Your mouth — also known as the oral cavity — shapes the appearance of your face and helps you eat, speak and breathe. It takes many parts working together to handle so many important jobs.
Get to know the functions of the different parts of your mouth, and you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the importance of great oral health. To see a diagram of the parts of the mouth, go to the bottom of the blog.
Smiling is one of your mouth’s key functions. During stressful times, smiling can help you reduce the effects of that stress on your body.
Teeth
Most adults develop 32 permanent teeth. They are embedded in the upper and lower jaws and kept in place by the roots. Your teeth tear and chew your food, give your face its shape by supporting your cheeks and lips, and play a major role in speech.
Jaws
The upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jaws help support your teeth and assist in chewing and speaking. The alignment of your jaws also helps give your face its shape.
Gums
Gums are soft pink tissues that cover and protect the alveolar bone, the part of the jawbone that supports your teeth. Gum health is important because gum disease can lead to loss of teeth and bone support.
Lips and cheeks
Lips and cheeks work together to assist with speech and making expressions. They also keep food and saliva in your mouth when you chew.
Tongue
This powerful muscle is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is a key component in chewing and swallowing food. Adjusting the shape and position of your tongue helps you form certain words. In addition, your tongue helps clean food from your teeth.
Frenums — lingual and labial
The lingual frenum is a flap of tissue that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth, allowing the tongue to move about and help you speak. The labial frenum connects the upper lip to the gums between the two central incisors.
Palate
The hard and soft palates make up the roof of the mouth, with the hard palate at the front and the soft palate at the back. They play a role in speech and separate the mouth from the nasal cavity, allowing food and air to go through different passages.
Uvula
This small flap of tissue hangs at the back of the soft palate. The uvula helps the soft palate keep food and drink from entering the nasal cavity. It is also believed that the uvula assists with speech and has small saliva-producing glands that help keep your mouth and throat moist.
Temporomandibular joints (TMJ)
The temporomandibular joints are located on both sides of your head. They’re unique in your body because they are two joints that function as one unit connected by the lower jawbone. They must work together to open and close your mouth and move your lower jaw forward and from side to side. In addition, they help you chew, speak and swallow.
Oral mucosa
The oral mucosa is the protective soft tissue lining the covers your gums and everything else in your mouth, except your teeth. Working with the salivary glands, the oral mucosa is vital to your health because it keeps your mouth moist and clear of food and other debris, and helps you speak, chew and swallow. It also defends your body from germs that enter your mouth.
Salivary glands
There are six major salivary glands and hundreds of very tiny minor salivary glands in your mouth that produce saliva to break down food, making it easier to swallow. Saliva also moistens your mouth for speaking and chewing, in addition to washing bacteria from your teeth and gums to help prevent cavities and gum disease.
Keep the many parts of your mouth healthy with a consistent oral health routine and regular dental visits so you can maintain a healthy smile, good nutrition and clear speech.
If the shape of your teeth bothers you, or you're set to get a dental appliance that requires a tooth alteration for it to fit correctly, you may be a candidate for teeth shaving. While this procedure has become a bit of an at-home craze in recent times, we do not believe you should ever do it at home! Instead, if you have cosmetic concerns about your teeth, you should discuss them with your dental professional. To recontour or reshape your teeth can achieve therapeutic and cosmetic goals. But that doesn't mean you should take the task into your own hands. Let's go over what teeth shaving is, why your dental professional might think it's right for you, and the dangers of doing it at home.
You may be wondering, why exactly do teeth get shaved down? Teeth shaving is a clinical procedure that has been around for decades. It presents an option to help dental professionals achieve improved results for their patients. Shaving teeth down is typically a painless procedure done by a professional and does not usually need anesthesia. Let's go over the exact reasons for it!
Occlusal Equilibration
As noted by the International Congress of Oral Implantolagists, occlusal adjustment (equilibration) is the "modification of the biting surfaces of a tooth." It refers to reshaping the cusps (pointed tops) on the back teeth biting surfaces. The back teeth have numerous hills and valleys (called cusps and fossae) that help you chew your food. Ideally, your teeth should fit evenly together for a proper bite. If your bite doesn't fit, it can lead to a lot of dental problems. For example, it could cause wear and grinding, muscle spasms, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
When to shave down your teeth depends on your dental professional's recommendation. Occlusal adjustment through teeth shaving may take several dental visits to make your bite even and bring it into harmony. Your bite may feel different for a while, but the benefits will be well worth it!
