Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Oral Health

Answered: What causes angular cheilitis?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:10:41 +0000

Fungal infection is the most common cause of angular cheilitis. It’s usually caused by a type of yeast called Candida-- the same fungus that causes diaper rash in babies. Certain bacteria strains also can cause it.

If your doctor can’t find the cause, it’s called idiopathic angular cheilitis.

Answered: Can a saltwater rinse help a toothache?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:10:15 +0000

If you have a toothache, until you can get to the dentist, one of the best things you can do is swish warm, salty water around in your mouth. A good mix is 1/2 teaspoon table salt to 8 ounces of water. Spit it out, don’t swallow it.

Answered: What are the symptoms of angular cheilitis?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:09:53 +0000

The main things you’ll notice are irritation and soreness in the corner(s) of your mouth. One or both corners may be:

Bleeding
Blistered
Cracked
Crusty
Itchy
Painful
Red
Scaly
Swollen

Answered: Can I wear a mouth guard when playing sports?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:09:24 +0000

Yes. A mouth guard can limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Mouth guards also help you avoid chipped or broken teeth, nerve damage to a tooth, or even tooth loss.

Answered: What are the most common types of antibiotics for strep throat?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:08:54 +0000

Doctors most often prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin (Amoxil) to treat strep throat. They are the top choices because they're safer, inexpensive, and they work well on strep bacteria.

Answered: What is gum contouring for?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:08:28 +0000

If your gums rest too low or too high on your teeth and you're unhappy with your smile, you may be a candidate for gum contouring surgery. Also called gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, this cosmetic dental procedure can even out an uneven gum line.

Answered: Does keeping a whitening solution on your teeth longer make your teeth whiter?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:07:55 +0000

Generally, the longer you keep a stronger solution on your teeth, the whiter your teeth become. However, the higher the percentage of peroxide in the whitening solution, the shorter it should be applied to the teeth. Keeping the gel on longer will dehydrate the tooth and increase tooth sensitivity.

Answered: Can getting regular cleaning at your dentist's office help maintain white teeth?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:07:24 +0000

Professional cleanings will remove plaque, which can pick up stains from what you eat and drink. Your dental hygienist can help keep teeth looking and feeling great.

Answered: Can things you eat affect how white your teeth are?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:06:34 +0000

Yes. Things you eat or drink that can leave a mark on your hands or clothes can also stain your teeth.

Answered: How often should you see your dentist about bad breath?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:06:03 +0000

Be sure to see your dentist at least twice a year for regular checkups and professional cleaning. Your dentist can spot and treat bad breath causes such as gum disease.

Ask about other potential solutions for halitosis. For example, for dry mouth, your dentist might recommend artificial saliva. Also talk to your dentist before buying products for controlling bad breath.

Go over a list of your medications with the doctor to see if any of them could be contributing to the problem.

If nothing seems to help, the dentist may refer you to a doctor to see whether an underlying health problem could be the cause.

Answered: What are gold fillings?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:01:33 +0000

Gold fillings are an alternative to silver amalgam fillings.

Answered: What is a night guard in relation to dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:01:05 +0000

A night guard is a removable appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. It's used to stop damage caused by grinding or gnashing of the teeth during sleep.

Answered: What is an overbite?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 09:00:21 +0000

An overbite is when your upper jaw sticks out. This causes a vertical overlap in your front teeth.

Answered: What is an impression in relation to dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:57:44 +0000

An impression is a mold made of the teeth and soft tissues.

Answered: What is a handpiece in relation to dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:56:39 +0000

A handpiece is the instrument used to remove, shape, finish, or modify teeth and dental materials in dental operations.

Answered: Who should get tooth sealants?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:54:35 +0000

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are obvious candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, such as when a child's baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves.

Answered: What should I tell my dentist regarding my general health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:53:49 +0000

Talk with your dentist or hygienist about any special conditions in your mouth and any ways in which your medical conditions affect your teeth or oral health. For example, cancer treatments, pregnancy, heart diseases, diabetes, dental appliances (dentures, braces) can all impact your oral health and may necessitate a change in the care of your mouth. Be sure to tell your dentist if you have experienced a change in your general health or in any medications you are taking since your last dental visit.

