to oral health should always include a well-balanced diet.

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Sugar and Cavities

As most of us were told in childhood, eating too much candy causes cavities. Well, while it is not quite that simple, the general rule is that refined and processed sugars should be consumed in moderation. This rule is not only a good rule to follow in promoting whole body health, it is especially important when promoting good oral health.

Although all carbohydrates break down into a simple sugar such as fructose, sucrose, or lactose, at some point in the digestive process, refined and processed sugars are different. Refined and processed sugars are fermentable carbohydrates, which begin to break down while inside your mouth, and are easy targets for the bacteria that live there.

How do refined and processed sugars promote tooth decay? Well, invisible germs or bacteria are always at work inside your mouth. Sometimes, these bacteria form a sticky film on the surface of your teeth called plaque. When refined and processed sugars are consumed, plaque bacteria inside your mouth work with these sugars to produce acids.

Once these acids are created, they begin to eat away at your tooth enamel by dissolving the minerals inside the tooth enamel. This process is called demineralization, and helps contribute to the formation of dental caries or cavities, as they are commonly called. Likewise, there is also a process called remineralization, whereby the tooth enamel regains its strength. Saliva and fluoride help this process, and so do certain foods.

However, tooth decay begins when acids are depleting minerals faster than minerals are being renewed. Moreover, sticky foods that stay inside your mouth longer, such as potato chips and raisins, lead to higher acid production because the bacteria has an increased amount of time to work with the sugary foods. Additionally, midday snacking or consumption of sugary drinks throughout the day can increase your chances of tooth decay by providing the bacteria in your mouth a steady source of sugar with which to produce acids. Furthermore, if you are snacking on sugary treats midday, there is less chance that you are eating foods that help neutralize the acid production. This is why people who snack on sweets between meals experience more tooth decay than those who do not snack.

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Keeping Track of Your Sugar Consumption

Unfortunately, in America, sugar is the most common food additive, the second being salt. Moreover, even if you are not a fan of cookies, cakes, candies, and soft drinks, it would likely be a surprise if you realized how much refined sugar you are actually consuming on a daily basis.

A good way to keep better track of the amount of refined sugar you consume is by understanding the different forms of sugars, and the names for each of those forms. This way you can more easily identify sugar on a product label, and better gauge how much sugar you are consuming.

The following is a list of the forms of sugars and their definitions:

• Sucrose:

  The most common form of sugar, sucrose is commonly known as white refined sugar, or table sugar. However, sucrose is also found in molasses, maple syrup, and brown sugar.

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• Fructose:

  Fruits and honey are naturally rich in fructose. However, fructose can also be refined from sugar, cane, corn, and sugar beets, often to produce corn syrup, a common additive in a large array of food products. Here is an interesting fact about fructose: fructose is an estimated seventy-percent sweeter than sucrose, but has significantly fewer calories. For this reason, it is a common food additive.

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• Glucose:

  Glucose, also known as dextrose, is found naturally in fruit, corn, carob, and honey. In some instances, glucose, or dextrose, can also be found in a refined form. Finally, glucose is the form of sugar to which all sugars are broken down by our digestive system before it can be used or stored for energy.

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• Maltose:

  Maltose is created when enzymes combine with specific types of grains. The most widely used forms of maltose are brown rice syrup and barley malt. Maltose sugar is not nearly as sweet as the former two types and is rarely added to food.

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• Lactose and Galactose:

  Lactose is the form of sugar naturally occurring in milk. Galactose is another form of milk sugar. These two types of sugar are only found as an element of milk products. By being aware of the names for each form of sugar, you can more easily identify the sugars listed on product labels, and keep had better track how much sugar you are consuming.

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Making Healthy Choices

In the interest of maintaining general good health, it is recommended that Americans follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. However, in addition to following these basic nutritional guidelines, there are also other steps you can take to promote good oral health.

