No one wants to experience the awful fear of bad breath, or halitosis, especially in social situations. Although a few medical conditions may cause bad breath, the most common causes are related to the condition of your teeth and/or your dental hygiene. Broken teeth or badly decayed teeth may collect debris and in time, bacteria forms and causes a bad taste and smell.

The first step to improving bad breath is to restore your teeth and then to prevent bad breath keep your teeth, gums and tongue extremely clean. A buildup of plaque may lead to gingivitis and gum disease, a common cause of bad breath. It also is important to brush your tongue to remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to bad breath. Other causes of bad breath include certain foods, tobacco use and dry mouth.

Most people accidentally bite their tongues or lips while chewing. At the time it may be very painful and may cause bleeding. When your lip or tongue is bitten, you must be careful when you are eating for the next day or so. Your lip or tongue will tend to swell slightly making it easier to bite it again. For this minor injury the best treatment is to rinse your mouth with warm salt water or to apply ice to the bitten area.

Occasionally, a more serious incident of tongue or lip biting may follow dental treatment. A patient may be numb and keeps “testing” the anesthesia by biting his or her lip or tongue. This is particularly a problem in children and patients who are mentally challenged. In this circumstance, the patient can cause significant damage and should be examined by the dentist who provided the treatment.

Some serious medical conditions may cause bleeding gums, but the most frequent cause of bleeding gums is poor oral hygiene, which leads to gingivitis. Gingivitis means that the gums are inflamed, red and bleed easily when touched as a result of plaque building up on the teeth. Proper cleaning of the teeth prevents gingivitis and the subsequent symptom of bleeding gums. Your dentist or prosthodontist can teach you how to properly clean your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to clean between your teeth. Bleeding gums are a sign of poor oral care and can easily be resolved by improving your dental hygiene habits.

A broken tooth may occur when you chew on hard foods, may be caused by an accident or may be caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism. You may not even realize that you have a broken tooth. A broken tooth may not be visible to the eye or show up on an x-ray. A broken tooth may cause pain or sensitivity if biting causes pressure on the broken tooth. Treatment may vary depending on the size and location of the broken tooth.

Bruxism is teeth grinding, which usually happens at night while you sleep. Most people with bruxism are not aware that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep – unless a partner is awakened by the noise. This habit of bruxism is extremely destructive and in time may wear away your teeth and/or strain your temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ, and the muscles used in chewing.

Studies have shown that bruxism tends to be related to stress, and people generate much greater forces when grinding their teeth than they do during normal jaw function. The movements of the jaw during bruxism are more exaggerated than the more limited movement of someone’s normal jaw function. Although no cure for bruxism is available, your prosthodontist can produce a device that will protect the teeth, support your TMJ and provide relief from muscle fatigue.

Caries or dental caries, also known as dental decay, cavities or tooth decay, is associated with a chronic build up of plaque on or between your teeth. Bacteria are found within the plaque and produce acid especially in the presence of carbohydrate-rich foods. Caries develop when the acid damages and ultimately destroys the enamel allowing the bacteria to penetrate the tooth often resulting in a hole in your tooth.

Proper dental hygiene including cleaning your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to reach between your teeth may help prevent caries from developing.

Cavities or dental cavities, also known as dental decay or caries, are associated with a chronic build up of plaque on or between your teeth. Bacteria are found within the plaque and produce acid especially in the presence of carbohydrate-rich foods. Cavities develop when the acid damages and ultimately destroys the enamel allowing the bacteria to penetrate the tooth often resulting in a hole in your tooth.

Proper dental hygiene including cleaning your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to reach between your teeth may help prevent cavities from developing.

A chipped tooth may occur when you chew on hard foods, may be caused by an accident or may be caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism. You may not even realize that you have a chipped tooth. A chipped tooth may not be visible to the eye or show up on an x-ray. A chipped tooth may cause pain or sensitivity if biting causes pressure on the chipped tooth. Treatment may vary depending on the size and location of the chipped tooth.

A cleft palate is a birth defect affecting the roof of the mouth, where a portion (or all) of the roof does not completely develop and close during the first three months of pregnancy. A cleft palate may involve the lip, called a cleft lip, may be one side of the palate (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral), and may be part of a syndrome. The causes of a cleft palate, which is a genetic defect, may caused by drug or alcohol use, environmental factors, maternal age or family history. Babies with cleft palates have problems with speech, feeding, development of teeth, ear infections and hearing.