Answered: Are there foods and drinks I should avoid if I want to keep my teeth white?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:42:43 +0000

Stay away from acidic and tannin-rich foods and beverages such as:

Black teas and coffee
White and red wine
Sports drinks
Carbonated beverages (dark and light-colored sodas)
Berries and other strongly-colored foods
Sauces (soy, tomato, curries)

Answered: What can you do to treat gingivitis?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:41:30 +0000

If you think you may have gingivitis, you can take some simple steps to reverse it. Start by looking at your oral health habits to figure out where you could do better. Do you always skip brushing before bed or forget to floss? If so, put reminder notes on the bathroom mirror.

Mouthwash is a big help in treating the disease. Make sure you use one that’s labeled as antigingivitis, antibacterial, or antiseptic. If you can’t remember which kind to buy, ask a pharmacist for help.

Answered: How can my dentist help me find an oral surgeon?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:39:44 +0000

Your dentist is likely to have a recommendation for an oral surgeon. If she recommends an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, she’s talking about someone who can treat disease and injuries of the areas around and in your mouth.

After she gives you a name, ask her these questions.

Why do you recommend this surgeon?
What are his specialties?
What’s this surgeon’s background?
Would you go to this surgeon?

Answered: Who should get sealants?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:38:53 +0000

Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants.

Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars and premolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14.

Answered: What should I know about where my oral surgery will happen?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:37:42 +0000

It’s important to look into where your surgery will take place. Make sure the hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office is accredited, highly rated, and has experience dealing with surgeries of your type.

If you can’t find the information online, ask the office for it. Make sure you look for information about the staff and how it cares for patients.

Answered: How can thinner veneers improve my dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:36:50 +0000

Veneers are the thin, custom-made shells or moldings that cover the front of crooked or otherwise unattractive teeth. New materials now make it possible to create even thinner veneers that are just as strong.

What’s the advantage for you? Preparing a tooth for a veneer -- which involves reshaping the tooth to allow for the added thickness of the veneer -- can be lessened with thinner veneers. Less of the tooth surface must be reduced, and more of the natural tooth is kept intact.

Answered: How can the diode laser help my dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:36:01 +0000

Dentists usually poke around in your mouth to find cavities. When the probe "sticks" in a tooth, they look closer for decay.

Some dentists are switching to the diode laser to find and remove cavities. Decayed teeth glow when they’re exposed to the laser.

The diode laser can find cavities in teeth without fillings. It doesn’t replace X-rays: It finds decay in grooves on the chewing surface, while bitewing X-rays can find decay between and inside teeth.

Answered: How does computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) technology benefit my dental health?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:35:06 +0000

CAD” stands for computer-assisted design, and “CAM” for computer-assisted manufacture. They can mean fewer dental visits for procedures like crowns and bridges.

Usually when a patient needs a crown, a dentist makes a mold of the tooth and a temporary crown, then waits for a lab to make a permanent one. With CAD/CAM technology, the tooth is drilled to prepare it for the crown, and a picture is taken with a computer. This image is relayed to a machine that makes the crown in the office.

Answered: How is laser used in dentistry?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:34:08 +0000

Some dentists use lasers to treat:

Tooth decay. Lasers can remove decay within a tooth and prepare the surrounding enamel for the filling.
Gum disease. Lasers reshape gums and remove bacteria during a root canal.
Biopsy or lesion removal. Lasers can take tissue samples for cancer testing, or to remove mouth lesions from canker sores.
Teeth whitening. Lasers are used to speed up in-office teeth whitening by “activating” a peroxide bleaching solution.

Answered: What is the difference between strawberry tongue and glossitis?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:33:00 +0000

Glossitis is a lot like strawberry tongue. It makes your tongue swollen and red -- but not bumpy.

Glossitis can also show up as a side effect of different conditions. Both can be a sign of low B12, but glossitis is most likely a symptom of something that's not related to strawberry tongue.

Answered: What are symptoms of a toothache?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:18:47 +0000

Tooth pain may be sharp, throbbing, or constant. Sometimes, it hurts only when you put pressure on the tooth.

