Some natural remedies can help you control tooth pain and help stop tooth infections from getting worse.
The only way to truly get rid of an infection is with antibiotics. However, home remedies for tooth infection can help manage the symptoms and alleviate some of the pain. If you have a tooth infection you need to see a dentist to assess whether or not you need a root canal and to get prescription antibiotics to make sure that the infection goes away and doesn’t cause any more pain or damage to your teeth.
Saltwater rinse
One of the easiest things that you can do to help lessen the pain of a tooth infection and try to stop the spread of an infection is to rinse your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. A saltwater rinse will kill off some of the bacteria in your mouth and irrigate your mouth. It can rinse some of the debris out of your mouth and if you have an abscess it can help break up the pus surrounding the tooth. You can use regular table salt and warm tap water to make a basic saltwater rinse. Just add about ½ a teaspoon of salt to a small cup of warm water and stir it will. Rinse your mouth with for a couple of minutes swishing the solution thoroughly around your mouth and then spit it out.
Essential oils
Essential oils have been used for their medicinal properties for centuries. Essential oils are made from plants that are distilled with water or steam or cold pressed to extract the oil within the plant leaves and stems. Steam distillation is the most common modern method of extracting oil from plants but in earlier centuries they often used cold pressing to make sure that they got the best quality oil.
To use essential oils to alleviate pain and promote healing you should always keep the essential oils in a cool place away from things like spices or food. Put a couple of drops of the essential oil on a cotton ball or cotton swab and then use that to apply the oil to your tooth.
There are many different gentle essential oils that have been proven to have some success treating any number of dental issues including infection like: Oregano oil, Thyme oil, Clove oil, Tea Tree oil,Lavender oil.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is something almost everyone has in their medicine kit or first aid cabinet. It has many household and first aid uses, but it’s best known for preventing infections in cuts and for being an effective mouthwash. This simple first aid staple is one of the best remedies for an infected tooth. To make a Hydrogen Peroxide mouth rinse use a 1:1 ratio or mix equal parts peroxide and warm water then rinse your mouth with that.
Garlic
A tooth abscess home remedy that is easy to find and inexpensive to buy is garlic. You may not like the idea of smelling like garlic just because you’re trying to treat a tooth but the healing effects of garlic might make the smell worth it. There is a compound in fresh raw garlic called Allicin that may have significant pain relief and antibacterial properties that can reduce or eliminate the infection in a tooth. If you suspect that you have a tooth infection and you can’t get to a dentist right away, peeling a clove of garlic and gently biting down on it with your infected tooth can help.
Cold compress
A cold compress can help if you have a swollen face from tooth infection. Home remedies can help tooth pain but cold is the best thing to bring down swelling. Most commercially available cold packs don’t bend so it can be difficult to get them to sit right on the curves of your face or neck. Instead of a commercial cold pack, you can make your own by wrapping up some ice in a washcloth or towel.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe Vera gel is often used to treat burns and cuts or skin irritations because it has natural antibacterial properties but it is also an effective way to stop the pain of an infected tooth. It can also help heal abscesses in the gums. When you buy Aloe Vera gel to use in your mouth make sure that you are buying food-grade Aloe Vera so that it’s safe to ingest. You can also use Aloe Vera liquid but the gel is easier to apply to your teeth and gums. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator for extra pain relief. Applying cold Aloe Vera gel to a painful infected tooth or infected gums can give you instant pain relief and the added benefit of fighting infection.
Nobody wants a dental problem. Dental pains are the worse ones. Being the Dental specialist in Gurgaon, I have always wondered about dental issues and pain. Why do people have dental problems? People come to me and telling me their eating schedule, what they have and when they have? it helps me in the research. The Dental specialist in Gurgaon is here to help and diagnose people’s dental problems. People are so addicted to fast foods like patties, pizzas, pasta, chocolates, burger, etc. People rarely eat healthy foods that are good for their teeth.Dental care helps in maintaining your shiny healthy teeth. Terms come under in dental care are
1) Oral hygiene: Oral hygiene means to take care of not only your teeth but also your mouth. The dental issues that come under oral hygiene are bad breath, gum problem, yellow teeth, toothache, crooked teeth, mouth sores, etc. The dental clinic in Gurgaon take every patient seriously and take good care of their patients.
