A professional teeth cleaning is a necessary part of general dentistry care, but there are other important components, such as X-rays and examinations. X-rays are essential for a number of reasons, although they are not required nearly as often as routine teeth cleanings. Keep reading to find out more about the importance of X-rays.
X-rays during a teeth cleaning
Below is an explanation of X-rays and why they may be included during a general dentistry teeth cleaning appointment.
The purpose
Most teeth cleaning appointments also include an examination, fluoride application and sometimes, X-rays. Dental X-rays may be needed because they allow the general dentist to see the teeth, the roots and the rest of the oral cavity from a different perspective. This is necessary to ensure that oral health is in good shape, which includes the gums, jawbone and teeth.
Additionally, dental X-rays help identify problems that are deeper than the eye can see when just looking inside the mouth. If these problems are caught early o,n then it is more likely that the outcome will be positive. Outlined below are a few things that X-rays can detect during a teeth cleaning appointment.
Tooth decay or cavities
Bone loss in the jaw
Changes or shifting in the jawbone
Abscesses
Oral cancer
Cysts
X-rays are seen as controversial by some due to the waves of energy that are released; however, when taken rarely and quickly, individuals can rest assured that they are safe. Without dental X-rays, many oral conditions can get missed, which can result in damage to the oral cavity and even the entire body.
How often are X-rays taken?
X-rays are typically taken once a year or every 12 months. General dentists recommend them on a routine basis, which is why they often get combined with a teeth cleaning appointment. However, if there is a concern of an oral condition, then additional X-rays may be required more than every 12 months.
Other things to note
X-rays are a simple part of a teeth cleaning appointment. Individuals requiring X-rays need not feel anxious, as the process takes less than 10 minutes and does not involve any pain. A protective jacket is given to protect against the energy waves put off by the machine. The general dentistry assistant will press a few buttons, and then the process will be complete!
Find out more about general dentistry teeth cleanings
When looking for more information on teeth cleanings and what they entail, it can be helpful to consult directly with a general dentist. Any questions or concerns can be addressed, and an evaluation can be done in order to determine whether X-rays are needed. Reach out today to learn more or to get started with an appointment.
Orthodontics can be used to treat a variety of teeth alignment issues, like a crossbite or crooked teeth. The alignment of a person’s teeth plays an important role when it comes to their oral and overall health. A person has a bad bite when some or all of their teeth do not come together as they should when the mouth is closed.
This often leads to a range of problems, from not being able to properly chew food to ruining the way that the person’s smile looks. Fortunately, orthodontics provides dentists with various options when it comes to correcting problems with their patients’ teeth alignment.
Common teeth alignment issues that orthodontics can fix
Dealing with poorly aligned teeth? Here are common teeth alignment issues that orthodontic devices like braces can correct.
1. Crossbite
A person is said to have a crossbite when their upper set of teeth sits on the inside of the lower set when their mouth is closed. The issue might only affect a tooth or an entire set of teeth. When left untreated, a crossbite can lead to other problems, such as uneven jaw development, worn-down teeth enamel, and unbalanced jaw movement.
A patient has a subsequent crossbite when their upper teeth at the back sit inside the bottom teeth. A frontal crossbite occurs when the top teeth sit behind the bottom teeth.
The severity of a patient’s condition often determines how a dentist approaches treating their crossbite. Clear aligners can be used if the patient’s issue is not caused by their jaw being in the wrong position, while braces can be used in all cases.
2. Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower set of teeth protrude past the upper set. It creates a “bulldog” type of look, with the patient appearing to frown whenever their face is in a neutral position. The condition puts stress on a person’s teeth and often leads to teeth wearing down or becoming damaged. The condition also weakens the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), increasing the risk of TMJ-related issues developing.
Braces are required to treat severe underbites because there might be a need to move the position of the patient’s jaw. Minor cases can be treated with clear aligners.
3. Open bite
A frontal open bite occurs when the upper and lower jaws do not extend as far out as they should. The condition can be the result of mouth breathing, tongue pushing, or extreme thumb sucking. A posterior open bite occurs when only the back teeth fail to extend as they should.
An open bite often leads to tongue thrusts, speech issues, and difficulty swallowing. Minor cases can be treated with clear aligners, while severe cases require braces and other appliances that can move the patient’s jaw.
Maintaining your oral health can prevent a multitude of common oral health issues, including tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.
Like other areas of your body, your mouth teems with bacteria, some of which can be harmless to your health. With your mouth being the entry point to a range of different bacteria, you have an important part to play in maintaining your oral health.
