Archive for January, 2012

What Is It? Unlike teeth with obvious fractures, teeth with cracked tooth syndrome usually have fractures that are too small to be seen on X-rays. Sometimes the fracture is below the gum line, making it even more difficult to identify. Cracked tooth syndrome more often occurs in molars, usually lower molars, which absorb most of the forces of chewing. People who grind or clench their teeth may be more susceptible to cracked tooth syndrome because of the constant forces put on their teeth. Read more...

What Is It? Cheilosis (also called cheilitis) is a painful inflammation and cracking of the corners of the mouth. It sometimes occurs on only one side of the mouth, but usually involves both sides. This disorder occurs most frequently in people with ill-fitting dentures that fail to adequately separate the upper and lower jaws. People with habits that irritate the corners of the mouth, like licking or rubbing those areas, also are more likely to develop cheilosis. Moisture gathers in skin folds Read more...

What Is It? This disease causes painful, round ulcers to develop on the linings of the cheeks and lips, the tongue or the base of the gums. The tendency to develop these ulcers is inherited. Ulcers also can be associated with other diseases, particularly connective tissue diseases such as lupus or Behçet's syndrome, which cause symptoms on the eyes and genitals as well as the mouth. There can be one or many ulcers at the same time, and they are recurrent, which means they keep returning. Multiple Read more...

Can Medication Have an Effect on My Oral Health? Yes, medications can have oral side effects — dry mouth being the most common. Be sure to tell your dentist about any medications that you're taking, even medicines that you purchase without a prescription. These are the types of medications that will often produce dry mouth: Antihistamines Decongestants Pain Killers Diuretics High Blood Pressure Medications Antidepressants Other medications may cause abnormal bleeding when brushing Read more...

What Is It? Bruxism is clenching or grinding your teeth, often without being aware that your are doing it. In the United States, bruxism affects an estimated 30 to 40 million children and adults. Some people grind their teeth only during sleep; this condition is called "nocturnal bruxism" or "sleep-related bruxism." Others grind their teeth during the daytime as well, most often during situations that make them feel tense or anxious. People with severe bruxism can fracture dental fillings or Read more...