Oral Prophylaxis Tips

Have you ever wondered why in most cases, when you visit your doctor, he/she asks you to stick out your tongue? While it is true that the doctor has a better view of the throat when your tongue is stuck out there is also another fundamental reason for it. The doctor would also like to know the soundness of your tongue. You might have heard this old saying that a lot can be said about you by looking at your tongue. This holds certainly true in modern times and if your tongue looks unhealthy, it i...more

What is Sialendoscopy?

Sialendoscopy or salivary gland endoscopy is a procedure, which examines the salivary gland ducts minimally. This procedure makes use of a mini telescope referred to as micro-endoscope, which is inserted within the opening of the ducts attached to the salivary glands. This allows for careful exploration of the salivary gland ducts and insertion of tiny instruments via the micro-endoscope to eliminate existing particles of debris or salivary stones.

When...more

Oral cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells called tumors that invade and damage the tissues surrounding it in or around the mouth. Oral cancer, like all other types of cancer, is life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. There are eight types of oral cancer namely cancer in the throat, sinuses, hard and soft palate, floor of the mouth, gums, cheeks, tongue and lips. Dentists are usually the first ones to notice and detect the signs and symptoms of oral cancer. Thi...more

One of the landmarks of a child's development during the first year is the eruption of the little white pearls. The first tooth breaks into the mouth, somewhere between six months to one year of life. The entire set is in place in a baby's mouth by about 20 months of life. Though called deciduous teeth as they fall off after a certain period of time, the last of the milk teeth remains in the mouth up to 12 to 14 years of age.

Listed below are some points outlining the significance of mi...more

Dental health can be a contributing factor for sinus infections with direct association between toothache and sinus infection.
Oral health is one of the contributing factors of sinus infection though it is not usual. It is a given fact that sinus cavities are closely located to the teeth and mouth. Small oral cavities or infections can add to the sinus infection. Dental checkup must be performed when diagnosing sinus infections.

Sinuses have several pairs of left and right sinuses i...more

Fluoride is a chemical naturally present in water and in some foods and is essential for healthy bone growth. A few decades ago, fluoride was discovered to have anti-cariogenic (against tooth decay) properties and slowly gained popularity. While most believe that fluoride can do wonders for your teeth and help you get rid of all problems, it is not true. There is only so much that fluoride can do and there are also undesirable effects from it.

Read on to know some myths about fluoride...more

Mouth breathing in children is very common and while a kid with an open mouth might seem cute, it is not always the case. The parents need to be made aware that a child breathing through the mouth all the time is not normal and it is high time they find a way to manage it.

A little understanding of the effects of the mouth-breathing habit on the child's health in general and oral health, in particular, can be an eye-opener for the parent. For an educated person, there are obvious sympto...more

Sudden tooth pain is usually a sign of cavities or dental caries. This is the most common form of oral disease that affects people across the world. A cavity can affect a person at any age. Caries can be categorized under two headings: pit and fissure caries and surface caries. The former usually affect the horizontal planes of the molars and the backplanes of the teeth in front. Surface caries is usually found at the joints between two teeth and the gum line.

Dental caries is formed ov...more

Oral cancer is commonly known as mouth cancer. It is a type of cancer that develops in any part of the mouth or oral cavity.

It may occur on the:

Gums

Tongue

Lips

The roof of the mouth

The inner lining of the cheeks

The floor of the mouth

Under the tongue

Oral cancer is painful and often fatal. It can happen due to various reasons. Cancerous tissues might grow right in the mouth or metastasize from a nearby location...more

Dry mouth is a symptom that leads to a lack of saliva. Individuals with dry mouth do not have enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.

Remedies - there are many ways to keep the mouth lubricated and prevent the symptoms of dry mouth:

suck on sugar-free candy or chew sugar-free gum, specifically ones with xylitol. Try to avoid acidic ones like lemon that can soften teeth.
drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist.
brush with a fluoride toothpaste, use a fluoride ri...more