There are a variety of causes as well as risk factors for TMD. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 have higher incidences of TMD. Being under stress is a risk factor, as it may lead to jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Physical problems, like poorly aligned teeth, arthritis of the jaw, a dislocated jaw, or an inflamed temporomandibular joint will increase the risk of developing TMD. Dentures that fit poorly also increase the risk.
Tooth & Mouth Disorders
An encyclopedia could be written on the various disorders of the mouth and teeth. Except for injuries, and fractured teeth, many of these problems can be helped by good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing.
Smoking is often implicated in mouth problems like bad breath and dry mouth, and other problems may be side effects of medications.
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RealAge answeredSmooth tongue occurs when the normal bumps on the tongue (papillae) are no longer visible. This is often a symptom of tongue inflammation, called glossitis. Glossitis can be caused by many health conditions, including yeast infections, vitamin deficiencies, anemia, Sjogren syndrome, hormonal issues, some skin diseases and some medications. It can also be due to irritating chemicals, such as tobacco, mouthwash, alcohol or irritating foods. Symptoms of glossitis include tongue pain and swelling. -
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American Dental Association answeredSchedule an appointment with your dentist if you notice any change in your mouth, including pain or discomfort, or the presence of sores in the mouth, even if they are not painful. A biopsy (tissue sample taken for testing) usually can determine the cause or rule out another disease. Your dentist can recognize and often diagnose the type of mouth sore or spot on the basis of its appearance and location. -
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 2 AnswersSoft-tissue graft surgery (called gingival or gum grafts) helps create more attached gum to prevent gum recession from progressing and to help regenerate and re-establish root coverage.
During a tissue graft, the dentist removes a thin piece of gum tissue from the roof of the patient's mouth or another site in the mouth and grafts it to the site where the gum tissue has receded. In some cases, freeze-dried tissue products or synthetic membranes may be used.
Tissue grafts may be performed around one or more teeth. Creating gum tissue reduces the likelihood of further recession, helps cover exposed roots, enhances the appearance of the gum line and prevents or treats root sensitivity. -
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American Dental Association answeredOne of the main causes of gum recession is an irregular or abnormal tooth position. A tooth may protrude because it was crowded when permanent teeth began to push through the gums. As a result, inadequate jaw bone covers the tooth's root. The condition sometimes is noticeable by age 10 years.
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American Dental Association answeredSome medications have been linked to the development of oral sores, inflammation or discoloration of the soft tissues in the mouth. These medications include those prescribed for blood pressure control, immunosuppressive agents, oral contraceptives and some chemotherapeutic agents.
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Shari Green , Dental Hygiene, answeredJust the facts... Ankyloglossia is congenital in nature. The exact cause is currently unknown. Current research is exploring the exact genetic component of ankyloglossia. Prevalence is between 4-5%, and it is more common in males, vs. females. (Klockars-2007).
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American Dental Association answeredSee All 3 AnswersWhen a person has Ankyloglossia it means they have limited movement of the tongue. That's because part of the tongue may be fused to the floor of the mouth. This is sometimes referred to a "tongue tied".
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Shari Green , Dental Hygiene, answeredThe restrictive nature of tongue tie tends to open up a myriad of potential difficulties due to challenged mobility of the tongue. As an analogy, think of a wrestler "pinned to the mat" and trying to get up and fight...
For example, most children age 4-6 swallow with a vertically based, elevated swallow. In a "mature" swallow, the tongue ordinarily elevates to the roof in a wave pattern, creating a fulcrum against the hard palate in a coordinated fashion. This is difficult to replicate in children with tongue tie, as the tongue tends to remain "pinned", i.e., low postured, and tends to "thrust" into the floor of the mouth, or to one (unilaterally) or both sides (bilaterally) when it is time to swallow.
Usually, the tongue rests elevated within the hard palate. This may be challenged in the child with ankyloglossia. One can see how this might also lead to speech concerns, as many speech sounds tend to be vertically based. A "pinned" tongue is not conducive for this natural pattern of vertically based speech to occur with ease.
A low postured tongue may contribute to inefficient gathering of saliva, and compensatory patterns of both gathering and swallowing saliva may result. This may lead to saliva pooling in the mouth. Researchers are also beginning to explore any potential impact a low postured tongue may possibly have on jaw growth and development in children.
Chewing may be difficult as the bolus of food is often "rocked" side to side, rather than being lateralized by the tongue. The head is often "tipped" side to side in an attempt to compensate and move food laterally. Unfortunately, many children with tongue tie have difficulty with social aspects due to these potential speech, food, or saliva gathering concerns.
Self-cleaning of the teeth may be difficult due to lack of tongue mobility laterally, which may lead to retained food particles in the mouth, which some dental experts feel may lead to increased tooth decay.
The issues of tongue thrust and low rest posture that some children with ankyloglossia experience may be addressed with orofacial myofunctional therapy, and speech concerns can be duly addressed by a speech pathologist, but only in the presence of a mobile tongue. Thus, the ability to most expediently treat these compensatory concerns successfully rests on the ability of the tongue to be free of its' physical restrictions. Fortunately pediatricians and dentists are excellent resources to discuss these concerns with. -
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The symptoms of an oral health infection depend on the type of oral health problem. Problems can range from tooth decay to periodontal (gum) disease. If you are concerned about your oral health you should speak with your dentist. They will be able to diagnose and discuss possible treatments. The best treatment for oral health problems is always preventative care. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and scheduling regular dental checkups can help to prevent most oral health problems.