Dentist

No. Diabetes doesn't cause bad breath, but it can cause "acetone breath," often described as smelling sweet or fruity. Another telltale sign: lots of gum inflammation, despite regular flossing and brushing. Dentists who see these symptoms often refer patients to a doctor to check for diabetes. That's because uncontrolled diabetes hampers the body's ability to fight off bacterial infection, which can lead to runaway gum disease.

No. Older women can lose their pearly whites to osteoporosis. When bone thinning strikes, typically after menopause, the jaw isn't spared; its tooth sockets may become too weak to hold the teeth.

Yes. Some studies show gum disease to be a risk factor for preterm/low birth weight; however, few have looked that the impact of prevention and treatment on pregnancy outcomes. Other studies have not found an association and do not support the findings that gum disease is a risk factor for preterm/low birth weight babies.

Now, pregnant women have even more reason to shun cigarettes. Smoking is a big risk factor for developing gum disease.

Yes. Not getting enough iron can cause sores at the corners of the mouth, and can lead to a sore tongue. Vitamin C deficiency causes gums to easily bruise and bleed, and may lead to tooth loss. Vitamin D deficiency boosts the risk of jaw fracture and gum disease.

yes. Every time you brush your teeth you release some bacteria into your mouth. That's not usually a problem. But when your gums are inflamed from gingivitis or other problems, you release a much higher load of bacteria, and that can contribute to health problems. The best way to prevent inflammation and gum disease is to brush and floss your teeth regularly.

Everybody wants a great smile, but a lot of us need help getting there. More and more people are having success with clear orthodontic devices called aligners.

A tooth that is severely damaged may need to be removed. A surgeon who specializes in surgeries of the mouth (oral and maxillofacial surgeon) or your dentist can remove a tooth.

Malocclusion means having crooked teeth. Bite refers to the way the upper and lower teeth line up. In a normal bite, the upper teeth sit slightly forward of the lower teeth. Very few people have a perfect bite.

Malocclusion is usually caused by problems with the shape or size of the jaw or teeth. A common cause is having too much or too little room in the jaw. If a child's jaw is small, the teeth may grow in crowded or crooked. If there's too much space in the jaw, the teeth may drift out of place.

The most obvious sign is teeth that are crooked or stick out. But there are many different types of malocclusion. For example, some people have buck teeth (called an overjet). This means that the upper front teeth are pushed outward. Some people have an underbite. Their lower front teeth sit farther forward than their upper front teeth.

☛ Side effect of certain medications.

☛ Side effect of certain diseases and infections.

☛ Side effect of certain medical treatments.

☛ Nerve damage.

☛ Dehydration.

☛ Surgical removal of the salivary glands.

☛ Lifestyle.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.

Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.

Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that make saliva, can reduce the amount of saliva produced. For example, the damage could stem from radiation to the head and neck, and chemotherapy treatments, for cancer.

Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect how much saliva you make and aggravate dry mouth. Breathing with your mouth open a lot can also contribute to the problem.

☛ A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

☛ Frequent thirst

☛ Sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips

☛ A dry feeling in the throat

☛ A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue

☛ A dry, red, raw tongue

☛ Problems speaking or trouble tasting, chewing, and swallowing

☛ Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat

☛ Bad breath

Dry mouth also raises your risk of gingivitis (gum disease), tooth decay, and mouth infections, such as thrush. Dry mouth can also make it hard to wear dentures.

☛ Suck on sugar-free candy or chew sugar-free gum.

☛ Drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist.

☛ Brush with a fluoride toothpaste, use a fluoride rinse, and visit your dentist regularly.

☛ Breathe through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible.

☛ Use a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air.

☛ Use an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.

Either kind of brush is fine, but you are more likely to spend the right amount of time brushing-two to three minutes-when you’re using an electric toothbrush, says Barbara Ann Rich, a spokesperson for the Academy of General Dentistry and a dentist in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. (Manual brushes average less than one minute.) Whichever you use, choose one with soft bristles. Others may be too abrasive and could lead to receding gums. No matter what kind of brush you choose, be sure to floss daily.