Cosmetic Recontouring
The reshaping of front teeth for aesthetic reasons is also common. But again, even if the reason is cosmetic, a dental professional should do the teeth shaving. Cosmetic recontouring involves gently reshaping and polishing the front teeth to make crooked teeth appear straighter or more attractive. Enamel recontouring is probably the most common form of teeth shaving. It is usually accomplished in one visit after careful planning and close consultation with your dental professional.
Functional Reasons
In many cases, teeth are reshaped for functional reasons to accommodate a device or treatment. Also known as an odontoplasty, practical reasons to have your teeth reshaped include:
To fit the clasps and rest seats (or anchor points) of a removable partial denture.
To remove some of the enamel's outer layers, so there's more space between tipped teeth in the process of replacing a missing tooth.
To "slenderize" teeth, which facilitates orthodontic treatment in cases of severe crowding.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Conservative Dentistry noted the positive effects of odontoplasty on a group of patients undergoing a crown lengthening procedure to manage extensive crown destruction.
Risks of At-home Teeth Shaving
It's completely normal to feel like there's something about your smile that you'd like to fix. But this isn't your regular at-home beauty routine. Did you know that the enamel of our teeth cannot grow back? Because of this, it's dangerous to attempt to shave your own teeth. You could permanently damage your teeth, cause pain and sensitivity to your mouth, and make your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay if you wear down your own enamel.
We believe that for the safety and health of your mouth, communication is key! You should feel comfortable bringing teeth shaving up with your dental professional if you'd like to do it for cosmetic reasons. And they may even suggest it themselves if you need a specific dental appliance or procedure that requires it. So don't be shy! Speak with your dental professional about your goals of getting a healthier, more attractive, and more easy-to-care-for smile.
Have you noticed discomfort or pain after brushing your teeth? Noticing warning signs of oral health issues and quickly acting on them is a great way to keep your teeth and gums in excellent condition. Read the top three causes of tooth pain and what to do about them.
1.- Tooth Sensitivity
Cleaning your teeth is essential for keeping your smile healthy. If your teeth hurt after brushing or eating hot or cold foods, you may have tooth sensitivity. According to the American Dental Association, tooth decay and gum disease can cause tooth sensitivity, and you will need professional treatment. Your dental professionals can check for signs of oral health problems and recommend a treatment for tooth sensitivity, such as a special toothpaste, a crown, or an in-office application of fluoride gel.
Tooth sensitivity may be temporary. Some people report tooth pain shortly after a visit to their dental hygienist. If the dental hygienist has done any scaling or tartar removal or your teeth could be sensitive if you have gum recession, discomfort can occur from the exposed root surface. In this case, tooth sensitivity is only temporary. You can brush your teeth with sensitive toothpaste. Usually, your teeth will return to normal within a few weeks. If they do not, call your dentist and ask them to check your teeth.
If a recent dental treatment is not the reason, food sensitivity can often be a side effect of damaged enamel, which you can't get back once worn away. Damaged enamel occurs when the hard mineral that protects your teeth's surface erodes over time, as explained by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). Enamel erosion is usually the result of exposure to acid or excess sugar. Enamel that wears away can result in cavities and pain after brushing or flossing. If you suspect this is the reason for your teeth hurting after flossing or brushing, talk to your dentist.
If the enamel wears away to the point of exposing the sensitive nerves in your teeth, you have a cavity. These cavities often manifest as sharp pain when you bite down on something hard, and it doesn't have to be hot or cold to set you off. Cavities are small fissures in your teeth, but they can lead to more complicated infections if left unfilled. You should see your dentist as soon as you suspect you have one; he or she can fill it to prevent it from becoming worse.
2.- Gingivitis and Tooth Decay
Gingivitis is the initial stage of gum disease. Plaque buildup irritates gum tissue, making gums swollen and tender. Bleeding gums after brushing is a sign of gingivitis. Maintain proper oral hygiene and see your dentist if you notice these symptoms. As gum disease progresses, it can become more challenging to treat.