• Sugar-Free Foods

  For example, choosing sugar-free snacks and sweets is a great way to reduce your sugar and caloric intake, and decrease your risk of tooth decay and dental caries, while also doing a good thing for your general health and body. Simply look for food products that are labeled sugar-free it is that easy! By consuming these sugar-free foods, you can make a significant difference in your overall health and your oral health.

  While shopping for sugar-free foods, sweets, and snacks, you may notice that many of these products use ingredients called sugar alcohols, more commonly known as polyols. In reality, polyols contain no alcohol and are not the same as sugars.

  What are polyols? Polyols are a distinct combination of ingredients that act as a substitute for sugar but with unique qualities and advantages. First, polyols taste very similar to sugar, but do not promote tooth decay. Likewise, polyols have fewer calories than sugar, making foods sweetened with polyols a healthy-alternative to sugar rich foods and snacks

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• Smart Snacking

  To minimize the amount of time your teeth are exposed to damaging acids, limit snacking between meals and avoid fermentable carbohydrates. Here is a list of smart snack choices that promote good oral health:

  • Meats, nuts, and milk are good snack choices as they are not fermentable carbohydrates. Moreover, some foods in this category may even benefit your teeth by neutralizing the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque, and/or giving teeth the calcium and phosphorus required to remineralize the enamel.
  • Firm fruits like pears are good snack choices. Even though they contact natural sugars, firm fruits also contain a substantial amount of water, which acts to minimize the effects of sugars inside your mouth and increase the production of saliva.
  • Vegetables are generally good snack choices as they are not composed of a high amount of carbohydrates.

  The food items listed above are all great choices for snacking between meals. Whenever possible, these foods should be used as sub for sugary snacks high in fermentable carbohydrates like candies, chips, bananas, and soft drinks.

  If you are planning to consume snacks high in sugars and fermentable carbohydrates, try to consume them with meals, or decrease the amount of time you take to consume them, thereby minimizing the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acids.

  Finally, do your best to brush your teeth after eating or snacking whenever possible to remove plaque-causing bacteria, and if you cannot brush after eating, always brush a minimum of two times per day.

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Most Oral Diseases Are Preventable

A frighteningly large number of Americans over the age of 35 experience some form of oral disease. In fact, tooth decay is the second most common disorder after the common cold, and the most prevalent cause of tooth loss. This fact is disheartening because with the proper oral care and a well-balanced diet, most oral diseases can be prevented.

Unfortunately, many people go without the care they need, due to lack of education, insurance, or time, and these people may experience the early signs of periodontal disease, or gingivitis, without noticing any symptoms. In some cases, periodontal disease may advance into the later stages without any painful symptoms. That is why going to the dentist is crucial.

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Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums

What should you do to maintain a healthy mouth? Brush your teeth at least two times each day, preferably right after you eat or snack, always before you go to bed at night. Floss your teeth a minimum of once per day to remove food particles and plaque. Keep all oral appliances clean with proper daily brushing and soaking in a cleansing or disinfectant solution as needed. Visit your dentist every six months for an oral exam, to identify any signs of periodontal disease or tooth decay, and a professional cleaning, to remove plaque and tartar build up in hard to reach areas. Always inquire at your dentist or hygienist's office as to whether you should be using special tools, appliances, pastes, or washes, or rinses, to treat your specific conditions or concerns.

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Early Signs of Periodontal Disease

In addition to proper oral care, a well-balanced diet, and adequate trips to the dentist, it is also important to identify the signs and symptoms of oral disease when they start, thereby increasing your chances of reversing the process that ultimately results in tooth loss.

While a healthy mouth has clean teeth, few, if any, cavities, and firm, pink gums, an unhealthy mouth may look, feel, and behave differently while brushing and flossing. While a dentist can accurately identify the beginning stages of periodontal disease during a routine oral exam, it is crucial that you look out for the following early signs and symptoms:



• Bleeding during brushing

• Swollen, red, or tender gums

• Gums that appear to be receding

• Bad breath that does not go away

• An unpleasant taste in your mouth

• Gums that appear to be receding

• Teeth that are shifting or feel loose

• Noticeable changes in your bite or the way teeth touch

• Pockets that form between teeth and gums

• Visible pus seen when pressing down on teeth and gums

• Sensitivity to hot or cold while eating and/or drinking





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Common Oral Problems and Disorders

The build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth can cause a wide array of problems, some easily treated, and some that are more serious. Here is a list of common oral problems and disorders:



• Dental caries or cavities:

  Dental caries, or cavities, as they are commonly called, are defined as small holes in the tooth enamel that damage the structure of the tooth.

