oral health

What are dental fillings? Dental fillings last for various lengths of time depending on the material. 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. Usually, dental fillings cannot completely repair the entire damage to teeth, but they are necessary to replace the tooth …

What are some taste disorders? Taste disorders may change the taste of food or a lead to a loss of taste all together. The most common taste disorders involve Phantom taste perception: A lingering, unpleasant taste in the mouth without the presence of any substance. Hypogeusia: Reduced ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami. Ageusia: Loss of all …

What are mouth ulcers? The causes of mouth ulcers can be a traumatic, environmental, systemic disease, or medication. An ulcer usually forms as a break in the skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue. Mouth ulcers are also called canker sores, aphthous ulcers, and are a form of mouth sores. They are small, round ulcers that may be …

What is a mandibular nerve block? A mandibular nerve block numbs parts of the mouth and face in preparation for surgery. A mandibular nerve block is a procedure to numb the lower jaw (mandible) and a part of the mouth and tongue. An anesthetic solution is injected adjacent to the mandibular nerve to block the transmission of pain signals from …

Facts you should know about teething Teething can cause significant pain in babies. Teething is the process by which a baby's teeth erupt, or break through, the gums. Teething generally occurs between 6 to 24 months of age. Symptoms of teething include irritability, tender and swollen gums, and the infant wanting to place objects or fingers into the mouth in …

Chewing tobacco facts Chewing tobacco contains nicotine and many known cancer-causing substances. Smokeless, snuff, or chewing tobacco contains nicotine as well as many known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). More nicotine is absorbed by chewing tobacco than by smoking a cigarette. Chewing tobacco use is a risk factor for the development of oral cancers and precancers. Other health risks of chewing tobacco …

What are wisdom teeth? Wisdom teeth refer to any of the four third molars that grow in after puberty. Wisdom tooth is another name for any one of four third molars found in the permanent dentition (adult teeth). These teeth are the last or most posterior teeth in the dental arch. Although most people have wisdom teeth, it is possible …

Facts you should know about toothaches Readers Comments 26 Share Your Story Toothache home remedies can provide relief for pain, but they are temporary fixes. A toothache is pain that occurs in or around a tooth. The pain originates from within a tooth or the surrounding gum and bone structures. One usually feels toothache pain as a constant or intermittent …

What are tonsil stones? Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story Tonsil stones can form when food, mucus, and bacteria get stuck in craters of the tonsils. The tonsils are lymph nodes located at the back of the throat. Tonsil stones (also called tonsilloliths or tonsil calculi) are small clusters of calcifications or stones that form in the craters (crypts) of …

Tongue facts Your tongue can say a lot about your health. The tongue is made up of a mobile group of muscles that is attached to the floor of the mouth. The surface of the tongue is covered with small bumps called papillae. The majority of our taste buds are in these papillae. The tongue is used for tasting, swallowing, …