Dental Health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a quarter of people over the age of 60 have lost all of their teeth. Advanced gum disease affects up to 15 percent of adults, and an estimated 31,000 people were diagnosed with oral cancer in 2006. But the CDC also says “almost all oral diseases can be prevented.” This guide provides resources to help adults and children care for their teeth and mouth.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Dental Health?
Dental health means strong teeth and healthy gums. Research suggests that beyond eating and ... read more »
Caring for Your Teeth
Advice for keeping your teeth and mouth healthy is pretty standard: brush your teeth after meals, ... read more »
Dental Problems
The mouth is at risk for all sorts of problems, such as a cavities, dry mouth or more serious conditions. These sites explain the conditions, what causes them and what can be done to treat them.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Though conditions such as bad breath or grinding your teeth are problems with your mouth, they could be symptomatic of more serious issues elsewhere, such as an upper respiratory infection or stress. Be sure to talk to your doctor or dentist about any problems you have to rule out other conditions.
Dulcinea's Picks
For bad breath …
The American Dental Association
says consistent bad breath is often a sign of periodontal disease. It can also be caused by tobacco use, dry mouth or another medical problem, such as diabetes or sinusitis.
For bruxism (grinding teeth) …
Mayo Clinic
says teeth grinding is usually a common but temporary childhood condition, though adults may also grind their teeth. The causes aren’t known but stress is thought to be a factor in adults.
For dental emergencies …
The American Dental Association
has a page with advice for dealing with different emergencies, such as having a tooth cracked, broken or knocked out.
The Academy of General Dentistry
describes how to handle a tooth that’s been knocked out in this PDF fact sheet, and lists items you can assemble in advance for a dental emergency kit.
For dry mouth and other salivary gland disorders …
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
describes dry mouth, its causes and treatments. Saliva helps protect teeth from decay, so dry mouth could lead to cavities and infections.
For gum diseases …
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
has an extensive site on the gum diseases gingivitis and periodontitis. Learn what these diseases are, their causes, symptoms, how they can affect the body and treatment options.
For oral cancer …
The American Cancer Society
has a guide to oral and oropharyngeal cancers that covers what the cancers are, their risk factors and how they are detected and treated.
For a root canal …
The American Dental Association
briefly explains what a root canal is, why someone may need it, and how the procedure is performed. Click on the “Root Canal Treatment” tab on the top right to access the slideshow.
For sensitive teeth …
The Academy of General Dentistry
has a fact sheet on sensitive teeth. This one-page PDF explains that acidic foods, drinks and brushing too hard are among the causes of tooth sensitivity. There’s also advice for when to see your dentist, and what treatments are available.
For temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders …
Mayo Clinic
explains that TMJ disorders are problems with the place where your jawbone meets your skull. Face pain, headaches and being unable to close your mouth completely are signs there may be a problem.
Who knew?
Simple Steps To Better Dental Health
has named the occasion of burning the roof of your mouth while eating, “pizza palate,” because the burns are usually caused by hot pizza. Burns normally heal in five to ten days.
Finding a Dentist
A major component to having good dental health is regular visits to the dentist. This section has ... read more »
Dental News and Research
New discoveries into why teeth decay occurs and how to prevent it are announced all the time. ... read more »
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