The cleft palate is typically surgically repaired between the ages of 12-18 months. Cleft palates may occur in 1 of every 2,500 births, and may be seen in an ultrasound before birth. After birth, a physical examination of the baby’s mouth will show the extent of the cleft palate.

Congenital defects are disorders that occur while a baby is developing in the mother’s body, often during the first three months of pregnancy. Often called birth defects, most congenital defects are due to inherited or spontaneous genetic mutations. However, some congenital defects are caused by environmental factors such as drug or alcohol use, infections, nutritional deficiencies or medical conditions.

Congenital defects can involve any part of the body, and can be mild (i.e. cleft lip or cleft palate) or serious, leading to death. One in every 33 babies is born with a defect and congenital defects may cause 1 in 5 infant deaths. Some congenital defects can be detected before the baby is born and treated. Other conditions can be treated with surgery or medication after birth.

A cracked tooth may occur when you chew on hard foods, may be caused by an accident or may be caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism. You may not even realize that you have a cracked tooth. A cracked tooth may not be visible to the eye or show up on an x-ray. A cracked tooth may cause pain or sensitivity if biting causes pressure on the cracked tooth. Treatment may vary depending on the size and location of the cracked tooth.

Many people experience dental anxiety during their dental treatment. This dental anxiety may stem from past experiences or just a perception that the dental procedures will be painful. Many methods are available to help reduce or remove dental anxiety. Some people can relieve their dental anxiety simply by discussing their fears with their dentist and learning more about the planned procedure.

Using nitrous oxide, also known as anesthesia or laughing gas, during a dental procedure will reduce dental anxiety for a number of people, but very anxious patients may require a prescription medication to reduce their dental anxiety. Any prescription anti-anxiety treatment, including IV sedation, will require the individual to be in good general health and to have a driver to take him or her home after the dental procedure.

Dental cavities, also known as dental decay, tooth decay or caries, are associated with a chronic build up of plaque on or between your teeth. Bacteria are found within the plaque and produce acid especially in the presence of carbohydrate-rich foods. Dental cavities develop when the acid damages and ultimately destroys the enamel allowing the bacteria to penetrate the tooth often resulting in a hole in your tooth.

Proper dental hygiene including cleaning your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to reach between your teeth may help prevent dental cavities from developing.

Dental decay, also known as dental cavities or caries or tooth decay, is associated with a chronic build up of plaque on or between your teeth. Bacteria are found within the plaque and produce acid especially in the presence of carbohydrate-rich foods. Dental decay develops when the acid damages and ultimately destroys the enamel allowing the bacteria to penetrate the tooth often resulting in a hole in your tooth.

Proper dental hygiene including cleaning your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to reach between your teeth may help prevent dental decay from developing.

Dental emergencies are often uncomfortable or inconvenient, but rarely life-threatening. Dental emergencies range from a toothache or broken tooth to a dislodged crown or cap to a broken denture or even a loose dental implant. Any of these problems should be reported to your dentist or prosthodontist for a resolution. Those dental emergencies that involve pain and/or swelling should be reported to your dentist or prosthodontist immediately or you should visit an emergency facility if the dentist is unavailable.

Dental hygiene refers to the cleanliness of your mouth and the methods used to maintain proper oral health. To prevent dental decay and gum disease you must maintain the highest level of dental hygiene by using the most effective ways to remove plaque and keep the teeth and gums healthy. Dental hygiene methods include the use of a manual or electric toothbrush and tools such as dental floss to clean between your teeth.

Chronic dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is caused by lack of saliva for a long period of time. Multiple causes for dry mouth include medications, chronic diseases and certain medical treatments. Chronic dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, but it increases your risk for dental decay and makes it difficult for dentures to fit properly. To help relieve symptoms of dry mouth you may want to drink fluids that do not contain sugar, and water is the best. You also may want to use sugar-free, hard candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow. If you suffer from dry mouth, you should visit your dentist or prosthodontist more frequently than every six months to address your increased risk of tooth decay.

Dry socket, also known as alveolar osteitis, is a condition that sometimes occurs after a tooth is extracted. When the socket is slow to heal, a dry socket may develop and can be very painful for three to five days or even longer.

