Oral Health
Oral Health offers guidance on brushing, flossing, and preventing dental issues to help maintain healthy teeth and gums for a brighter smile.
How Long Do TMJ Disorder (TMD) Symptoms Last?
TMD signs such as jaw soreness, trouble chewing, and headaches can persist from a few days to several years. Many cases of TMD are manageable at home and may even resolve without intervention. While occasional jaw clicking usually isn’t alarming, most people want relief from pain that interferes with daily life. If you’re coping with TMD, Erin Fraundorf, DMD, MSD, an orthodontist and the founder of Orthodontic + Whitening Studio,…
Cheek Biting (Morsicatio Buccarum)
Persistent cheek chewing can indicate an underlying mental-health-related response to stress and anxiety. Management may involve psychotherapy, stress-reduction techniques, and dental appliances. Chronic cheek biting, or morsicatio buccarum, involves repeatedly gnawing or nibbling the inner lining (mucous membrane) of the mouth — including the cheeks, lips, and tongue. It is listed as a body-focused repetitive behavior (BFRB) in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth…
How to Stop Biting Your Tongue in Your Sleep
You can end up biting your tongue during sleep because of underlying problems such as facial muscle spasms, seizures, Lyme disease, and other conditions. Addressing these root causes can often stop nocturnal tongue biting. Biting your tongue usually makes you want to shout “ouch.” While exact numbers aren’t available, clinicians note that nearly everyone bites their tongue occasionally. That said, tongue biting frequently occurs during sleep. Seizures and any disorder…
What to Expect During Each Stage of Your Tongue Piercing Healing Process
A tongue piercing generally requires around six to eight weeks to fully heal. That said, the exact recovery period depends entirely on how you look after the new piercing. Contact your physician if you notice any signs of infection. (img by Denver Youth Dentistry) Continue reading to learn which symptoms are common during healing, how aftercare changes from week to week, when it’s safe to swap out your jewelry, and…
How to Stop Your Tongue-Sucking Habit
Tongue sucking is a behavior that can look like you’re holding a hard candy or lozenge between your lips and tongue. Although less common than thumb or finger sucking, tongue sucking can produce pain, discomfort, and embarrassment. The habit occurs in both children and adults. If you or someone close to you has a tongue-sucking habit, there are home strategies and professional treatments that can help. Read on to learn…
What You Need to Know About Dental Anesthesia
Are you scheduled for a dental treatment and wondering about anesthesia? Approximately 10 to 30 percent of individuals feel anxious or fearful about pain from dental care. Anxiety can postpone needed treatment and let dental issues get worse. (img by Aliadent) Anesthetics have been in use for more than 175 years. The first documented anesthetic dental procedure occurred in 1846 using ether. We’ve made significant advances since then, and anesthetics…
How to Choose Dentures or Implants — and Why
When you need to replace one or more missing teeth, you have several choices, including dentures and dental implants. Picking the appropriate option depends on multiple considerations, such as cost, personal preference, and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth. Both dentures and implants have particular strengths and drawbacks, so it’s essential to review your options thoroughly with your dentist. It’s also useful to consider other alternatives beyond dentures…
What to Do When a Dental Crown Becomes Dislodged
If you’ve ever fractured a tooth, chances are a dentist told you that a crown was needed. A dental crown is a cap placed over a compromised tooth. Unlike a veneer, which covers only the front surface, a crown generally envelops most or all of the tooth to reinforce and protect it. (img by Charles Martin DDS) Depending on the crown’s material, it can last for many years. Still, crowns…
What Is a Cemented Crown?
(Credit image: dardespot/Getty Images) A cemented crown is a cap placed over a tooth that has been worn, fractured, or otherwise compromised. The process for fitting a cemented crown is generally brief and straightforward, and complications are uncommon. An alternative to a cemented crown is a screw-retained crown, which is fastened to an implant with a small screw instead of being bonded onto a natural tooth. If your dentist recommends…
7 Causes of Black Spots on Gums
Dark spots on the gums are most often harmless. They can result from minor bruising, benign moles, or melanotic macules. Still, in some cases they might signal a more serious issue like oral cancer. Healthy gums are typically pink, but occasionally you may notice black or very dark brown patches. Many of the potential causes aren’t dangerous, yet some could be concerning. If you observe any dark marks on your…