2) Dentistry: It is the team of dentists that includes professional oral hygiene and dental care. The dental clinic in Gurgaon has a professional dentist to take care of every type of dental problem. They are specialized in it.Most awakening dental problems are:
1) Crooked teeth: Crooked teeth are a common dental problem but awakening. It can cause lots of serious problems. Crooked means misaligned. If your teeth are crooked, do not feel like you have to straighten them because it can add to your personality and beauty to your smile. But having crooked teeth start to give you problems like health and speech issues. Then you need to straighten them. Any teeth like a baby or permanent teeth can be crooked. Baby teeth can be sometimes moved towards in crooked position because those teeth are too miniature to fill the amount of gum space given to them. Crooked teeth are also caused by the prolonged habit of sucking thumb, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, etc. Crooked teeth are also caused by poor nutrition and poor dental caring. Come to the best dental clinic in Gurgaon for the best advice on what to do if you had a crooked tooth?
2) Gum diseases: Gum is the place that holds your teeth in place. Gum problem means having an infection in the tissues that hold your teeth. Gum diseases happen mainly because of poor brushing or flossing habits.
These poor brushing and flossing habits can cause the plague. Having the plague means bacteria stick to your gums and slowly harden at your gums. And in the end, gum problem causes gum bleeding, painful in chewing, and even you can lose a tooth. The best dental clinic in Gurgaon has the best staff that can handle every type of dental problem efficiently. They can handle kids perfectly.
3) Yellow teeth: Yellow teeth are caused by poor oral hygiene. Yellow teeth can also be caused by smoking. The yellow tooth is a condition where teeth become strained. To treat this problem, first, quit bad food habits and quit smoking. Then visit the best dentists in Gurgaon.
4) Sensitivity teeth: Sensitivity means having a problem in taking hot and cold beverages. Sensitivity means the outcome of worn tooth enamel or exposed tooth roots. Sensitivity teeth is a serious problem. Sensitivity pain is the worst one.
In the end, after searching for dental issues, I have concluded that dental issues are caused by poor brushing and bad eating habits.
Just a sprinkle of sugar can sweeten just about any food, beverage, or even medicine. Sugar is in thousands of products, from sports drinks to spaghetti sauce. In fact, sugar is in 74 percent of packaged foods. Because it is everywhere, sugar may seem safe. You might be surprised to learn that sugar can create far-reaching health problems, especially for your teeth. Why does sugar hurt my teeth?
The consumption of sugar has a direct connection to tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries. Tooth decay is a condition, in which the protective enamel covering wears away from the tooth. In time, a hole can develop to expose the layer of dentin that sits just beneath the enamel. Left untreated, tooth decay can eventually damage tissue in the pulp, which is the layer of tissue that protects the nerves and blood vessels that serve the tooth. At this stage, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and even loss of the tooth.
How Sugar Causes Tooth Decay
A variety of bacteria lives in your mouth. Some bacteria are beneficial and contribute to healthy teeth and gums, and to good breath. Good bacteria also keep harmful bacteria in check. Harmful bacteria love sugar – sugar is a magnet for bad bacteria. In fact, bacteria even produce special acids that help them digest some of the sugar you eat. The bad news is that this acid damages tooth enamel.
What’s worse is that sugar combines with your saliva to create plaque, which is a clear, sticky substance that coats your teeth. Over time, plaque dissolves your tooth enamel, which leads to cavities.
Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent tooth decay associated with sugar consumption. Brushing after eating can control both plaque and bacteria, for example. Avoiding sugar-sweetened foods and beverages can also help.
