Pain in the mouth is common and can affect the entire mouth in which case it is referred to as stomatodynia or only certain parts like the tongue, cheeks or palate. While the causes of pain in certain parts of the mouth may be overlap, sometimes there are specific causes that only affect a single area. A sore palate refers >> Read More ...
We all develop a furry type of white coating on our tongue by the end of the day. This is considered normal and is largely composed of food particles, bacteria and saliva. It is easily remove by brushing of the tongue to reveal the underlying pink color of a healthy tongue. However, there are cases where coating of the >> Read More ...
As strong as teeth are, it is by no means indestructible. A cracked, chipped or even broken tooth are common dental injuries. These type of injuries are not always considered to be a dental emergency and it may not be necessary to have the tooth extracted. It depends on the severity of the injury and the promptness of >> Read More ...
Saliva has several functions. It moisturizes the mouth cavity, lubricates the movement of food around the mouth and down the throat, and also contains enzymes that aid with digestion. We do not give saliva much thought unless there are problems like too much or too little of it. The latter can cause a host of symptoms >> Read More ...
The tongue is one of the more sensitive organs in the human body. It is laden with receptors for touch and taste which allows it to complete its relevant functions. The tissue of the tongue does not have the same hard protein covering of the skin. However, the tongue is often exposed to many environmental factors when we >> Read More ...
The lining of the mouth cavity is prone to quick drying for several reasons. It is exposed to the external environment when the mouth is opened, subjected to moving air when breathing through the mouth or talking and it does not have a waterproof layer like the skin to prevent moisture loss. However, the body has >> Read More ...
The lower jaw, known as the mandible, moves by the contraction and relaxation of muscles. It is only the mandible that moves when eating or talking and not the upper jaw (maxilla) which is part of the skull. As with muscles anywhere in the body, these jaw muscles can become stiff and sore at times, affect the movement of >> Read More ...
At some point or the other in life, we all tend to eat or drink something that is too hot for our mouth to bear. Even if the temperature is not high enough to cause serious injury, it does cause some degree of irritation that leaves a lingering burnt feeling in the mouth. In these instances we understand that this burnt >> Read More ...
Eating is essential for maintaining life and we barely give the processes behind it much thought. The two main processes prior to digestion is chewing and swallowing which ensure that food is mechanically broken down and then pushed further into the gut for digestion and absorption of nutrients. However, there are >> Read More ...
A slightly foul mouth odor in the morning is common for most people, even if they brush at night. With proper dental hygiene after waking, the odor quickly goes away. However, some people suffer with persistent bad breath. Brushing, flossing and rinsing with a mouth wash offers only momentary relief, if any. Even mouth >> Read More ...
