Oral Conditions

Smoking Effects on Oral Health

The harmful effects of cigarettes are often linked to important topics like lung cancer and cardiovascular issues. But how exactly do they affect your dental and oral health?

As we inhale cigarette smoke, the chemicals and carcinogens fill our mouths. What is not removed through the nose or mouth as we exhale is absorbed in our gums and tissues. According to WebMD.com, these chemicals may affect the connection of bone and soft tissues to the teeth and interfere with the normal gum tissue cells. Dr. Robert Genco, D. D. S. and editor of the Journal of Periodontology, explains how the inhalation of tobacco smoke reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the gingival tissue, decreasing nutrients and making smokers more susceptible to infections like gum disease.

Teeth Clenching by Night Causes Muscle Pain by Day

Muscle tightening around the jaw can be painful. Most often it is caused by grinding and clenching your teeth at night or when you're stressed out. The acronym TMD comes from Temporomandibular disorder and is a general reference to problems with the jaws and their functioning. Commonly known as TMJ, related to joint function, it refers to a complex system caused by many factors. The temporomandibular system is made up of three parts: the joint or TMJ, the teeth, and the neuromuscular system. A problem in any of the three areas can affect the health and function of the others.

Technology Restores Cancer Survivor Roger Ebert's "Voice"

He can’t eat, drink water or speak a word, but film critic Roger Ebert has regained his voice. The public will hear him "talk" this week in a rare public appearance as he gives his 2010 Oscar predictions.

Bad Breath: Not Just Dieting, Wine or Onion Rings

There are many reasons for chronic bad breath or halitosis. It may be more than that garlic toast, wine tasting or that fasting diet—it could be a medical problem. Most of the time bad breath does start in the mouth so the common diagnosis is food, smoking, drinking or dental problems. Dieters should also be aware that ketoacidosis, the breakdown of chemicals during fasting, also creates bad breath.

Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Dry mouth, also called xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah), is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep the mouth wet. Xerostomia is a common complaint found often among older adults, affecting approximately 20 percent of the elderly.

Tongue-Tie: A Potential Speech Problem, Not a Social Stumbling Block

You’ve probably heard the phrase tongue-tied to describe that feeling we all get when we just can’t get the words out. What you may not know is that tongue-tied is an actual medical condition that limits the mobility of the tongue, which can cause serious eating and speech problems for some people.

Painful Papillae and Other Tongue Conditions

The tongue may be one of the most used and least thought about muscles in our bodies… until something goes wrong. Here are a few of the things that can cause changes in how the tongue looks and how it functions.