3.- The Wrong Toothbrush
If you notice pain and discomfort after brushing with a hard-bristled brush, then it may be time to get a new toothbrush. Most dentists recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush to keep teeth clean. Good brushing technique with a soft brush can help remove plaque and fight tooth decay and gum disease without irritating your gums and teeth. Brush for two minutes using short, gentle strokes. Clean all the surfaces of your teeth, including the outside, inside, and chewing surface of those hard-to-reach back teeth.
As you can see, tooth pain after brushing may be a temporary inconvenience after a professional dental treatment, or it may be a sign of a more serious oral health condition. Maintain good oral hygiene habits with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If you notice pain, discomfort, or bleeding gums, then be sure to see your dentist.
The human body does some pretty weird stuff, but tingling tongue is one of the stranger symptoms a person can develop. While the causes of a tingling tongue can vary widely, sometimes a tingling sensation in the tongue is a sign of serious problems. If you’re experiencing this in conjunction with any of the following, please call 911 or arrange to go to the emergency room:
weakness or numbness in the arm, leg, face, or on one side of the body
facial droop
trouble speaking
difficulty understanding or confusion
loss of vision
dizziness or loss of balance
severe headache
Any of these symptoms combined with a tingling feeling in your tongue may be signs of a stroke, and an indicator that you need immediate medical attention. Again, please contact emergency services immediately.
With that warning out of the way, there are other causes of tingling tongue. Some may require medical treatment, some may necessitate lifestyle changes, and some may clear up on their own. Let’s take a look at some of the more common causes of this sensation and what you should do about them.
One cause of this that may require medical treatment is nerve damage due to a dental procedure. Damage to the lingual nerve can occur as the result of a tooth extraction, particularly the wisdom teeth. While most of the time this damage heals itself within a few months, tingling tongue may last longer in some patients. If the symptom persists for more than about six months, it’s time to consult a medical professional.
Allergic reactions can cause a tingling feeling in the tongue or other parts of the mouth. This may also manifest as an itching or prickling sensation, and is generally due to either hay fever or a food allergy. Common food allergies that can cause tingling tongue include:
Soy
Wheat
Milk
Fish or shellfish
Peanuts or tree nuts
Eggs
While allergic reactions are generally not serious and can be treated with an antihistamine and by avoiding the triggering food in the future, some allergic reactions can be life threatening. If you start to experience tightness in the throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or swelling of the lips and mouth, please call 911 immediately.
Canker sores, sometimes called cold sores, are small, shallow, round sores that occur on the lips, inside the cheeks, or on the gums. The science behind what causes cold sores is still not clear—they seem to be triggered by any number of things including allergies, viruses, hormonal changes, nutritional issues, or minor injuries. They can cause tingling tongue, which should fade when the canker sores do; it generally takes about a week. While dealing with canker sores, avoid spicy, sour, or otherwise strongly flavored food that might irritate them and make the problem worse. If they don’t fade away in a week or so, it’s time to see a doctor.
There are other causes for tingling tongue that, while relatively rare, may require attention from a doctor. Multiple sclerosis, anemia, and hypoglycemia can all include tingling tongue as a symptom. This means that while tingling tongue may seem amusing or at worst annoying, it’s a symptom that you may need to consult your doctor about should it last for more than a week or two on its own.
Honey is very sweet and succulent; it is delicious! However, it does contain sugar. Therefore, it is important that you take care of your teeth so that you can enjoy eating the honey.
When we consume anything that contains sugar, bacterium in our mouths ferment these sugars and create an acidic product. This acidic product can cause demineralization of our tooth surfaces. This means that the enamel that coats your teeth can get broken down, exposing the yellow dentine. This can lead to tooth sensitivity. But do not worry! I shall give you some top tips to prevent this from happening so that you can enjoy your treat!
It is important to understand that the acid produced can lower the pH in your mouth. And only when the pH is lowered to below 5.5, is when the demineralization of your teeth starts to occur. My first top tip to prevent this from happening is eat the honey in one sitting. By enjoying the pure honey in one go, and not eating anything else that is sugary for the next 30 minutes, you are allowing enough time for the pH to recover and increase again back to the healthy level of pH 6.7. It is only when you keep consuming the honey, every 5-10 minutes, that they pH does not have a chance to recover and will reach pH 5.5. So, enjoy your honey in one sitting, and refrain from eating anything else that is sugary for the next 30 minutes! Eating the honey during a meal, along with other foods can also protect your teeth more than eating it alone!