How to Fight Back Against Sugar
Watch what you eat and drink
What you consume can affect your teeth. Cheese and dairy products, such as milk and sugar-free yogurt, contain protein and calcium to keep tooth enamel strong. They may also increase pH levels to make your mouth a less acidic environment. Chewing crunchy fruits and vegetables stimulates the production of saliva, which rinses away sugar, bacteria, and acids. When you do eat sugar foods or beverages, consume them during meals instead of between meals.
Use a straw
Sipping on sweet beverages bathes your teeth in sugar. Using a straw minimizes your teeth’s exposure to sugar, and thereby decreases the amount of acid produced by bacteria.
Drink water
Most municipal water supplies are fluoridated, which means the drinking water contains fluoride that strengthens tooth enamel. Drinking water also cleans your mouth to wash away leftover food and sugar, and help neutralize the acids in your mouth. Water also reduces dry mouth when your supply of saliva runs low.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing helps stimulate the production of saliva, which rinses away food and restores the pH balance of your mouth. Be sure to chew sugar-free gum to avoid feeding the unhealthy bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Good Oral Hygiene is Your Best Offense
As the old saying goes, the best defense is a good offense – and this is particularly true when it comes to defending your teeth from the harmful effects of sugar. Good oral hygiene is your best offense against tooth decay.
Brush twice each day to remove the food debris and sugars that feed the bad bacteria living in your mouth. Be sure to use fluoride toothpaste to keep your enamel strong. For best results, rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash or rinse.
Visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist can look for early signs of tooth decay or other problems. Your dental health professional can also offer more tips on keeping your teeth healthy.
The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your entire body, according to the American Dental Association. At 96 percent minerals, tooth enamel is also the most mineralized substance in the body. These minerals, which include phosphate and calcium, make tooth enamel durable and resistant to damage.
As you age though, the levels of minerals in your teeth and mouth can naturally decrease. This process, known as demineralization, can weaken your tooth enamel and even lead to tooth decay. Demineralization and tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, can also occur when bacteria and sugar in your mouth create acids that eat away at your tooth enamel.
Other factors, such as eating very hard foods, can crack, chip or otherwise damage your tooth enamel. This is especially true if you have weakened tooth enamel.
Unfortunately, once you have lost your tooth enamel, you cannot get it back. Unlike your bones or other parts of your body, enamel cannot regenerate itself because it does not contain any living cells.
Your body tries to counter the effects of demineralization by replenishing the mouth’s supply of minerals, a process known as remineralization. Saliva plays a major role in remineralization. Produced by salivary glands in your mouth, saliva contains phosphate, calcium and other minerals that naturally strengthen your teeth and cleanse your mouth of common germs. Saliva also makes your mouth a less acidic environment.
Left untreated, demineralization can weaken your tooth enamel and leave you vulnerable to tooth decay. Fortunately, it is possible to strengthen your tooth enamel before tooth decay occurs.
Strengthen Your Tooth Enamel in 6 Easy Steps
1. Learn the signs and symptoms of weakened tooth enamel
Signs and symptoms of weakened tooth enamel include:
Yellow teeth – Healthy tooth enamel is actually translucent, which means it is semi-transparent. Demineralization wears away the translucent enamel layer to expose the underlying layer of dentin, which is white, grey, yellow or off-white. As a result, your teeth start to look more yellow.
Sensitivity – Weakened tooth enamel may cause increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, as the loss of enamel exposes dentin.
Roughness – Early stages of tooth enamel loss can cause roughness, particularly around the edges of your teeth.
2. Brush Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth regularly can help remove the bacteria that lead to demineralization and tooth decay.
3. Use fluoride toothpaste
Using fluoride toothpaste can boost the enamel-saving benefits of brushing. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that makes enamel more resistant to acid. The mineral can also reverse early decay and rev up the speed at which tooth enamel reabsorbs minerals.
4. Cut Out Sugar
Cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugars left in your mouth from sugary foods and drinks. Cutting out sugar can help starve out harmful bacteria. Research shows that the frequency at which you consume sugar matters more than the amount of sugar you eat.
5. Chew sugarless gum
Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, which helps rinse away acid to regulate pH levels. Avoid chewing gum with sugar, of course, as it can actually increase your risk of cavities.