Treatment for dry socket may include cleaning the site and placing a medicated dressing in the socket, which helps relieve pain. The dressing may need to be replaced daily until the pain diminishes and the socket begins to heal. Your dentist or prosthodontist may recommend an anti-inflammatory drug, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or prescribe other pain relievers to manage the pain associated with dry socket. Cigarette smoking or other tobacco use may delay healing and should be avoided following the extraction of a tooth, and especially if a dry socket develops.

Facial pain or jaw pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint is the most common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders, also known as TMJ. Facial pain may be caused by dislocation or injury which are internal changes to the joint involving a displaced disc, a dislocated jaw or injury to the muscle. Arthritis and degenerative or inflammatory joint disorders also may lead to facial pain.

Facial pain may be relieved by eating soft foods; applying ice packs when pain occurs; avoiding extreme jaw movements including wide yawning, loud singing and gum chewing. Since facial pain is often associated with stress and/or cramps in the chewing muscles techniques to reduce stress and practicing gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises to increase jaw movement may be helpful. Short-term use of common pain medicines may provide temporary relief from jaw discomfort and facial pain.

Depending on your history and symptoms your prosthodontist may recommend a stabilization splint or bite guard to treat your facial pain. This custom-made plastic device fits over the upper or lower teeth. Stabilization splints are the most common treatments for TMJ disorders, including facial pain.

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums, also called gingiva. An accumulation of plaque causes the gums to become red and bleed easily when touched. Proper cleaning of the teeth prevents gingivitis and the subsequent symptom of bleeding gums. Your dentist, dental hygienist or prosthodontist can teach you how to properly clean your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and with tools such as a dental floss to clean between your teeth. Gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition know as periodontitis or gum disease, which may lead to a chronic infection of the bone and supporting structures of the teeth causing the teeth to become loose.

Gum disease is a term that refers to both gingivitis and the more serious condition of periodontitis. Most often gum disease refers to the chronic infection of periodontitis that can destroy the soft tissue in your mouth and the bone that support the teeth. If left untreated, gum disease, or periodontitis, may result in tooth loss and in some cases it is associated with coronary artery disease. The most obvious cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene, but several risk factors may increase your chances of developing gum disease. These risk factors include: smoking and tobacco use, family history, diabetes, stress and in women, hormone changes associated with pregnancy and/or menopause. Proper cleaning of the teeth prevents gum disease and the subsequent symptom of bleeding gums.

Halitosis is the medical term to describe bad breath. Although a few medical conditions may cause halitosis, the most common causes are related to the condition of your teeth and/or your dental hygiene. Broken teeth or badly decayed teeth may collect debris and in time bacteria forms and causes a bad taste and smell.

The first step to improving halitosis is restoring your teeth and then to prevent halitosis keep your teeth, your gums and your tongue extremely clean. A buildup of plaque may lead to gingivitis and gum disease, a common cause of halitosis. It also is important to brush your tongue to remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to halitosis. Other causes of halitosis include certain foods, tobacco use and dry mouth.

Facial pain or jaw pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint is the most common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders, also known as TMJ. Jaw pain may be caused by dislocation or injury which are internal changes to the joint involving a displaced disc, a dislocated jaw or injury to the muscle. Arthritis and degenerative or inflammatory joint disorders also may lead to jaw pain.

Jaw pain may be relieved by eating soft foods; applying ice packs when pain occurs; avoiding extreme jaw movements including wide yawning, loud singing and gum chewing. Since jaw pain is often associated with stress and/or cramps in the chewing muscles techniques to reduce stress and practicing gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises to increase jaw movement may be helpful. Short-term use of common pain medicines may provide temporary relief from facial discomfort and jaw pain.

Depending on your history and symptoms your prosthodontist may recommend a stabilization splint or bite guard to treat your jaw pain. This custom-made plastic device fits over the upper or lower teeth. Stabilization splints are the most common treatments for TMJ disorders, including jaw pain.

Genetic and environmental factors can affect the development of teeth including the size and shape. Misshapen teeth may be isolated to one tooth or may occur as part of a widespread condition throughout the mouth. Common misshapen teeth include wisdom teeth, second premolars and upper lateral incisors. Misshapen lateral incisors result from a developmental flaw that causes the tooth to be small and pointed, looking like a peg. Because upper lateral incisors play such an important role in the appearance of your smile, this misshapen tooth receives a great deal of attention. A prosthodontist can determine the best treatment for any misshapen teeth and is uniquely qualified to restore a misshapen tooth, such as a peg lateral, give you an esthetically pleasing smile.