Having a healthy diet can be seen in no better place than in your teeth, so you may want to take a read of our dietary guide to maintain your oral health. From eating nutritious foods to brushing and flossing every day and visiting your dentist regularly, there are many ways you can maintain your oral health.
With that being said, you should also be aware of the signs that your oral health may need improving, which we have explained in this guide.
1.- Bleeding Gums
Gums that bleed after brushing or flossing could be a sign of gum disease, which can put your gums at risk of inflammation due to the bacteria living in the plaque. Gum disease is more severe for those with underlying conditions, such as diabetes
Also known as gingivitis, gum disease is typically the result of plaque build-up on the teeth due to poor oral habits, such as not brushing your teeth properly or flossing. This may cause your gums to swell and bleed very easily. When untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.
Bleeding gums is a way of your body telling you that something isn’t right. With links between gum disease and general health conditions relating to the heart and kidneys, having gum disease treated when you first notice the signs is critical.
2.- Bad Breath
Also known as halitosis, bad breath is a common oral health problem that doesn’t go away even after brushing your teeth. It can be a concern when you have bad breath that sticks around as it may indicate signs of decay, cavities or gum disease.
If you do have bad breath, you should review your oral hygiene habits and try to make lifestyle changes. You will also need to ensure that you’re brushing your teeth properly for two minutes, using dental floss and drinking plenty of water.
3.- Pain or Toothache
Pain in the jaw or the mouth can often be caused by simple oral health conditions, such as toothache, gum disease or even sinus problems. However, pain in the jaw or mouth isn’t always related to oral health, it may sometimes be related to stress, so it’s important to visit your dentist to get any pain examined.
Feeling pain in one or more teeth requires attention and can vary in different degrees of pain, such as mild discomfort to extreme nerve pain. All degrees of pain will need to be treated professionally and addressed immediately.
4.- Teeth Sensitivity
If you’re experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures of foods or drinks which you may not have experienced before, it may be a sign of general wear and ageing. However, sudden sensitivity can be a sign of a cavity, infection, receding gums, decay or damage to the tooth or gums. Tooth sensitivity can significantly worsen the longer you leave it, so you should visit your dentist if you’re experiencing this suddenly.
You can use specific brands of toothpaste and mouthwash to treat tooth sensitivity, but you should still visit your dentist to find out if your tooth sensitivity is caused by a more serious underlying problem.
5.- Loose Teeth
Adult teeth shouldn’t move or fall out unexpectedly. If you do have this problem, you may be experiencing the signs of advanced gum disease or osteoporosis, so you must visit a dentist immediately.
6.- Mouth Ulcers
Sores and ulcers are a common result of accidentally biting the inside of your mouth or eating food that is too hot. However, ulcers and sores that appear out of nowhere are a cause for concern and should be regularly monitored as they can be signs of other illnesses, such as diabetes or oral cancer. Otherwise, they are a common sign of bacterial and fungal infections or more serious medical conditions such as vitamin B12 or iron deficiency, Coeliac disease or Crohn’s disease.
Treat your ulcers with Bonjela if they cause you pain or discomfort, and be sure to visit your dentist if your ulcer doesn’t heal after several days.
7.- Chipped Teeth
Your teeth can chip or break for a number of reasons. Whilst this is most likely to be caused by a harsh impact on the mouth or biting down on hard foods. Broken teeth can sometimes be caused by tooth decay, so you will need to get this looked at by a professional dentist immediately.
8.- Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is often caused by dehydration, however, a dry mouth can be caused by other health conditions such as diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome. Keep hydrated throughout the day and drink plenty of water to wash foods down and reduce the acids in your mouth. It’s recommended to drink a minimum of two litres of water per day and visit your dentist for a check-up if you still experience a dry mouth.
Maintain Your Oral Health
Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to practice good oral hygiene and should be seen as part of your daily routine. Regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste keeps your mouth clean and removes plaque and trapped foods that have built up throughout the day.
Sometimes patients develop toothaches or gum discomfort, but mouth pain comes in many other forms, too. Did you know your own body's immune system can attack the lining of your mouth and create stinging sores? Chances are you or a loved one suffers from these frustrating ulcers. Research shows that one simple, inexpensive supplement may dramatically reduce attacks.