6. Watch what you eat
Healthy foods equal healthy teeth. Some foods provide special enamel-building benefits:
Eat more calcium-rich foods
Calcium helps keep tooth enamel strong. Calcium-rich foods include cheese, yogurt, sardines and salmon, seeds, beans and lentils, almonds, and whey protein.
Get more vitamin D
Eat salmon, milk, orange juice, mushrooms and other foods containing Vitamin D, as this important vitamin works with calcium to strengthen tooth enamel. Take Vitamin D supplements as needed.
Drink more water
Water helps rinse away bacteria, and helps reduce acid and sugars in the mouth. Community water supplies and some types of bottled water also contain fluoride that helps remineralize your tooth enamel.
See your dentist regularly
Check-ups with your dentist are critical for maintaining strong tooth enamel. Your dentist can spot early signs of weakened tooth enamel and tooth decay, provide tips on strengthening your enamel, and help you reduce your risk for developing cavities.
Those taking a type of medication to help prevent bone fractures should pay special attention to taking care of their teeth and gums.
That’s because those on a class of medication called bisphosphonates are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, especially if they have poor oral health, according to a local dentist, Dr. Debbie Saunders, the medical director of the dental oncology program at the Northeast Cancer Centre at Health Sciences North.
Osteonecrosis of the jaw is a rare dental condition in which the jaw bone’s ability to heal is impaired, and may cause a painful wound that does not heal. The affected bone can become infected and die.
Signs and symptoms of the condition include infected or poorly-healing gums, numbness in the jaw or a sensation of heaviness, jaw pain or swelling and exposed bone.
It is treated by maintaining good oral hygiene, removing infected dead bone, controlling pain and treating areas of infection with antibiotics and oral antibiotic mouth rinses.
Bisphosphonates are prescribed in low doses to those with osteoporosis, a disease characterized by bone mass loss, to decrease patients’ risk of fracturing their bones.
However, the medication also has a side-effect of making the jaw bone more susceptible to osteonecrosis.
“That’s just the way it goes with this medication,” Saunders said.
It seems to occur more often after the extraction of teeth or dental cleanings, she said. Patients should tell their dentist they’re on the medication.
Because the dosage for osteoporosis patients is low, the incidence of osteonecrosis of the jaw is only one in 100,000 among this group. Those who have been on the medication for a longer time are at larger risk, Saunders said. The drug is also used in much higher doses to treat cancer. Amongst these patients, the condition occurs in one in 100 patients.
The most important common reason for sticky saliva is dehydration.
When this happens, your body is not taking in enough fluids to replace fluids that are lost. This can happen during intense exercise, from being in the sun too long, during illness including vomiting or diarrhea, or from taking medications like diuretics for blood pressure. Other medications include decongestants, antihistamines, medication for anxiety and depression, blood pressure medication.pain medication, and muscle relaxers.
An illness like a cold or seasonal allergy can cause a stuffy nose. Nasal congestion often forces you to breathe with your mouth open, which can dry your mouth and make your saliva thicker and stickier than usual.
Dry mouth can also come from tobacco and alcohol use or overuse. Alcohol is a diuretic and acts similarly to a medication for that purpose.
Pregnant women experience changes in hormonal levels that can affect salivary production and can cause dry mouth.
Prolonged anxiety can also result in discernible dry mouth.
Some cancer therapies affect the salivary glands from chemotherapy or from radiation therapy. Radiation therapy to the head and neck can disable the salivary glands causing a great deal of dry mouth and discomfort.
There are other less frequent causes of dry mouth which are rarer but can include:
Progressive, terminal motor neuron diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Salivary stones that block salivary ducts. Sjogren syndrome affects your salivary glands and can cause dry mouth or obstructed salivary ducts. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that alters the production of mucus, sweat, and digestive enzymes in the cells.
Home Remedies for Sticky Saliva
First, speak to your doctor or dental professional to determine the cause and recommend the steps you should take. This can prevent more severe problems down the road. There are also a few things you can try at home.