  Dental caries are caused by tooth decay, which is the result of plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth due to improper home care and infrequent professional cleanings. Dental caries begin as a small white spot on the tooth enamel. If dental caries are found and treated in time, the decay process can be reversed, and the formation of an actual cavity can be prevented. Without proper treatment at an early phase, however, these small white spots develop into actual caries or holes in the tooth enamel.

  
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• Gingivitis:

  Gingivitis is defined as the infection or inflammation of the gums that surround and protect the teeth, and is considered a bacterial infection. Gingivitis often occurs when plaque accumulates between the teeth, although there are other factors that can contribute to the onset of gingivitis, such as hormonal changes, or use of certain medications that compromise the immune system, inhibiting the body's ability to fight a bacterial infection. Gingivitis can result in swollen and bleeding gums, which are often red in color, and can be painful to the touch. Likewise, once gingivitis has developed, there may also be a foul odor to the breath.

  The basic treatment for gingivitis is regular brushing and flossing, along with regular professional cleanings of the teeth and gums, and, in some cases, prescribed use of special toothpastes or rinses to prevent further accumulation of plaque.

  Unfortunately, untreated gingivitis can rapidly progress into periodontal disease so be sure not to ignore any signs and symptoms. If you let gingivitis progress, you may eventually need to take antibiotic medication to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth and keep it at a manageable level so your immune system can fight off further infection. Ideally, however, the disease should not progress to this point, as it is completely preventable with proper care and early diagnosis.

  
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• Periodontitis (periodontal disease):

  Periodontitis or periodontal disease, also known as pyorrhea or gum disease, can be defined as the inflammation, damage, and infection of the ligaments and bones that support the teeth. Periodontitis happens when gingivitis is untreated or treated after it has already progressed to a dangerous stage. After the onset of periodontitis, receding gums are often seen, as the plaque present in the mouth moves below the gum line. As the body tries to fight the plaque, which it sees as a bacterial infection, it starts to attack the very bones and tissues that connect the teeth to the gums and keep your mouth intact. In addition to poor oral hygiene, factors like smoking or chewing tobacco, experiencing extreme stress, hormonal changes, the use of certain medications, and grinding teeth can all contribute to the development of periodontal disease. Finally, while antibiotics are often used to reduce the level of bacteria in the mouth, unfortunately, periodontitis often results in loss of teeth.

  
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• Halitosis (bad breath or oral malodor):

  Bad breath or halitosis can be caused by poor oral hygiene. However, the true cause of halitosis in patients is often misdiagnosed as halitosis can be caused by a numerous list of factors in addition to poor oral hygiene, such as eating certain foods, smoking or chewing tobacco, consuming alcohol, dry mouth, and sinusitis, to name a few.

  Often times, bad breath vanishes once food or drink has been consumed, teeth have been brushed and flossed, and the mouth has been rinsed. However, if bad breath persists after the above activities have been performed, it is a sign of a serious problem.

  Bad breath is still somewhat of a mystery amongst medical and dental professionals, possibly because it can be the result of so many different conditions. At any rate, the recommendations to remedy bad breath are rather simple, and are as follows: eat rough foods to help clean the back of the tongue, Practice good oral hygiene, clean the surface of the tongue two times a day with a tongue scraper to remove bacteria, chew gum to increase the production of saliva and reduce dry mouth, gargle with a mouthwash or rinse designed to eliminate bad breath, and drink the recommended 8 glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.