You feel it coming on: A spot in your mouth starts to burn or tingle, and you know what's about to happen. By tomorrow you'll have a nagging sore cratered into the lining of your cheek. Aphthous ulcers afflict 20% of the population, recurring intermittently and often without a distinct pattern. After a week or two, the pain disappears and your mouth feels whole again.
Aphthous ulcers are sometimes confused with cold sores, but they're only related by their discomfort and proximity to each other. Cold sores occur on the lips and surrounding skin as a result of the Herpes Simplex Virus. Aphthous ulcers don't have such a clear cause. These lesions show up on movable tissue surfaces inside the mouth and may be difficult to pin to a single instigator. We understand that the body's immune system sends inflammatory cells into an area and destroys its own tissue, but what triggers the assault?
Where Do They Come From?
Mouth sores may show up one at a time or in groups spread across multiple areas. Many patients feel frustrated by their inability to control these painful ulcers, but understanding possible causes may help you take steps to eliminate or reduce outbreaks. Here are a few triggers to consider:
•Stress. If we started a list of all the maladies stress creates in our bodies, we'd need to buy a ream of paper to finish it. Aphthous ulcers often erupt when we're experiencing a high level of stress.
•Hormone Changes. Some women experience outbreaks before their period, while others are ulcer-free until after menopause.
•Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies. Low levels of iron, vitamin B12, calcium, selenium, or folic acid are just a few nutrients linked to aphthous ulcers.
•Genetics. A lot of health conditions run in the genes, and mouth ulcers seem to be one to add to the list.
•Toothpaste. Most toothpastes contain a foaming agent called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This ingredient is linked to mouth ulcers in some patients. Sensitivity to mint flavoring may also lead to a similar problem.
•Systemic Diseases. Crohn's Disease, Coeliac Disease, Reactive Arthritis, and Behcet's Disease are a few conditions that might also include mouth sores.
•Medications. Some people find that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, lead to mouth sores. Beta-blockers, used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions, along with chemotherapy agents, are also culprits.
•Foods. When a sore shows up, consider certain foods in your diet in the previous 24 hours. Chocolate, coffee, spicy foods, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, and wheat flour are known initiators.
Most episodes of aphthous ulcers clear up and move on within a couple of weeks. If you have a sore that doesn't resolve within a month, it's time to see our team. In these cases, a closer analysis of the area should be done.
While identifying a cause may lead to a lifestyle adjustment that eliminates sores, many patients end up enduring the discomfort until they heal. Here are a few tips to minimize the disruption:
•Be Gentle. Stay away from spicy or acidic foods during an outbreak. Use a soft toothbrush and consider an SLS-free toothpaste for awhile.
•Numb It. Grab a tube of a numbing or coating agent like Oragel, Kanka, or zilactin-B. Carry it in your pocket and apply as needed to cut the pain.
•Rinse. You might try mixing ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup water, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp salt to create a rinse that disinfects and neutralizes sore spots. This mix is particularly useful if you're suffering from multiple ulcers. Rincinol PRN is a commercial rinse available at many retailers that draws strong reviews from users.
•Try Tea. Some patients get relief by applying a damp tea bag to a mouth sore for a few minutes at a time. You may also find that sipping licorice tea helps.
If you grind your teeth and have noticed small red sores on the inside of your mouth, you might be asking yourself if bruxism is the culprit. Mouth ulcers are also commonly referred to as canker sores or aphthous ulcers and there are many reasons why they might develop on the soft tissue of your cheeks, tongue, or gums. They’re a fairly common affliction; Around 20% of people will develop at least one in their lifetime. So, can bruxism cause mouth ulcers? We’ll answer this question, identify other possible causes of mouth ulcers, and explore treatment options.
Does Bruxism / TMJ Cause Mouth Ulcers?
Emotional stress is one of the most common underlying causes of mouth ulcers, bruxism, and jaw joint conditions like TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. For this reason, there is a strong connection between teeth grinding and mouth ulcers. According to a recent Italian study, people with bruxism tend to get recurrent mouth ulcers on the insides of their cheeks, in addition to other painful side effects such as facial pain, headaches, tooth decay/worn tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity/toothaches, periodontal disease (gum disease), and sore jaw muscles. If you do not suffer from bruxism or TMD, there are other potential causes of mouth ulcers as well.
What Are the Other Causes of Mouth Ulcers?