When eating, take small bites, chew your food well, and sipping liquids during meals to moisten the foods and assist with swallowing.
Take frequent sips of water. Suck on ice chips.
Use a room humidifier.
Avoid alcohol, tobacco, hot, spicy, or acidic foods, chewy candies, tough meats, pretzels and chips, and hard raw fruits or vegetables.
Avoid mouthwashes containing alcohol.
Macmillan Cancer Support recommends leaning over a steaming bowl of hot water with a towel over your head to loosen thick saliva.
What are general guidelines for treating thick saliva?
There are many treatments, depending on the cause, which your doctor or dentist can help you to decipher.
There may be medication that can be substituted if dry mouth is a side effect of your current medication.Use over the counter or prescription saliva substitutes.
Avoid tobacco, caffeine, alcohol mouth rinses, alcohol, soft drinks, spicy foods, orange juice, and coffee.Removing dentures before bedtime
Use commercial rinses and toothpastes for dry mouth.
Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of fluid daily while sipping slowly to avoid washing away the saliva you do have.
Sucking on but do not chew ice cubes.
Using a humidifier in your bedroom when you sleep.
Chew thoroughly before you swallow.
Reducing or eliminating sugar consumption and limit salt intake.
Consulting your medical professional for dietary recommendations.
Additional recommendations for people experiencing thick saliva due to radiation or chemo include:
Eat soft or pureed foods as possible and avoiding sticky foods.
Clean your mouth thoroughly before and after every meal with mouth rinse or water.
Consult your doctor about using liquid meal replacements to get adequate nutrition, as well as avoid drying out your mouth.
When to see a doctor
People who are experiencing thick saliva should consult their doctor or dentist to begin the process of pinpointing the root cause.
You could have an infection in your salivary gland if you are experiencing:
An unusual or bad taste in your mouth.
High fever.
More dryness in your mouth than usual..
Intense pain that lasts more than four hours.
Difficulty opening your mouth.
Pain or pressure when eating.
Redness or swelling in your neck and face.
If you have postnasal drip along with thick saliva, contact your doctor if you have:
Fever
Wheezing
Green, yellow, or bloody mucus
Mucus with a strong odor
If you are severely dehydrated, you may require immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:
Lack of sweat production.
Excessive thirst
Rapid breathing
Rapid heart rate
Low blood pressure
Fever
Dark urine
Sunken eyes
Shriveled skin
In all cases, contacting you health professional is the first step to take in changing the downhill course of dry mouth.
Our brain contains thousands of nerves and multiple neural pathways, and sometimes those nerves can encounter abnormalities or injuries that result in chronic conditions. One such condition is trigeminal neuralgia, a painful disorder affecting the trigeminal nerve, which runs through the face and upper jaw area. Since its trademark spasms can be triggered by touching the face, some people first notice the symptoms when brushing their teeth and may mistake it for a dental problem. This condition, however, is considered a neurological issue as opposed to an oral health issue. While there is no cure, pain management methods are available.
Life With Trigeminal Nerve Pain
Neuralgia of the trigeminal nerve creates few to frequent attacks of shooting facial pain that may feel like a burn or an electrical shock. An attack can last for a few seconds or up to two minutes and can affect a person for an hour or more at a time.
A person with facial neuralgia may find daily life difficult. As the condition worsens, eating and speaking can be affected, and even simple facial contact like shaving, flossing, or putting on makeup can trigger a wave of pain. The constant worry about the next episode may lead to depression and other mental health stressors, which are just as necessary to manage as the neuralgia itself.
What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The condition occurs when a blood vessel or tumor presses on the trigeminal nerve. This contact, in turn, puts pressure on the nerve and damages its protective coating. When or why it can come about, that can be due to injury to the nerve from sinus surgery, oral surgery, head trauma, a stroke, or a complication of multiple sclerosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, this kind of neuralgia can affect people of any age but is most common in adults 50 or older and more often affects women.