One of the most common genetic defects affecting teeth is called ectodermal dysplasia. Individuals affected by this syndrome often have abnormally small, misshapen teeth or missing teeth. A patient with this inherited disorder should have the dental problems evaluated early in life, and a prosthodontist’s training allows a comprehensive approach to the misshapen and missing teeth.

Tooth decay, gum disease and injury are common causes of missing teeth. It is important to replace missing teeth to continue proper chewing of food and an attractive smile. Missing teeth disrupts proper function and the teeth next to and above the missing tooth/teeth will shift, move and tip into the space in time. It is much easier to restore a missing tooth soon after it is lost than waiting a number of years. A prosthodontist can determine the best method to replace your missing tooth or teeth.

Some people are born without certain teeth, and this condition is called congenitally missing teeth. Genetic factors cause congenitally missing teeth and this condition is often seen in generations of a family. The most common missing teeth are wisdom teeth, upper lateral incisors and second premolars/bicuspids.

Certain systemic conditions, usually inherited disorders, also result in multiple missing teeth. One of the most common genetic defects affecting teeth is called ectodermal dysplasia. Individuals affected by this syndrome often have abnormally small, misshapen teeth or missing teeth. A patient with congenitally missing teeth associated with ectodermal dysplasia should have the dental problems evaluated early in life, and a prosthodontist’s training allows a comprehensive approach to the misshapen and missing teeth.

About two-thirds of oral cancer in the mouth or oral cavity occurs in the floor of mouth and tongue, but can occur in the upper or lower jaw, lips, gums and cheek lining. Just behind the mouth is an area known as the orophyarnx. Oropharyngeal cancer (one-third of cases) occurs in the back of the tongue, tonsils and throat tissue. Oral cancer kills one American every hour of ever day, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Early detection offers the best chance of survival, yet only one-third of oral cancer is found in the earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

Who are most at risk?

Smokers: People who use tobacco are six times more likely to develop oral cancer. Eight of 10 oral cancer patients are smokers.
Heavy alcohol drinkers: 80 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer consume more than 21 drinks weekly.
HPV infected: People with history of oral human papilloma virus infections are at greater risk to develop oral cancer even if they don’t smoke or drink.

What are the warning signs?

• Red or white patches in or behind the mouth
• Mouth sores or ulcers that bleed easily and do not heal
• Unexplained lump in the neck, throat or floor of the mouth
• Difficulty or discomfort swallowing
• Pain and tenderness in teeth or gums
• Change in the fit of dentures or partial dentures
• Visible change in mouth tissue
• Unpleasant sensations (pain, discomfort, numbness)
• Diminished ability to perform normal functions such as opening jaw, chewing or swallowing
• Unexplained swelling or fullness in the neck

During the last several decades oral piercing has increased in popularity with many people having their tongue and/or lips pierced. Before making the decision to pursue oral piercing, you should consider some of the issues associated with oral piercing. The mouth is a moist environment with many strains of bacteria naturally residing there, which makes it easy for an infection to develop, especially if the oral piercing does not include the use of sterilized instruments.

A high risk of excessive bleeding may occur with oral piercing on the tongue because of the many blood vessels found in your tongue. If the oral piercing damages a nerve in the tongue, you may experience a long-lasting numbness. Even if the oral piercing goes well, significant swelling of the tongue or lip is normal – so much so that a larger piece of jewelry is inserted initially then changed for a smaller piece after complete healing in six months. Long term problems associated with oral piercing include: difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing, chipped or damaged teeth, increased salivary flow and potential swallowing of or choking on the jewelry.

Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a severe bone disease that occurs when there is a loss of blood to the bone. The primary symptom of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is exposure of the bone through the gums that doesn’t heal for several weeks. This exposure may occur spontaneously or more likely following an invasive dental procedure such as extraction in patients with certain risk factors. Patients at risk for developing osteonecrosis of the jaw include:

• Patients receiving radiation therapy to the head and neck to treat cancer.
• Patients on long-term steroid therapy.
• Certain cancer patients with metastasis to the bone who use IV Bisphosphonates to decrease pain and the risk of bone fracture.