Identifying the reason you’re getting mouth sores is the best way to select the right treatment options. According to the Mayo Clinic, in addition to emotional stress, you might develop mouth ulcers as a result of:
Minor mouth injuries from dental work, brushing too hard, or accidentally biting your cheek
Helicobacter pylori (a type of bacteria that causes stomach ulcers)
Sensitivity to cheese, spicy or acidic foods, nuts, strawberries, coffee, or chocolate
Use of toothpastes and oral hygiene products with sodium lauryl sulfate
Hormonal shifts
Low levels of vitamin B12, iron, zinc, or folic acid
How Are Mouth Ulcers Treated?
Usually, you can treat mouth ulcers at home using one or more of the following treatments:
Salt Water/Baking Soda Rinses: Rinsing your mouth with salt water or baking soda may reduce pain and soreness. To make a rinse at home, stir one teaspoon of baking soda or table salt into half a cup of warm water until it’s dissolved. Then, gargle with the rinse for at least 30 seconds. Rinses can be used several times a day.
Ice: Placing ice on your mouth ulcers will help with swelling. Place small pieces of ice directly on your ulcers, and hold until the ice melts.
Topical Anesthetics: Dabbing topical anesthetics on your ulcers can make eating less painful. You can use a topical anesthetic that you purchase over the counter. Most over-the-counter topical anesthetics contain benzocaine, fluocinonide, or hydrogen peroxide. Always apply the anesthetic exactly as directed on the label.
Natural Remedies: Some people have found success applying honey or milk of magnesia to their ulcers. You can use a cotton swab to apply these remedies. Rinsing your mouth with lukewarm chamomile tea or licorice root mouthwash could be beneficial, and you may want to apply a cold compress.
If home treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend trying:
Prescription Medicines: Sucralfate (a medicine for treating intestinal ulcers) and colchicine (a gout medication) are some of the first-line medicines for severe mouth ulcers. If these don’t work, corticosteroids may be needed.
Cautery: This treatment method is used to destroy ulcers, normally by burning or freezing them. Silver nitrate, debacterol, and other chemicals may be used for cautery. If chemical cautery isn’t an option, your doctor can use lasers or surgical instruments to remove your mouth ulcers.
When you’re trying to find the most effective treatment for your mouth ulcers, it’s vital that you treat any underlying dental health or medical conditions. For example, if you have autoimmune conditions or infections that are contributing to the severity of your mouth ulcers, treating these conditions may help your mouth ulcers heal more quickly and completely. If bruxism is causing you to develop mouth sores, your dentist or doctor might recommend wearing night guards to reduce damage to your teeth and the insides of your cheeks. Good oral hygiene is also imperative to prevent mouth sores.
If your mouth tastes like iron, you could be having an underlying oral condition. Having such taste in your mouth is a common occurrence linked to several oral conditions. Apart from that, it could also indicate a serious medical problem such as cancer or undiagnosed diabetes. However, these reasons are not so common, leaving your dental structure as the main culprit. Therefore, understanding some of the causes of iron taste in your mouth will help you protect yourself and your loved ones in the future.
Gum Disease
Having an iron taste in your mouth could be a sign of gum disease. This is more likely to be the case if bleeding gums accompany it. Gum disease stimulates the production of volatile sulfur compounds that produce bad breath and leave your mouth tasting different. If you have advanced gum disease, the iron taste is likely to get worse. This is why it is important to come in for treatment as soon as possible. Our professionals will examine you and fix the taste in your mouth.
Poor Oral Hygiene
If you don’t take good care of your mouth, you can develop a taste of iron in your mouth. Poor oral health results in serious oral conditions like tooth infections, gingivitis, and periodontitis. As much as these infections can be treated, they will cause a bad breath and an iron taste. This is why it is important to practice good oral hygiene. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss on a regular basis. You should also come in for regular oral exams.
Prescription Drugs
There are some prescription drugs that leave a taste of iron in your mouth. Medications like tetracycline, lithium, and allopurinol, which are used to treat psychiatric conditions, can leave an iron taste in your mouth. Visit our offices for more information on why you can taste iron in your mouth.
Why you can stop spiraling: Almost everyone gets them. Your tonsils have tons of tiny crevices where bacteria and dead cells can get trapped and harden and occasionally stick together in chunks of foul-smelling white stuff that you suddenly feel under the back of your tongue, says Brunilda Nazario, M.D., an associate medical director at WebMD. If you've had bouts of tonsillitis, you're especially stones-prone.
(01/30/2024) by Periodontal and Implant Surgeons of Houston
A sore on your tongue is a nuisance. Causes can include the foods you eat, certain medications, broken teeth and some diseases. You can look for certain signs to determine when a sore requires a visit to a dental or medical professional.