Trigeminal Neuralgia And Your Teeth
Besides mimicking the teeth or gum pain of a dental problem, this condition might surface as pain in the lips, nose, eyes, or forehead. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity or tooth pain and think it might be trigeminal neuralgia, talk to your dental professional, as these could be signs of something else if you're not experiencing any other symptoms of this condition.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A thorough medical exam and history are required to diagnose trigeminal neuralgia. Once you talk with your dentist and doctor about the problem, they will refer you to a neurologist, who may order an MRI of the head or other imaging to confirm the problem and start creating a treatment plan.
While there is no cure or a treatment that will be effective for every individual, there are pain relief methods your doctor or neurologist may recommend. Nonsurgical treatment is usually the first approach a doctor will take to manage the condition.
Since neuralgia is neuropathic (originating directly from the nerve), the pain associated with it does not respond to ordinary pain relievers or opioids. Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (usually used to reduce seizures), can often minimize pain and attacks. A neurologist may also prescribe a muscle relaxant or other medication to help control facial "shocks."
Surgery and Other Options
Surgeons recommend invasive procedures only after available drug options have been shown not to help a person manage the condition. Surgeons might turn to a minimally-invasive procedure called microvascular decompression, in which a surgeon makes a minor incision behind the ear and places a “pillow” between the nerve and blood vessel that’s putting pressure on it. This procedure has been successful with patients, with over 75% experiencing complete pain relief after a year of surgery.
It may seem strange, but some of the primary invasive surgeries for treating this condition involve damaging the nerve to relieve pain. One of these procedures is called brain stereotactic radiosurgery (Gamma knife), which uses radiation to target the nerve and “damage it,” which relieves pain. Another type of nerve-damaging surgery is called a rhizotomy, where a surgeon damages the nerve fibers to help ease pain through an injection, balloon compression, or thermal lesioning.
The use of Botox, derived from the botulinum toxin, is being investigated as an additional non-surgical option due to its potential to freeze muscles of the face. Research with Botox as a treatment is still ongoing, but a small study published in the journal Medicine shows promising results.
If you have been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, talk to your neurologist about the best options for managing your symptoms. You may also decide to meet with a counselor to address the mental health concerns associated with the condition. No matter your age or stage in life, your treatment team can help you on your way to recovery, so you won’t have to fear any pain when showing off your bright, beautiful smile.
Lie bumps (Transient Lingual Papillitis) are small red or white bumps that appear on the tongue. These bumps can be painful and uncomfortable. Even though they appear quickly, they also typically resolve in several days and often don’t require treatment.
The actual medical name for lie bumps is transient lingual papillitis, but the condition became known as “lie bumps” after the myth that they were caused by telling a lie.
What are the symptoms of lie bumps?
Lie bumps will appear as red or white swollen bumps on the tongue. Some people think they look or feel like pimples. They can be painful, even when you aren’t eating or drinking. Some people experience burning, itching, or tingling sensations on their tongues. Still others have no symptoms or pain aside from the actual bump.
If your lie bumps are accompanied by other symptoms, you may have eruptive lingual papillitis. Eruptive lingual papillitis has the same distinct red or white painful bumps, but it’s possibly caused by a virus. This means it’s contagious. It’s accompanied by swollen glands and fevers and is most common amongst children. It can take up to two weeks to resolve instead of a few days.
Lie bumps are thought to be extremely common, but they’re not well researched. Doctors aren’t entirely sure exactly what causes either type of lie bumps. We do know that they’re more likely to occur in people who eat diets with lots of highly acidic foods (including fruits and vegetables) and sugary foods.
Other possible causes include:
peaks in stress, which can cause an inflammatory response
trauma, even just from biting the tongue
spicy foods
gastrointestinal complications, including constipation
food allergies
How are lie bumps diagnosed?
If you have symptoms of lie bumps that haven’t gone away after a week and the bumps are persistent and painful, you can make an appointment to see your doctor or dentist. Children with recurring and painful lie bumps should see their pediatrician.