You could also have:

Swelling around the tooth
Fever or headache
Foul-tasting drainage from the infected tooth

Answered: What causes peritonsillar abscess?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:10:12 +0000

A peritonsillar abscess is most often a complication of tonsillitis. The bacteria involved are similar to those that cause strep throat.

Streptococcal bacteria most commonly cause an infection in the soft tissue around the tonsils (usually just on one side). The tissue is then invaded by anaerobes (bacteria that can live without oxygen), which enter through nearby glands.

Answered: What are risks in tonsil removal surgery?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:09:45 +0000

If you take out your tonsils through surgery, you won’t get an infection called tonsillitis anymore. But the surgery carries some risks.

You’ll need to have what’s called general anesthesia, which makes you sleep through the operation so that you won’t feel any pain while it’s happening. Some people react to the drugs or gasses used for this.

Other risks include:

Bleeding. It’s rare, but it may keep you in the hospital longer
Swelling. In the first few hours after surgery, your tongue and the roof of your mouth may puff up and make it hard to breathe.
Infection. This is also rare, but it’s a small risk with most surgeries.

Answered: What is the link between periodontal disease and heart disease?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:09:22 +0000

Researchers are still trying to figure out what, if anything, links gum (periodontal) disease and heart disease. Studies have both supported and debunked the connection. One theory is that mouth bacteria responsible for gum disease can move into the bloodstream and inflame the blood vessels, which in turn can lead to heart disease and stroke. But it’s unclear if the higher rates of heart disease in people with gum disease is simply coincidental.

Answered: What should you know about dental care after a stroke?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:08:56 +0000

If you have heart disease, you may need to take special care with dental treatments. If you’ve had a stroke and are taking anticoagulants (blood-thinning drugs), tell your dentist. The drugs can make you bleed too much during oral surgery or other procedures.

If you don’t make as much saliva as before because of your stroke, your dentist may recommend artificial saliva. If you have trouble moving your hands or face muscles, you can practice good dental care with fluoride gels, new ways to brush and floss, mouth rinses, and other tools and strategies.

Answered: Does food affect oral lichen planus?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:08:29 +0000

certain foods and drinks -- especially spicy or citrus ones -- can make your symptoms worse. Hot or cold foods and drinks can also make you more uncomfortable.

Answered: How do you get black hairy tongue?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:07:58 +0000

Certain lifestyle habits and conditions can make people more likely to develop black hairy tongue. They include:

Poor oral hygiene
Smoking tobacco
Drinking a lot of coffee or tea
Using antibiotics (which may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the mouth)
Being dehydrated
Taking medications that contain the chemical bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol for upset stomach)
Not producing enough saliva
Regularly using mouthwash that contains peroxide, witch hazel, or menthol
Getting radiation therapy to the head and neck

Answered: What are symptoms of black hairy tongue?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:07:33 +0000

Other than how their tongue looks, most people with black hairy tongue don't have symptoms. The exception is when there is too much growth of the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause a burning sensation called glossopyrosis. Some people complain of a tickling feeling in the back of the roof of the mouth, a metallic taste , or nausea. In more severe cases, the condition may lead to a gagging feeling. Sometimes, food getting caught inside the extra-long papillae can cause bad breath.

Answered: What are the symptoms of leukoplakia?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:07:09 +0000

White or gray colored patches on your tongue, gums, roof of your mouth, or the inside of the cheeks of your mouth may be signs of leukoplakia. The patches may have shown up slowly over weeks to months and be thick or slightly raised. They may eventually have a hard and rough texture. They're painless, but may be sensitive to touch, heat, spicy foods, or other irritation.

Answered: What is leukoplakia?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:06:46 +0000

Leukoplakia is a white or gray patch that develops on your tongue, the inside of your cheek, or on the floor of your mouth. It's your mouth's reaction to irritation of the mucous membranes there. Leukoplakia patches can also show up in a woman's genital area.

Answered: When does Medicaid cover the costs for braces in children?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:06:19 +0000

Medicaid may cover braces, especially if your child's teeth cause problems with talking, eating, or swallowing. This coverage varies from state to state.