Canker Sore
Canker sores are also known as mouth ulcers, and they appear on the gums, roof of the mouth, cheeks and tongue. According to MedlinePlus, if you bite your tongue, you may develop a canker sore. Genetics, stress, broken teeth, spicy and acidic foods and a burnt tongue may lead to canker sores. Make sure you're getting enough B-12, folate, zinc and iron because canker sores may develop when you lack these nutrients. This type of sore on your tongue typically goes away on its own within 2 weeks.
Children typically develop canker sores for the same reasons as adults, but parents also play a part, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you get this type of sore regularly, your child is likely to get it. Canker sores occur more often in women. Limit the acidic or rough-textured foods that your child eats. If the problem is recurring, consult your child's pediatrician about medications he takes or foods he eats that may lead to frequent canker sores.
Cold Sore
A sore on your tongue may be a cold sore. According to MedlinePlus, this type of sore is caused by a contagious virus. Once caught, the virus lives inside your body for years, and certain triggers activate the virus, causing a cold sore to develop. Triggers for the disease include illness, hormonal changes, stress and sunburn. Cold sores usually go away on their own within 2 weeks. Over-the-counter treatments are available to help the cold sore disappear more quickly.
You or your child can contract a cold sore from touching something that the virus has contaminated, such as a towel, toothbrush and eating utensils. It's possible for a child to contract a cold sore on the tongue if his tongue comes in contact with a sore on his face. Also ensure that he washes his hands frequently; touching the sore may cause it to spread to other areas. Eating ice pops, rinsing with salt water and taking pain relievers can help your child feel better until the sore goes away.
Oral Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is an inflammatory skin condition, and those with the condition will most likely experience symptoms on the legs and arms. However, oral lichen planus has the potential to affect your mouth as well, according to MedlinePlus. In fact, you may develop a sore on your tongue or on the cheek area, and the sore may feel tender and itch. It looks like white patches on your tongue or cheeks. The cause of lichen planus is unknown, but an allergic reaction or infection may be a factor. Visit a doctor for medication and for a prescription for light therapy to treat this disease.
Consult with a Health Care Professional
Consult with a health care provider if the sore lasts longer than 2 weeks or if you experience a skin rash, fever, difficulty swallowing or drooling in addition to the sore. If you find a lesion, lump or ulcer on your tongue, if the development of the sore coincides with the start of a new medication or if the sore is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a strange taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing or deep cracks within the tissue of the sore, seek treatment from a medical professional. According to MedlinePlus, a persistent sore could indicate of a more serious condition.
If they were all the same, eating would be very difficult! Your teeth are specialised for different tasks, so they have different shapes.
The four teeth right at the front of your mouth on your top and bottom jaws are called incisors. They are chisel-shaped and used for biting into foods like an apple or a banana.
On either side of them are the canines at each end of your incisors. These pointy teeth are your sharpest teeth. They are used for ripping food apart – such as meat off a bone.
The next ones are four pairs of premolars, one on each side of your jaws. They are bigger than your incisors and canines and have ridged flat areas for crushing and grinding your food into smaller pieces.
Your children will not have premolars until sometime after they are ten years old. Their adult premolars grow after they lose their baby molars and their adult molars eventually come in behind the premolars.
If you are concerned about when or how your child’s teeth are erupting, please contact us at your Epping Dentist so we can check out the situation.
Finally, most adults have twelve molars at the back of each jaw. Some adults only have eight as there may not have been enough room for the last four, the wisdom teeth to erupt – or perhaps, they were removed.
The molars’ flattish surfaces grind your food to make it small and mushy enough for you to swallow safely. As you chew, your tongue sweeps the food to the back of your mouth so your molars can do that.
And please! We at your Epping Dentist implore you to be diligent with your tooth cleaning (with fluoride toothpaste) and flossing, so your teeth remain strong throughout your life. After all, your own incisors, canines, premolars, and molars are the best for biting and chewing the food you eat to start your digestive processes. Not to mention talking and smiling!
Have you ever woken from a sound sleep with a dry mouth at night? Dry mouth syndrome, or a dry mouth (xerostomia) can be caused by something as simple as sleeping with your mouth open or as complex as a medication side effect. Read on to find out what may be the cause of your night-time dryness.
Signs of a dry mouth
A dry mouth is caused by the salivary glands not producing enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva is essential as it is key to washing debris from your teeth and remineralising tooth enamel, among other things. With too little of it, you may be at increased risk of tooth decay.