Your doctor (or dentist) will examine the bumps and will likely diagnose them on appearance alone. If your doctor is unsure if the bump is a lie bump or from a condition like human papillomavirus, they may take a biopsy to test for a differential diagnosis. To do this, your doctor will likely numb the area with a local anesthetic. They’ll then remove a small section of the bump to test and examine under a microscope.
How are lie bumps treated?
Doctors generally don’t need to do much to treat most cases of transient lingual papillitis.
There are home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments available to reduce your symptoms and help the condition resolve faster. These include:
rinsing and gargling with salt water
brushing your teeth at least twice daily, and using mouthwash to rid the mouth of harmful bacteria
avoiding irritating foods (eating blander, smooth foods may be beneficial)
taking OTC topical treatments like Zilactin, which cover the bumps like a bandage, protecting them from friction that could irritate them further.
What is the outlook for lie bumps?
While lie bumps are painful, they often resolve fairly soon after they appear without any kind of treatment. Home treatments can help them resolve even faster.
If you’re experiencing regularly recurring lie bumps and avoiding suspected triggers isn’t effective, your doctor or dentist can help you determine other treatment plans that may be more effective for you.
We don’t often think about our tongues, but they can actually be a marker of our overall health. The tongue’s appearance can change for many reasons, many of them not too serious. Have you ever noticed bumps on the back of your tongue? Often these bumps are caused by some type of oral infection. Find out what causes these bumps and when they are a cause for concern.
What Are Tongue Bumps?
The tongue is made up of muscles and the surface is covered with a mucous membrane. Typically, small bumps (also known as papillae) cover the surface of the back part of your tongue. Between the papillae are your taste buds that help you taste foods. Usually, these papillae are pretty unnoticeable. But sometimes, they become enlarged and can cause you pain. This can happen for many reasons.
What Are Common Causes of Bumps at the Back of the Tongue and How Can You Treat Them?
Some common reasons why you see large bumps at the back of your tongue include:
Oral thrush. If the inside of your mouth is red and you see white patches on your tongue and inner cheeks, you might have oral thrush. Wiping these patches off can leave red spots that bleed. The good news is that oral thrush is pretty harmless for most people and can be cured with antifungal medicine. However, oral thrush can be more serious for people with lower immunity, such as people experiencing cancer treatment or HIV/AIDS.
Leukoplakia. The primary symptom of this condition is thickened, white patches on your tongue, gums, bottom of the mouth, and the insides of your cheeks. They can’t be scraped off. Chronic irritation from tobacco is often the cause. While leukoplakia patches are usually noncancerous, some do show early signs of cancer. So, if you’re noticing these patches, it’s best to consult with your dentist or doctor as soon as possible.
Cold sores. Also known as fever blisters, these sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and can appear on your lips, inside your cheeks, or on your tongue. They begin as a fluid-filled blister that ruptures after a day or two before starting to heal. The sores usually last around 8-10 days and are highly contagious. Avoid oral contact — like kissing — during this time, and do not share utensils, lip balms, or other items that have touched your mouth. Cold sores usually heal on their own, and though you might be able to speed up the process with antiviral medications or creams, there is no way to get rid of HSV.
Scarlet fever. One of the symptoms of scarlet fever is a red and bumpy (“strawberry”) tongue. It’s usually accompanied by a very red, sore throat, high fever, red skin rash, and the skin in the creases of your underarm, elbow, and groin turning bright red. Scarlet fever most often occurs in children or adults who are in contact with children. Bacteria called group A strep causes this condition, and your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to help get rid of the bacteria.
Oral squamous papilloma. This is a benign mass that appears on the border of the tongue. They are often attributed to the human papillomavirus (HPV). According to a study in the International Journal of Scientific Reports, the best way to remove them is through surgery. They’re also unlikely to recur, except in immunocompromised patients.
Tongue cancer. Rarely, bumps on the tongue can be an indication of oral cancer. However, according to Cedars-Sinai, the lump is most likely to appear on the side of the tongue that touches the teeth. But the lump can appear on any portion of the tongue, and lumps on the base of the tongue are often hard to diagnose until they become larger. Early detection is critical here, so you must make an appointment with your doctor if you notice a lump of any size on your tongue. The lump will need to be biopsied, and your doctor will likely refer you to an oncologist.