Although these patients have the highest risk to develop osteonecrosis of the jaw, other risk factors are advanced age, diabetes, gum disease and smoking.

The long-term risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw for those patients using oral bisphosphonates in treating osteoporosis is unknown at this time, but it certainly seems less than those patients on IV therapy.

Various treatment options for osteonecrosis of the jaw have been explored; however, severe cases of ONJ still require surgical removal of the affected bone. A thorough history and evaluation of pre-existing problems and possible sites of dental infection are required to help prevent the condition.

Peg lateral incisors describes a condition where the second tooth on either side of the upper front teeth does not develop correctly and is small, often pointed and looks like a peg. Sometimes, the permanent adult teeth do not develop at all, leaving only the baby teeth or primary teeth in place. Some people refer to these teeth as peg laterals but a true peg lateral incisor is a term reserved for the under-developed adult permanent tooth that erupts after the baby tooth has been lost.

Because upper lateral incisors play such an important role in the appearance of your smile, peg lateral incisors receive a great deal of attention. A prosthodontist can determine the best treatment for any misshapen teeth and is uniquely qualified to restore a peg lateral incisor to give you an esthetically pleasing smile.

Periodontitis, or gum disease, can destroy the soft tissue in your mouth and the bone that support the teeth. If left untreated, gum disease, or periodontitis, may result in tooth loss and in some cases it is associated with coronary artery disease. The most obvious cause of gum disease is poor oral hygiene, but several risk factors may increase your chances of developing gum disease. These risk factors include: smoking and tobacco use, family history, diabetes, stress and in women, hormone changes associated with pregnancy and/or menopause.

Sleep apnea is temporary pause in breathing while sleeping. The pause may last a few seconds to a several minutes. Often sleep apnea occurs when an individual’s airway is blocked, which interrupts the airflow and snoring may occur. Typically an individual with sleep apnea is unaware that he or she is having difficulty breathing during the night. Symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring, restless sleep or tiredness during the day.

Different treatments for sleep apnea are available including a specially designed night guard that repositions the lower jaw to help improve the airflow during sleep (oral appliance therapy), and a device that includes a face mask and continuous positive airflow pressures.

Spots on your mouth or tongue can result from infection, causing swelling, redness and ulcers (i.e. cold sore/herpes, gingivitis, thrush, chicken pox). Allergic reactions to food or other substances can cause red and white spots on your mouth or tongue. Other causes of red and white spots are trauma, vitamin deficiencies (i.e. B12), antibiotics, smoking, canker sores, geographic tongue and cancer.

A complete examination of the mouth by your dentist or prosthodontist is necessary to determine the cause of the spots on your mouth or tongue. Treatment may include removal of the cause of trauma, antibiotics, anti-viral medication, anti-fungal medications, creams, rinses and tongue scraping.

The temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ, connects the condyle of the lower jaw (mandible) with a socket (fossa) of the temporal bone on the side of the head. Place your fingers in front of your ears and open your mouth to feel your TMJ. These joints allow the jaw to smoothly move up and down and side to side, allowing us to talk, chew and yawn. Muscles attached to the TMJ control its position and movement. A soft disc lies between the mandibular condyle and the temporal bone and absorbs shock to the jaw joint.

Pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint is the most common symptom of TMJ/TMD issues. You also may experience radiating pain in the face, jaw or neck; jaw muscle stiffness; limited movement or locking of the jaw; painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint during movement; or a change in your bite.

TMJ/TMD pain may be relieved by eating soft foods; applying ice packs when pain occurs; avoiding extreme jaw movements including wide yawning, loud singing and gum chewing. Since TMJ/TMD is often associated with stress and/or cramps in the chewing muscles, techniques to reduce stress and practicing gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises to increase jaw movement may be helpful. Short-term use of common pain medicines may provide temporary relief from TMJ/TMD pain.

Depending on your history and symptoms your prosthodontist may recommend a stabilization splint or bite guard to treat your jaw pain. This custom-made plastic device fits over the upper or lower teeth. Stabilization splints are the most common treatments for TMJ/TMD pain and dysfunction.