  
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• Oral ulcers:

  An ulcer inside the mouth, or oral ulcer, is defined as an opening in the mucous membrane within the mouth, surrounding the mouths, or on the lips. An oral ulcer can develop for a variety of reasons, such as a viral infection, trauma to the mouth or surrounding area, certain medical conditions, a vitamin deficiency, gluten intolerance, consumption of extremely spicy and/or acidic foods, or the use of prescription medications. In some cases, oral ulcers may also be the result of oral cancer; however, for the most part, oral ulcers are harmless, and tend to heal on their own in just a few days.

  The first most common type of oral ulcers are canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, which are sometimes thought to occur when the body recognizes a foreign chemical and reacts accordingly to dispose of the chemical and protect the body.

  The second most common type of oral ulcers is cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is important to note exposure to the herpes simplex virus is very common, even thought only a small percentage of those exposed experience an oral outbreak in the form of a cold sore.

  Depending on the underlying cause of the ulcer, the symptoms that display themselves prior to the ulcer forming will vary. Many times the ulcer starts with a burning sensation near the site of the developing ulcer. Eventually, a bump or spot will form on the affected area, until finally, and open sore, or ulcer, develops.

  Oral ulcers may take the shape of an oval, and be white or yellow in color, often with an inflamed red border. In some cases, a white ring around the ulcer is visible. In addition, a swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck area may occur.

  If the ulcer remains for longer than two weeks, a doctor or dentist should be contacted immediately, as the ulcer may be a sign or oral cancer. This goes for any inflammation of the mouth. Likewise, repeated instances of oral ulcers may indicate an immunodeficiency. Frequent incidences of oral ulcers should be investigated by a medical professional.

  
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• Oral abscesses or dental abscesses:

  An oral abscess is defined as an area of pus that develops because of an underlying bacterial infection. This occurs when the human immune system responds to a bacterial infection, carrying white blood cells to what it thinks is the infected area to eliminate the offending bacteria. The accumulating white blood cells then mix with dead cells and tissues creating pus, and, when the pus is unable to drain, an oral abscess is formed.

  When abscesses develop inside the mouth, they often form in the soft tissue of the gums, near the bottoms of the teeth, or in the areas around the teeth Abscesses can develop for various reasons, but the most common causes are food or other types of debris that become stuck in the gums, bacteria that somehow travels deep into the dental pulp, or from a periodontal pocket.

  The most prominent symptom of an abscess is a toothache and the onset of severe and throbbing pain that does not go away. You may also notice that the infected tooth is more sensitive to heat and sometimes to pressure. As the abscess progresses, you may experience a fever, pain and pressure in your sinuses, and tender or swollen lymph nodes in the neck and lower jaw areas, and, if the abscess ruptures, the fluid will drain into your mouth.

  An abscess that goes untreated can be very serious. If the abscess does not drain, the infection can spread to other areas of the body. This is why it is important to see your dentist if you experience any of the symptoms associated with an abscess. Even if the abscess drains, it does not mean the infection is gone and you must still visit your dentist for a complete evaluation.

  
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• Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (trench mouth):

  Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, commonly known as trench mouth, is a severe and very painful stage of gingivitis that often results in bleeding gums, infections, oral ulcers, and the loss of teeth. While incidences of trench mouth are rare today, they do occur, mostly to people who are living in substandard conditions or who Practice poor nutrition, due to poverty, lack of access to healthy food, or lack of education.

  Trench mouth happens when the harmful types of bacteria in your mouth multiply to a level that your body cannot control. Once the harmful bacteria starts to take over your mouth, your gums become infected, your teeth start to decay, and oral ulcers may form, causing serious pain, bleeding of the gums, and an unpleasant odor to the breath and taste in the mouth.

  Trench mouth is usually treated with a professional tooth cleaning, antibiotics, and regular brushing and flossing. These treatments will normally suffice in clearing up trench mouth; however, in some cases where trench mouth goes untreated for extended periods of time, a more persistent infection that spreads to other areas of the body can result, along with the onset of other related conditions that further complicate matters.