Answered: How do financial aid programs help cover the costs of braces for children?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:05:56 +0000

Low-income families can apply to the Smiles Change Lives program. This provides access to orthodontic treatment for children between ages 11 and 18. If accepted, the child can receive braces for $250 to $500. To be accepted, you must meet certain income requirements (for example, a family of four cannot earn more than $40,000 per year) and your child's teeth must be moderately to severely crooked.

Answered: What is the youngest age a child can get braces?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:05:21 +0000

There is no set age when children need orthodontics. It depends on a child's individual needs. For example, kids with cleft palates get orthodontic appliances before their first teeth come in.

Other kids may benefit from starting treatment as early as age 6 or 7, even if they still have some baby teeth. The goal of early treatment is to prevent further problems later on.

Most kids who need early orthodontics will still need braces or additional work later, but it may be significantly less.

Answered: How can tongue thrusting cause oral health problems for my child?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:03:58 +0000

Tongue thrusting is the habit of sealing the mouth for swallowing by thrusting the top of the tongue forward against the lips.

Just like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting exerts pressure against the front teeth, pushing them out of alignment. This could create an overbite, and possibly interfere with speech development.

Answered: Why does a child lose their baby teeth too soon?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:03:34 +0000

Premature loss of a child's baby teeth typically occurs from tooth decay, injury, or lack of jaw space.

Answered: How are crooked teeth and misaligned bites treated?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:03:01 +0000

For some people, a removable retainer to stabilize the new position of teeth will be all that's needed to fix the misalignment. If overcrowding is the main problem, you may need to pull out more or more tooth. But most people need braces. Rarely, surgery may be need to correct an extreme overbite or underbite.

Answered: What problems can you get from crooked teeth and misaligned bites?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:02:36 +0000

Crooked teeth and misaligned bites can:

Make it hard to chew right.
Make it hard to keep teeth and gums clear, raising the chances for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Strain the teeth, jaws, and muscles, making you more likely to break a tooth.
Make you self-conscious about your appearance.

Answered: How can deep breathing help control dental pain?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:02:06 +0000

This technique involves breathing deeply and slowly. This floods the body with oxygen and other chemicals that work on the central nervous system and improve your comfort.

Answered: What can you do to treat gingivitis?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:01:36 +0000

Answered: What are the symptoms of tooth enamel erosion?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 08:00:58 +0000

If your teeth start losing their outer shell, you might notice:

Pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods or drinks
Rough or uneven edges on the teeth, which can crack or chip when they lose their enamel
Smooth, shiny surfaces on the teeth, a sign of mineral loss
Yellow teeth
Cupping, or dents, that show up where you bite and chew

Answered: How can my dentist help me find an oral surgeon?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 07:59:58 +0000

After she gives you a name, ask her these questions.

Why do you recommend this surgeon?
What are his specialties?
What’s this surgeon’s background?
Would you go to this surgeon?

Answered: How can methamphetamine (meth) cause mouth problems?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 07:54:52 +0000

Very many people who use meth get cavities and also often have untreated tooth decay. The term "meth mouth" refers to the stained, badly damaged teeth common among people who use it.

One reason for the damage is that the drug is acidic and causes vomiting and reflux. And even though it makes you less hungry, it makes you crave soda and sweets.

The damage can happen in a short amount of time and often leads to the loss of teeth.

Answered: How can I help my child get ready for a tonsil removal surgery?

Fri, 21 Feb 2020 07:54:28 +0000

If your child is having surgery, a few extra steps can go a long way to calm any concerns. You may want to:

Ask your child questions so he can talk about his feelings, and you can make sure he’s not confused about what’s going to happen.
Be very specific about how the surgery will help, telling him things such as “you won’t get sick as much or have as many sore throats.”
Remind him that you’ll be at the hospital the whole time.
Talk about going to the hospital -- a good general rule is to talk 2 days ahead of time for a 2 year old, 3 days for a 3 year old, and so on.
Tell your child that the doctor is taking just his tonsils out, nothing else, and he won’t look any different.