My second tip for you all is to avoid brushing your teeth straight after eating honey. A common misconception is that people think it is good to brush their teeth straight after consuming sugary foods, however, this is incorrect! After eating sugar, the enamel on your teeth is slightly softer and weaker due to the acidic fermentation products produced by the bacteria. Therefore, it is best to wait at least 30-40minutes before brushing your teeth, as any hard friction caused by a toothbrush whilst the enamel is softer may actually erode the enamel away, increasing the risk of tooth decay and sensitivity! So make sure you relax for 30-40 minutes after eating the honey, put your feet up!
My third top tip for you is to use fluoridated tooth paste when brushing your teeth. Many researchers, including research by the World Health Organisation, has proven that fluoride ions help to keep the enamel on your teeth strong, as it remineralizes them. This prevents tooth decay and improves the health of your teeth. Aim to brush twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. Make sure you do not rinse your mouth with water after brushing, as this allows the fluoride from the toothpaste to remain on your teeth so that it can work its magic!
By understanding the biological structure of our teeth and the chemical processes that occur when we eat sugar, we can adapt our daily habits to ensure that we can enjoy our honey without worrying about destroying our teeth. So make sure you keep cleaning and enjoy eating!
Cavities. We've all had them or worry that our dentist might discover new ones with every check-up. While tooth decay isn't very fun to deal with, it can be helpful to understand what types of cavities there are and how to prevent them. When you're informed about the different types of tooth decay, you can communicate more effectively with your dentist and feel better about your oral health journey.
Believe it or not, 92% of adults aged 20 to 64 have had tooth decay in their permanent teeth, and 26% currently have untreated dental decay. That said, not all cavities are the same, and dental professionals use a specific cavity classification system to assess them. There are six classes of cavities based on tooth type and the location of the decay, and four classifications that describe the severity of the decay.
Cavity classification system
Dental caries, or cavities, as we commonly call them, are caused by a breakdown of tooth enamel, which is the result of bacteria on the teeth that breakdown sugars and produce acid that's destructive to tooth enamel. But what are the different types of cavities?
Class I
This describes tooth decay that occurs on tooth surfaces your dentist can see easily. This category includes cavities on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, such as your molars and premolars and decay on either the front or rear surfaces of the front teeth. Ito ang mga lugar sa ipin kung saan tumatama ang pagkain pag ikaw ay ngumunguya.
Class II
These cavities occur on the surfaces between the molars and premolars and are not visible to the human eye.
Class III
This decay occurs on the surfaces between the front teeth, but it does not involve the cutting edges of the teeth. Similar to Class II, this classification of decay is not visible.
Class IV
This decay also occurs on the surfaces between the front teeth, but it involves the cutting edges of the teeth.
Class V
These cavities appear on the front or back of either front or back teeth, near the gumline.
Class VI
This decay is found on the top surfaces of the teeth, either the incisal edges of front teeth or the cusp tips of back teeth.
When you see your dentist for a checkup, they will use instruments to help detect soft spots on your teeth visible to the eye. Your dentist may also need current X-rays (or take new X-rays) to detect cavities.
Determining the Severity of Decay
Depending on its extent, decay is classified as incipient, moderate, advanced or severe. But to understand these categories, it helps to know a bit about tooth anatomy. The outer layer of a tooth is made up of calcified enamel that protects the inner portion of the tooth called dentin. At the center of the tooth is the pulp chamber, which is the innermost layer that consists of nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue.
Using the system outlined above, dentists evaluate tooth decay based on how far the damage has penetrated these layers of tissue:
Incipient
These cavities have gone less than halfway through the tooth's enamel.
Moderate
These cavities go more than halfway through the enamel but don't yet reach the dentin-enamel junction (DEJ), the boundary where the enamel meets the dentin.
Advanced
These cavities go through the DEJ but go less than half the distance to the pulp chamber.
Severe
This decay penetrates through the enamel and the dentin and goes more than half the distance to the pulp.