If your notice tongue bumps at the back of your mouth, it’s normal to be worried. But the good news is that most bumps on your tongue aren’t a cause for too much concern. That said, if your bumps are large, last for several weeks, or are exceptionally painful, don’t hesitate to get them checked. Your doctor or dentist can help you feel comfortable again in no time!
Maintaining good oral health isn’t just about making sure your smile looks great (although sure, that’s part of it). It’s also about preventing decay, infection and tooth loss that can take a toll on your overall health and wellness too. Restorative dentistry includes all the procedures and treatments aimed at keeping your teeth in top shape so you can avoid problems like uneven bite balance, decay, infection and even issues like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and chronic headaches.
If you have tooth damage, knowing what options you have to repair those problems — and why those repairs are so very necessary — is the first step to getting the right care.
Restorations For Better Oral Health
Just like its name implies, restorative dentistry uses procedures and treatments to help restore your mouth to its normal and healthy state. Restorative dentistry includes options for repairing an array of problems, like:
Pulp damage.
Root damage.
Deep infections.
Broken, cracked or chipped teeth.
Missing teeth.
Plus, not only do restorative procedures “fix” existing damage, but they can help prevent future damage by ensuring your teeth stay strong and healthy.
The Impact Of A Single Cavity
To understand the critical importance of even minor restorations, let’s look at the potential impact an untreated cavity can have on your overall oral health. Cavities are among the most common types of oral health problems. In their early stages (before they reach the deeper pulp portion of the tooth), they usually can be “fixed” with a regular metal amalgam or (ideally) tooth-colored filling. All in all, it’s a pretty simple, straightforward remedy, yet many people postpone having cavities filled; after all, it’s “just” a cavity — how serious can it be to put off treatment for a bit? Actually, it can be very serious. Here’s why.
When you have a cavity, a couple of things happen. First, the decay in your tooth makes it weaker than normal, which means that tooth is less able to stand the strains of biting and chewing. And that means it’s a lot more likely to crack or break. An untreated cavity almost certainly will become worse over time, involving more of your tooth material until the tooth can no longer stand the stresses of normal use. That means that instead of having a simple cavity, you’re now left with a broken tooth or even a missing tooth. If your tooth does fall out, it can wind up weakening the tooth roots of the neighboring teeth, increasing the risk they’ll eventually fall out as well.
What’s more, most cavities cause tooth pain. And if you don’t have the cavity treated, you’re probably going to chew differently, which means your other teeth can become overstressed, making them more prone to cracks, chips and other wear-related damage. Alterations in your chewing pattern can throw off your bite balance, leaving you at risk for jaw pain and TMJ. Worse, the bacteria inside that cavity can eventually make it down to the deeper parts of your tooth, infecting the pulp and the root and eventually spreading into the jaw bone.
Those are just some of the potential risks that can come from leaving a single cavity untreated. For more serious issues, like infected pulp and broken or missing teeth, the risks can be much greater.
Types Of Procedures
Fillings — both metal amalgam and tooth-colored composites — are just one example of restorative procedures. Other procedures include:
Durable porcelain crowns to repair and cover deeply-stained teeth and teeth that are cracked, broken, or badly damaged by decay or trauma.
Root canals to preserve infected or decayed teeth and avoid tooth loss or extraction.
Bridges to replace missing teeth so your appearance, bite balance and function are maintained.
Full and partial dentures to replace some or all of your teeth.
Dental implants, a very popular alternative to bridges and dentures, to replace missing teeth so appearance and function are maintained.
At Sunrise Dental, we use the most advanced materials and state-of-the-art technology to ensure every patient gets the best and most appropriate care for a lifetime of good oral health.
Keep Your Teeth In Top Shape
Going to the dentist rarely makes it to the top of anyone’s “fun things to do today” list. But having problems evaluated and treated in their earliest stages is important for preventing those problems from becoming more serious — and more difficult and costly to fix.
