Diabetes
People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire bodies. Unfortunately, the mouth and teeth are not immune from such problems, and many diabetics with oral problems go undiagnosed until conditions become advanced. Infections and other problems such as receding gums and gum disease, or periodontal disease, are common […]
Toothaches
Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and other matter. Sometimes, a toothache can be caused or aggravated by a piece of debris lodged between the tooth and another tooth. Avoid placing an aspirin between your tooth and gum to relieve pain, because the dissolving aspirin can […]
Cavities and Tooth Decay
What Is Tooth Decay?Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities are called caries, which are caused by long-term destructive forces acting on tooth structures such as enamel and the tooth’s inner dentin material. These destructive forces include frequent exposure to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates; soda, candy, ice […]
Canker/Cold Sores
People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. Both can be painful, but knowing the differences can help you keep them in check. A canker sore is typically one that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. It is usually light-colored at its base and can have a red […]
Bulimia Nervosa
People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is because many of the behaviours associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa-such as binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and use of diuretics or laxatives-cause changes in the mouth. For example, repeated episodes of vomiting, which is common in people with bulimia, release […]
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
An estimated sixty-five percent of Americans have bad breath. Over forty-million Americans have “chronic halitosis,” which is persistent bad breath. Ninety percent of all halitosis is of oral, not systemic, origin. Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter halitosis products, many of which are ineffective because they only mask the problem. What […]
Abscessed Tooth
Treatment of an abscessed tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of bacteria from the root of the tooth to the tissue just below or near the tooth. In general, a tooth that has become abscessed is one whose underlying pulp (the tooth’s […]