Early detection and treatment of decay with fillings can prevent more serious complications or tooth loss in the future.
Preventing Cavities
Although tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children and adults, it's important to remember that it is preventable. If you want to prevent decay, here are some tips on what you and your family can do:
Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily.
See a dental professional regularly for checkups and cleanings.
Swap out sugary foods and snacks with more nutritious, balanced choices.
Ask your dentist about supplemental fluoride treatments.
Now that you're familiar with the classes of cavities, you can feel more empowered when you visit the dentist. Understanding your oral health is the first step to improving it.
When the temperatures drop each year, a particular set of oral health problems arise. People tend to have more cases of chapped lips, dry mouth, and sensitive teeth.
Instead of letting these problems rain on your parade, you can take steps to banish them while you enjoy the chilly weather. Keep reading for some tips on addressing winter mouth issues.
Tip 1: Stay Warm
When you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, wearing warm clothing can help control jaw pain, since your joints and muscles tense up in chilly weather. Simply staying warm helps reduce any clenching or tightening in the jaw area.
Tip 2: Drink Water Often
When you have an insufficient amount of saliva, it results in what is commonly referred to as “dry mouth.” From taking certain types of medication to medical treatments like chemotherapy to smoking, there are a lot of causes of dry mouth. Dry winter air can exacerbate this issue, so it’s crucial to drink plenty of water throughout the day. It will also help hydrate your skin and prevent chapped lips.
Tip 3: Use the Appropriate Toothpaste
If drinking hot cocoa or apple cider brings about sharp, short-duration pain in your teeth, you may have sensitive teeth. When your tooth enamel is weakened and breaks down, the layer below it – dentin – gets exposed to foods and beverages to cause discomfort. Cold temperatures can also be troublesome in this case. Using toothpaste for sensitive teeth protects exposed dentinal tubules from harm and makes ingesting items with hot or cold temperatures a more comfortable experience.
Tip 4: Use a Humidifier
With less humidity in the air during the winter months, your skin is more prone to drying out and becoming cracked. Using a humidifier in your home adds extra moisture in the air to help keep your skin and lips healthy.
Tip 5: Wear Lip Balm
The skin on your lips is delicate and chaps easily, making it very susceptible to cold, dry air. Using a lip balm with SPF is important to protect your lips from the sun, even in the winter, and keep them moisturized.
The winter season has its perks, but you may not see it that way if you are struggling with chapped lips or sensitive teeth. These tips can help you set those issues aside and focus on the things you do enjoy about colder weather.
When you have a cavity, you get a filling. How long a filling lasts depends on care and everyday wear and tear. Eventually, fillings need to be replaced. Sometimes, they fall out. Here’s what to know if that happens to you.
What to Do if a Filling Falls Out
The first thing you should do if you lose a filling is to call your dental office and let them know what happened. If it’s a weekday, you should be able to get in that day as most offices have emergency times set aside. If your filling falls out on the weekend, leave a message or call the weekend emergency number.
What to Expect at Your Dental Appointment
Your dental professional will examine and X-ray your tooth to determine your best option. Here are three options he or she may consider:
1. You may get a new filling
If your dental professional thinks your tooth can be repaired, you may get another filling. There are different types of filings. If it’s a molar or a premolar, you may have the choice of an amalgam (silver) filling or composite and glass ionomer (tooth-colored) material. If it’s a front tooth (incisor or canine), the best aesthetic choice is a composite and glass ionomer filling. Since your back teeth do the most work (lots of chewing), your dental professional may use amalgam filling because it’s a more robust material and will last longer. One thing to note, since many fillings are highly visible, many dental professionals let their patients make the decision.
2. You may need a root canal, crown, or cap
If there’s a deep cavity or exposure to the tooth's nerve, your dental professional will refer you to a specialist for a root canal and a crown.
3. You may need a tooth extraction
In rare situations, the loss of a filling or fractured tooth may be so severe that the only option is extraction. If this happens, your oral surgeon and dentist will present a treatment plan to replace your tooth with a fixed or removable bridge or a dental implant.
How to Protect Fillings
Many things can contribute to a filling becoming chipped or broken. It can include tooth wear from grinding or clenching to bacteria leaking into the fillings' margins and causing decay or simply because the filling is old and a replacement is needed.