A tooth abscess results from a bacterial infection of a damaged tooth where infected material (pus containing dead tissue, bacteria and white blood cells) collects in and around the root of the tooth. A fluid-filled bubble may form on the gum beside the abscessed tooth, and there is often pain ranging from a sharp shooting pain to a dull ache associated with the tooth abscess. Causes for a tooth abscess include dental caries (decay), trauma to the tooth such as a sports injury, car wreck, etc. and broken or cracked teeth. The key to treating a tooth abscess is to remove the source of infection. Treatment for a tooth abscess may involve a root canal or tooth removal. Antibiotics also may be prescribed to help fight the infection.

Proper tooth brushing habits are the key to maintaining a healthy, pain-free mouth. Whether you use a manual or electric toothbrush, the same principles apply to develop the correct tooth brushing techniques. Because it is important to clean your gums as well as your teeth and to avoid damaging the gums, you should always use a soft-bristled toothbrush.

To avoid bleeding gums and gingivitis, clean the area where the gums meet the teeth by placing the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle, touching both the gums and the teeth and make small circles with the brush for several seconds. Then move the brush to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth and clean them with a front to back motion of the toothbrush. Electronic toothbrushes may enhance the proper tooth brushing techniques by automatically providing the proper cleansing motion and encouraging specific time interval, usually two minutes, for a thorough cleaning.

A tooth chip may occur when you chew on hard foods, may be caused by an accident or may be caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism. You may not even realize that your tooth is damaged. A tooth chip may not be visible to the eye or show up on an x-ray. A tooth chip may cause pain or sensitivity if biting causes pressure on the tooth crack. Treatment may vary depending on the size and location of the tooth chip.

A tooth crack may occur when you chew on hard foods, may be caused by an accident or may be caused by grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism. You may not even realize that your tooth is damaged. A tooth crack may not be visible to the eye or show up on an x-ray. A tooth crack may cause pain or sensitivity if biting causes pressure on the tooth crack. Treatment may vary depending on the size and location of the tooth crack.

Tooth decay, also known as dental decay, dental cavities or caries, is associated with a chronic build up of plaque on or between your teeth. Bacteria are found within the plaque and produce acid especially in the presence of carbohydrate-rich foods. Dental decay develops when the acid damages and ultimately destroys the enamel allowing the bacteria to penetrate the tooth often resulting in a hole in your tooth.

Proper dental hygiene including cleaning your teeth using a manual or electric toothbrush and by using tools such as dental floss to reach between your teeth may help prevent dental decay from developing.

Tooth discoloration may be caused by problems with the formation of the tooth enamel, problems within the tooth or by simple stains from food, beverages or habits. Certain medications or chemicals taken by a pregnant woman or by a very young child can disrupt the development of tooth enamel and result in the tooth becoming discolored with gray bands, mottling or pitting.

This type of tooth discoloration may be managed by a tooth whitening procedure and/or the placement of porcelain veneers. Tooth discoloration also may be caused by a tooth that is chronically infected or necrotic with the tooth taking on a uniform grayish hue. In this situation, the infection must be treated first and then the color can be corrected by bleaching or a restoration. The simplest form of tooth discoloration is the stains caused by external factors such as food/beverages or tobacco use. Often a thorough professional cleaning will remove the discoloration and restore the teeth to their original brightness and whiteness.

Proper dental hygiene includes not only thoroughly brushing your teeth and gums, but also flossing the teeth to clean between them. Tooth flossing is easy once you get in the habit of flossing regularly. The technique is the same for all types of floss:

• Take approximately 16-18 inches of floss and wrap it around your fingers.
• Use your thumb and index finger to gently guide the floss between the teeth and through the contact area.
• When you reach the gum line, carefully move the floss up and down against each tooth reaching under the gum.
• Readjust the floss to use a clean section for every two teeth.

Initially the gums may bleed when flossing, but with continued and regular tooth flossing the gums will become healthy and stop bleeding. Regular flossing may decrease the chances of gingivitis or gum disease.

Teeth grinding also known as bruxism, usually happens at night while you sleep. Most people who experience teeth grinding are not aware that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep – unless a partner is awakened by the noise. This habit of teeth grinding is extremely destructive and in time may wear away your teeth and/or strain your temporomandibular joint, also known as TMJ, and the muscles used in chewing.

