You know good dental
habits can help prevent things like cavities and gingivitis, but you may not
know what conditions like these really look like or how they can affect your
mouth. Use this visual guide to learn more about some of the most common dental
health issues, symptoms to watch for and the potential treatments that are
available. Please
note: This content is for informational purposes only. Only a dentist,
physician or other qualified health care professional can make a diagnosis. Darkened Tooth
There
are two reasons your tooth may change color after trauma: It’s either trying
to protect the nerve or it’s dying. If it’s protecting the nerve, your tooth
may look a little darker than the ones next to it. If it changes colors like a
bruise (from pink to gray), this means your tooth is most likely dead. You may
need a root canal, usually followed by
a crown. In some cases it may
be necessary to remove the tooth. If it is a baby tooth, you may be able to
leave it alone until it falls out. Canker Sores
Canker sores are small white or
gray sores with a red border that appear your lips, the back of your throat or
under your tongue. Their exact cause is uncertain but some suggest that immune
system problems, bacteria or viruses may be play a role. They are also more
common in women.
Canker sores aren’t contagious and usually heal on their own after one or two
weeks. Over-the-counter creams and mouthwashes may give you temporary relief.
Until it heals, stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods because these can
irritate the sore. Cancer
Each
year, approximately 40,000 new cases of oral cancer and cancers of the
throat, tonsils and back of the tongue are diagnosed. Tobacco use, alcohol abuse and HPV all increase your
chance of developing these
cancers.
Men are twice more likely to get oral cancer than women. During regular
checkups, your dentist will check your mouth for symptoms like red or white
patches, sores that won’t heal and rough, crusty spots. If anything suspicious
is found, your dentist will order more testing or refer you to a specialist.
The image above is only one example of how oral cancer might appear. To read the entire article visit MouthHealthy.org.
You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can check for cancer at the same time. It’s estimated that approximately 51,540 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2018. Sunlight People who have jobs working outside are more prone to developing lip cancer and should use UV protection. Diet Poor nutrition also may put you at risk for developing oral cancer. A diet low in fruits and vegetables may increase your chance of developing oral cancer, so add more color to your plate!