Left untreated, a lost or chipped filling can lead to a root canal and possible tooth loss. To help keep your fillings from falling out, routine dental care appointments are essential. During these appointments, your dental professional can uncover potential problems. He or she may identify open margins or uneven wear before you realize you have a problem. You’ll also learn proper oral hygiene instructions to help control bacterial plaque, a leading cause of tooth decay.
If a filling does fall out unexpectedly, contact your dental professional for repairs. No filling will last forever. That’s why it’s essential to keep up with regular visits with your dental professional. He or she will help determine when is the best time to be proactive and replace a restoration.
Thyroid hormone has a major impact on many areas of the body including the oral cavity. It is one of the key factors for individual wellbeing. Thyroid disorders have become a major health burden in India. It affects approximately one in ten adults.
Understanding the difference
When the thyroid is underactive and not producing enough hormone it is called hypothyroidism. On the contrary unregulated production of thyroid hormones is called hyperthyroidism.
Insufficient levels of thyroid hormone is responsible for a slower metabolic rate, weight gain, lethargy, intolerance to cold, dry and cool skin, puffiness of the face and eyelids as the major symptoms. Such patients may also have a slower heart rate despite normal blood pressure.
Excess of thyroid hormone is recognized by tremors, heat intolerance, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased susceptibility to heart failure, increased appetite, and weight loss.
Thyroid and oral health
Excess or deficiency of thyroid hormones can adversely affect the mouth. Dental problems for people suffering from thyroid disorders are also related to specific age groups. For instance, middle-aged women and women during the menopause phase often complain of a burning sensation on the tongue or lips.
Patients with hypothyroidism usually encounter enlarged tongue (macroglossia), altered taste sensation (dysgeusia), delayed eruption of teeth, poor gum health, altered tooth shapes, long winding recovery from mouth sores and delayed wound healing.
Those with hyperthyroidism are more prone to tooth decay, periodontal disease, enlargement of extra glandular thyroid tissue, dry mouth, burning sensations in the mouth, inability to eat spicy food, faster and early tooth eruption, and vague jaw pain due to weak jawbones.
Can thyroid problems cause teeth problems?
BLEEDING GUMS
Thyroid patients often experience puffy and bleeding gums. Delayed wound healing not only leads to discomfort in patients but also increases the likelihood of an infection.
MACROGLOSSIA
A large tongue can cause a number of problems like difficulty in chewing, swallowing, speaking and even breathing in certain individuals. While sleeping an enlarged tongue may drive a thyroid patient to snore or breathe with an open mouth. Open mouth and mouth breathing causes the oral cavity to become dry causing dry mouth when you wake up the next morning.
ALTERED TASTE
This causes a patient to taste food in a different way than they usually do. Such patients may avoid certain food groups essential to health. This causes further deterioration of overall health.
GUM DISEASE
The imbalance of the thyroid hormones can cause poor gum healing leading to future gum-related dental problems. The bacterial load of the oral cavity increases dramatically and may cause swollen or bleeding gums and even an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
DRY MOUTH
This is a very common oral manifestation among thyroid patients. The decreased saliva in the mouth can cause canker sores, tooth decay and even difficulty in swallowing. It also weakens the tooth over time. This is because saliva contains calcium in traces which helps the tooth mineralize and make them strong.
TOOTH DECAY
People with overactive thyroid may have tooth cavities, sensitive teeth that hurt on sudden temperature changes and even pain in the jaw. A decayed tooth may cause bad breath which has negative social implications in a person’s life.
IMPROPER TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
Children with thyroid issues may have unusual gaps in teeth growth, crowded teeth, enlarged gums extending between the teeth, and pain or weakness in the jaw.
OSTEOPOROSIS OF THE JAW
Abnormal levels of thyroid hormone may affect the body’s ability to maintain healthy bone density through the remodeling process. This may cause bone loss which in turn may cause tooth loss.
Do thyroid patients need regular dental checkups?
Treating the hormonal imbalance may help alleviate some of the oral problems. But consulting a dentist for the dental ailments will result in a faster remedy for the same. A dental professional will treat the symptoms and recommend changes in the oral hygiene routine based on the problems faced by an individual.