Aside from increasing your risk for cavities, a dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable. If you are experiencing a dry mouth throughout the night, you may notice some signs in the morning, such as:
a sticky feeling in your mouth
thick or stringy saliva
bad breath
a dry or sore throat
cracked or chapped lips
mouth sores
a change in the sense of taste
What causes xerostomia?
The occasional case of a dry mouth may merely be due to dehydration. However, age, medical conditions and habits can also contribute to its symptoms. Healthdirect reports that several medications can cause dry mouth, including over-the-counter medications. It's also associated with diabetes and the autoimmune disorder Sjogren's syndrome.
According to Cancer Council NSW, cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can change or damage the salivary glands, as can nerve damage to the head and neck area.
Regular tobacco and alcohol use can lead to xerostomia. Besides putting you at risk for oral cancer, smoking causes changes in saliva production. Alcoholic drinks and tobacco also irritate an already dry mouth and contribute to bad breath.
Ways to manage a dry mouth at night
Suppose your dry mouth is caused by dehydration. In that case, treatment could be as simple as ensuring you drink plenty of water throughout the day and before going to bed. However, xerostomia caused by medication and other health conditions might need more help to stimulate saliva production or provide lubrication, such as:
sipping water frequently
chewing sugar-free gum
using a bedroom humidifier
sucking on sugar-free lozenges
As always, make sure you regularly visit your dental health professional – at the frequency they recommend – for optimal oral health care. If you are experiencing a dry mouth, regular cleanings and fluoride treatments can help prevent dental decay and gum disease. Your dentist may also recommend a hydrating rinse to help keep your mouth more comfortable. Hopefully, regardless of the cause of your dry mouth, you and your dental team can work together to find a solution that's right for you.
Your palate may love fine food and drinks. Or your palette may be the foundation for a beautiful piece of art. Those are possibilities. A reality, though, is that your hard palate, a different kind of palate, plays a significant role in your oral health. The hard palate is the roof of your mouth and it's not only impressive but important too.
Palate Anatomy
Your hard palate is that bony part found at the top of your mouth near the front of your oral cavity. With a hard palate comes a soft palate located in the back of your oral cavity with a much more fleshy-like surface. Your hard palate plays a significant role as it separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity while also aiding swallowing and speaking. Translation — it's a big deal.
Feeding and Speech Complications
If you've ever seen a baby with a cleft palate, it can break your heart. It's a disorder that consists of an opening within the hard palate that doesn't entirely fuse as it should and could extend to their nose or lips. It's one of the most common congenital disabilities in babies and can be extremely unsettling for parents.
A cleft palate could cause:
Difficulty with breastfeeding
Hearing problems
Dental issues
Speech difficulties
Social, emotional, behavioral issues
Some factors might put your baby at a higher risk of developing a cleft palate, notes the Mayo Clinic, including genetic family history, as well as smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy, and other health issues. The good news — surgery and therapy can help remedy the look and complications a cleft palate may cause.
Oral Cancer and the Hard Palate
While a cleft palate is usually something addressed early on in childhood, cancer could strike at any time. There's a natural opening in the hard palate for nerves and blood vessels that's an ideal route for a tumor to make its way into the oral cavity. Possible causes for palate cancer include drinking, smoking, and reverse smoking (inserting the lit end of a cigarette into your mouth instead). Symptoms may include:
Mouth ulcer or mass growth
Foul odor
Loss of teeth
Speech issues
Difficulty swallowing
Jaw function
Lumps in the neck
Treatment possibilities consist of radiation, chemotherapy, chemoradiation (a combination of both), and surgery, the preferred route for the hard palate, says Cedars-Sinai. It's possible some bone could be removed along with the tumor. If a portion of the palate needs to be removed, there are denture-like prostheses that resemble teeth and the roof of your mouth.
Oral Effects of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Your hard palate can also be affected in other ways, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Two specific ones could impact the health of your hard palate:
Syphilis
This disease can leave lesions on both palates, lip, and tongue
HPV
Papillary or ulcerative white patches or warts have been known to form on the hard and soft palate if infected with this STD
If you experience anything like this, consult your doctor immediately for an STI screening and possible treatment options.
Like most parts of your body, seeing your dental professional and/or physician is essential. It allows them to properly examine your hard palate during regular checkups or if something irregular occurs. So make it easy on yourself and keep that hard palate of yours healthy.