  
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• Xerostomia (dry mouth):

  Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is the condition that results from a lack of saliva flowing inside the mouth. Vital to oral health, saliva performs many critical functions such as keeping soft tissues inside the mouth sufficiently lubricated, acting as a buffer between the tooth enamel and the acids that are created by the bacteria inside the mouth, and helping to make possible digestion, the swallowing of food, and speech.

  Dry mouth is widespread among the elderly population in the United States, partially due to the prevalence of prescription drug use that presents dry mouth as a common side effect.

  While seemingly innocuous at first glance, a persistent case of dry mouth can lead to problems eating food, drinking liquids, and speaking. It can also lead to severe tooth decay and gum disease. Seek the advice of your dentist or medical professional if you experience a prolonged or frequent case of dry mouth.

  
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• Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders:

  Orofacial pain is one of the most common reasons that people visit the dentist. There are countless factors than can causeorofacial pain, and for this reason, the underlying cause oforofacial pain is often misdiagnosed.

  Often the result of dental caries or periodontal disease, orofacialpain may also result from an assortment of psychological,neurological, and vascular disorders. Likewise, orofacial painmay occur as a symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder(TMJD), commonly referred to as TMJ, a chronic pain occurringin the joint that connects the lower jaw and skull, also known as the temporomandibular joint, hence the name of the disease.

  The underlying causes and manifestation of orofacial pain and its related disorders are a broad area of medical study that still requires a considerable amount of research in order to be fully understood. However, it has been established that chronic pain of any sort can take on a life of its own, severely limiting patients’ social and work-related activities and causing considerable emotional and psychological distress in patients’ lives, in addition to chronic physical pain already experienced.

  Likewise, it has been noted by medical researchers that the presence and experience of chronic pain can also result in serious, long-term damage to the nervous system. Specifically, chronic pain can change the way the nervous system operates and can potentially lead to the development of a variety of disorders, while lowering resistance to other types of disease.

  
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• Craniofacial Birth Defects or Syndromes:

  It should be noted that craniofacial malformations are one of the most common birth defects seen in children, and a customary reason people are forced to seek acute and ongoing dental care.

  Craniofacial birth defects and the comorbid developmental disorders are complex problems, and while not yet fully understood, they are often thought to be part of a large group of hereditary diseases and syndromes. Of these defects, cleft lip and cleft palate defects are among the most common.

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Oral Cancer

Oral cancer, also known as oral carcinoma, has a very high fatality rate. The high fatality rate is because oral cancer is frequently detected once it has already attacked another part of the body, often the lymph nodes in the neck.

Oral cancer is an especially problematic form of cancer because there is a considerably high risk for the original and primary tumor to produce additional primary tumors. This high risk for the enhanced production of tumors increases the chances that an oral cancer survivor will experience a second bout of cancer.

Oral cancer can easily go undetected in its initial stages, an additional factor that further complicates the already challenging prognosis. There may be no pain in the beginning stages of oral cancer, and only minor changes to the tissue inside the mouth, changes that often go unnoticed to the naked, untrained eye. Nevertheless, your doctor or dentist can easily detect these minor tissue changes, one of the many reasons it is so important to see a dentist or doctor regularly for routine oral examination.

When oral cancer makes its first appearance, it tends to look like a white or red discolored patch of tissue, much like the common canker sore or oral ulcer. However, while canker sores and oral ulcers tend to heal on their own, oral cancer does not. Instead, oral cancer tends to spread throughout the body until it has reached fatal proportions and reduced patients chances of full or partial recovery, and/or survival. For this reason, it is essential that a doctor or dentist examine all tissue changes or sores inside your mouth that do not heal within fourteen days.

Even if you do not notice any sores or tissue changes within your mouth, you may still have oral cancer. Signs and symptoms to look for include the following: difficulty swallowing, pain experienced while chewing or talking, a noticeable mass or lump felt in the mouth or neck, numbness in the mouth and facial region, an earache that persists or seems to recur, or a hoarseness that lasts for any extended period.

Seek immediate care from your doctor or dentist if you experience any of the above signs and symptoms.

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