Your dentist may prescribe you a non alcoholic mouthwash and a mint-free or a toothpaste that doesn’t cause burning sensations for dry mouth.
Consume low salt diet and avoid dry foods in case you are suffering from dry mouth. Avoid alcoholic and caffeine drinks. It may exacerbate their condition.
Increase the fluid intake and keep the oral cavity moist. Drink plenty of water.
Xylitol products have proven to be very helpful in thyroid patients with dry mouth and caries. It not only reduces the intake of unhealthy sugars, which cavity causing bacteria love, but also reduces the bad bacteria in the mouth.
Maintenance and treatment of the various oral issues may ensure a healthy smile and reduce the risk of developing serious conditions later on.
The bottom line
The thyroid gland is responsible for homeostasis in the body. Any thyroid dysfunction can wreak havoc and affect various parts of the body including the oral cavity. Such individuals have many oral complications like tooth decay, deteriorating gum health, and dry mouth to name a few. A comprehensive treatment for both dysfunctions of the gland and dental issues is needed.
Highlights
Thyroid gland plays a major role in maintaining the overall health of an individual. Its dysfunction can lead to many problems in the body as well as dental issues.
Hypothyroidism is deficiency of thyroid hormone in the body, whereas hyperthyroidism is the excess of thyroid hormone in the body.
Some common oral problems are dental decay, gum disease, dry mouth, altered taste sensation and enlarged tongue.
Oral problems may be an early warning sign of thyroid dysfunction.
A good oral hygiene is the way to go about it.
Regular check-ups with a dentist is essential to keep the symptoms at bay and avoid any complications due to negligence.
Bad breath can be an embarrassing issue for some individuals and may even lead to awkwardness in social settings. Knowing what causes bad breath is important because the problem could be a sign of a more serious dental or medical issue. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that you can take to treat bad breath and make your mouth clean and healthy.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an unpleasant odour that is usually detected when a person exhales. There are many causes, but most bad breath starts in the mouth. Bupa notes the most common causes of bad breath:
Certain foods: Remnants of food that remain in your mouth following a meal can cause bad odour due to bacteria growth. Pungent foods, such as garlic, onions, and some spices, affect your breath as they are digested and travel through your body.
Tobacco: Smoking cigarettes and cigars and using other tobacco products leaves a distinct, foul odour. In addition, consuming tobacco products increases your risk of oral and other cancers.
Poor oral hygiene and gum disease: When you skip brushing your teeth, flossing and cleaning your tongue, you allow food particles to remain in your mouth. The bacterial breakdown of these remnants of food can cause odour. In addition, growth of bacteria increases your risk of gum disease. If you use any dental appliances, such as retainers or dentures, clean them regularly. Don't forget to change your toothbrush every 3 months or as recommended by your dentist.
Dry mouth: Saliva helps clean your mouth by clearing away food particles. If there is not enough saliva production, food particles that may cause bad odour are left in your mouth. The side effects of some medications, including dry mouth, may indirectly cause bad breath.
Medical conditions: Respiratory infections and inflammation of the sinuses, lungs or throat can lead to bad breath, especially when there is draining of mucus within the mouth and nose area. Other medical conditions that may cause bad breath include diabetes, some liver diseases, and kidney disease.
How You Can Fight Bad Breath
Perhaps the most important home care remedy is to brush, floss, and clean your tongue regularly. Brushing your teeth twice per day, cleaning your tongue and flossing at least once per day remove food particles from your mouth. Cleaning your tongue after brushing reduces the bacteria that resides on the back of your tongue.
Your dentist can prescribe or recommend special toothpaste and mouthwash to prevent the production of bad odours. Over-the-counter mouthwash is only a temporary solution because it does not treat the underlying cause of bad breath. Seeing your dentist and dental hygienist regularly for cleaning and check-ups is essential to good oral health. In addition, regular visits can help you determine the underlying cause of bad breath.
When to See a Medical Professional
If your dentist has eliminated dental issues as a potential cause of bad breath and determined that your mouth is healthy, you should see a medical professional. Only a medical professional can determine whether you have a medical condition.
Although bad breath can be an embarrassing issue, it does not have to be a social liability. Talk to your dentist if you have any concerns about bad breath. Following the above recommendations can help you feel more confident about your breath, even if bad breath is not a problem for you.