Studies have shown that teeth grinding tends to be related to stress, and people generate much greater forces when grinding their teeth than they do during normal jaw function. The movements of the jaw during teeth grinding are more exaggerated than the more limited movement of someone’s normal jaw function. Although no cure for teeth grinding is available, your prosthodontist can produce a device that will protect the teeth, support your TMJ and provide relief from muscle fatigue.

Tooth loss may be the result of decay, gum disease or injury. When tooth loss occurs it is important to replace the missing tooth or teeth to allow the proper chewing of food and an attractive smile. Tooth loss disrupts proper function and the teeth next to and above the missing tooth/teeth will shift, move and tip into the space over time. It is much easier to treat tooth loss soon after the tooth is removed than waiting a number of years.

Tooth loss may be solved in many ways including dental implants, a fixed bridge, a removable partial denture or dentures. A prosthodontist can determine the best method to replace your missing tooth or teeth.

Ideally, our teeth will function without any discomfort throughout our life, but unfortunately, most of us will experience at least one of the many conditions that can cause tooth pain. There are many causes of tooth pain and include: dental decay, fractured or cracked teeth, damaged or leaking fillings, gum disease or grinding. The type of tooth pain varies based on the condition, but may range from a fleeting sensitivity to a persistent dull ache. Only a dental professional can determine the exact cause of your pain and the appropriate treatment.

You may feel like you have a toothache in an upper tooth, but the tooth pain is actually because of a sinus problem. The maxillary sinuses are located in the middle part of the face and often become congested or infected. Everyone is different, but often the maxillary sinuses are located very close to the roots of the upper, back teeth. When the sinuses are extremely congested, inflamed or infected the patient may feel a dull ache, tooth pain or pressure associated with the teeth. To determine how the pain may be related to your teeth and the sinuses, visit your dentist or prosthodontist who can make the correct diagnosis.

Ideally your teeth will function without any discomfort throughout your life, but unfortunately, you may experience at least one of the many conditions that can cause tooth sensitivity. Many causes of tooth sensitivity exist including dental decay, fractured or cracked teeth, damaged or leaking fillings, receding gums, improper brushing techniques causing root abrasion and grinding, also called bruxism. The type of tooth sensitivity varies based on the condition, but may range from a fleeting sensitivity to a persistent problem.

Some of the simple causes of tooth sensitivity may be treated by using fluoride rinses, applying toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth or a special desensitizing agent. Only a dentist or prosthodontist can determine the exact cause of your tooth sensitivity and advise the appropriate treatment.

Tooth stains may occur internally within the tooth structure or as external, surface stains. Tooth stains may be caused by problems with the formation of the tooth enamel, problems within the tooth or by simple stains from food, beverages or habits. Certain medications or chemicals taken by a pregnant woman or by a very young child can disrupt the development of tooth enamel and result in the tooth becoming stained with gray bands, mottling or pitting.

This type of tooth stain may be managed by a tooth whitening procedure and/or the placement of porcelain veneers. Tooth stains may also be caused by a tooth that is chronically infected or necrotic with the tooth taking on a uniform grayish hue. In this situation, the infection must be treated first and then the color can be corrected by bleaching or a restoration. The simplest form of tooth stain is the discoloration caused by external factors such as food/beverages or tobacco use. Often a thorough professional cleaning will remove the stain and restore the teeth to their original brightness and whiteness.

A toothache or tooth pain may develop in around a tooth that is inflamed or infected. The pain may range from sharp and shooting pain to a dull ache. A toothache may be triggered by eating hot or cold foods or drinking hot or cold beverages or the pain may be spontaneous. Some toothaches are so painful a person is unable to sleep.

If you have a tooth abscess, a pus-filled bubble may form on the gum next to the tooth or in severe cases, your face may swell. The treatment for a toothache depends on the cause and the severity of the pain. Common causes of a toothache include decay, fractured or cracked teeth, a damaged filling, gum disease or grinding of the teeth, also known as bruxism.

Xerostomia is chronic dry mouth, which is caused by lack of saliva for a long period of time. Multiple causes for this condition include medications, chronic diseases and certain medical treatments. Chronic dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, but it increases your risk for dental decay and makes it difficult for dentures to fit properly. To help relieve symptoms of dry mouth you may want to drink fluids that do not contain sugar, and water is the best. You also may want to use sugar-free, hard candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow. You should visit dentist or prosthodontist more frequently than every six months to address your increased risk of tooth decay.