Cold Sores

Also called fever blisters, you

don¶t get cold sores from
fevers or colds but they can be
triggered by them. The virus
that causes cold sores is
usually passed via a kiss,
shared utensils, or other close
contact. OTC creams and
ointments may help discomfort
and speed healing. Frequent
sores may require a
prescription. Cold sores are a
top mouth problem. Other
problems include canker
sores, TMJ, bad breath, and
mouth cancer.
 Thrush
Caused by candida yeast,
thrush is most common in
older adults or babies. But a
weakened immune system,
antibiotics, diabetes or certain
medications such as inhaled
corticosteroids can give
candida a chance to grow
wild. Wiping away the
patches will cause soreness.
See a doctor for a firm
diagnosis

§
 


 
 






 
 

 Black Hairy Tongue
This painless condition occurs
when the little bumps on your
tongue grow long and trap
bacteria that live in your mouth -
- making your tongue look black
and hairy. Causes can
include antibiotic use, poor oral
hygiene, smoking, drinking a lot
of tea or coffee, and not
producing enough saliva.
Brushing your tongue and using
a tongue scraper is usually all
you need to treat it, though
sometimes medication is



 


 
 
necessary.


 
 
 Canker Sores
No one knows what
causes these small,
painful blisters inside your
mouth. Triggers include
hypersensitivity, infection,
hormones, stress, and not
getting enough of some
vitamins. Also called
aphthous ulcers, canker
sores can show up on
your tongue, cheek, even
gums. They usually last a
week or two. Persistent,
severe canker sores can
be treated with numbing
creams or prescription
Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent treatments.
canker sores
 eukoplakia
eukoplakia is a reaction to
an irritant, like rough teeth,
badly fitting dentures,
smoking, and smokeless
tobacco. It can show up as
white patches or plaques in
the mouth, usually is
painless, and can¶t be
scraped off. eukoplakia
can also be a precancerous
  

 

 

condition. Persistent

  
patches or other changes in
your mouth need a dentist¶s
evaluation.
 ichen Planus
A rare rash that shows up
as lacy, white patches or
red shiny bumps on the
inside of the cheeks or
tongue could be lichen
planus. No one knows
what causes it. Generally,
mild lichen planus doesn¶t
need any treatment. If it
causes pain or ulcers, it
can be treated with oral
and topical medication.
Oral lichen planus can be
chronic and may increase
the risk for oral cancer.
 
  


  
ichen planus can also
 
  




affect skin, scalp, nails,

and genitals.
 Geographic Tongue
When parts of your tongue
are missing some of their
small bumps, you end up with
raised and lowered spots,
giving your tongue a map-like
appearance. The spots can
change location, pattern, and
size within minutes to hours.
Geographic tongue is
harmless and can come and
go. It usually doesn¶t need
any treatment. If there¶s pain,
over-the-counter pain
relievers and anti-
ð  


 


inflammatory medications can

  
  help.
 Mouth Cancer
A mouth sore that doesn¶t go
away. Unexplained numbness in
the face, mouth, or neck.
Problems chewing, speaking or
swallowing. These are a few
symptoms of mouth cancer.
Causes can include smoking
cigarettes and using smokeless
tobacco, drinking heavily,
overexposure to the sun, and a
family history of cancer. Don¶t let
fear keep you from the doctor --
oral cancer that is caught early
is treatable and curable.
4 
      
         
 TMJ
A problem with the jaw
called temporomandibular
joint syndrome can
cause severe pain in the
jaw, face, ear, or neck.
Clenching, tooth grinding,
or injury can all cause
TMJ, but the results are
often the same: pain,
headaches, dizziness,
even trouble swallowing.
Ê


 

 






 




Treatment may involve
rest, a mouth guard,
medication, or surgery.
 Chipped Teeth
Munching on ice or hard
candies, grinding or clenching
teeth, even exposing teeth to
heat and cold can lead to
chips, cracks, and breaks in
your teeth. Tiny chips or cracks
may not be a bother. But
anything more could lead to
pain or permanent tooth
damage. Your dentist can offer
dental bonding, tooth
contouring, porcelain veneers,
and crowns to fix badly
damaged teeth.
=



 


 

 
 



 

 Amalgam Tattoo

Ever notice a small blue-gray

³stain´ in a soft part of your
mouth after dental work?
Called amalgam tattoos, they
occur when a tiny piece of
amalgam filling gets embedded
in your cheek or gum. The
silver in the amalgam leaches
into your mouth¶s soft tissue,
resulting in what looks a bit like
a tiny tattoo. Amalgam tattoos
pose no harm. But if the blue-
gray spot grows or changes
color, that¶s not an amalgam
Ê


 


 

 



tattoo. Ask your dentist to





check it out.
 Periodontal Disease
With periodontal disease
like gingivitis, bacteria in
plaque can cause
receding gum lines.
Pockets form that
become infected and can
cause bone loss. Proper
oral hygiene can help
prevent periodontal
disease. Smoking, poor
diet, and stress can make
h  

 
 

  
it worse. See your dentist


to treat receding gums.
 Gum Disease
Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
could be gingivitis, which can
cause teeth to loosen and fall
out. Also called gum disease,
gingivitis ± a form of periodontal
disease -- can happen when an
illness, medication, plaque, or
other problem leaves gums
vulnerable to bacterial infection.
Prevention is the best strategy.
That means daily flossing and
brushing, as well as regular
dental visits. Severe gingivitis
may require antibiotics.

°  


 

 

 Aspirin Burn
Ever let an aspirin nestle in
your cheek, near an aching
tooth? While you may hope
this relieves pain faster,
instead the acid in the
aspirin burns a white, rough
lesion into your gums or
cheek. Preventing aspirin
burn is simple - swallow
those pain relievers!
Ê 


  

  

 Treatment for aspirin burn is






just as basic: Time. Simple
burns should heal in about
two weeks.
 Cavities, Abcesses,
Discoloration
Flossing and brushing daily
and regular dental checkups
help prevent problems like
cavities, abscesses, and tooth
discoloration. Don¶t mess
around with a severe
toothache. Dental infections
can spread to the face, skull,
and even to the bloodstream.
See your dentist as soon as
possible if your toothache lasts
longer than 1 or 2 days or if
you have a fever, earache, or
pain when you open your
mouth wide.
O 
 

  

  
  


 



 Bad Breath
Unbrushed teeth have food
particles around them that
promote bacteria and cause
bad breath. Persistent bad
breath or a bad taste in your
mouth may be from continuous
breathing through your mouth,
dry mouth, a sign of gum
disease, or even diabetes. Fight
bad breath by brushing your
teeth and tongue, drinking
water, and avoiding food
triggers. See your dentist if bad
breath persists.

  


 


  

THANK YOU