Mouth Problems: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

Mouth problems will make it hard to eat, drink , and smile. Our mouth is one of the most important parts of our body.

 

Mouth Problems: Cold Sores

Also called fever blisters, are a top mouth problem and can be triggered by fevers. The virus that causes cold sores is usually passed via a kiss, shared utensils, or other close contact. Creams and ointments may initially help reduce discomfort and speed up healing, but frequent sores may also require antibiotics. Other mouth illnesses include canker sores, bad breath, and mouth cancer.

Thrush

Caused by candida yeast, thrush is most common in senior citizens and babies. A weakened immune system, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and diabetes, can spur candida to grow quickly. Wiping away the patches will cause soreness. Call your doctor for treatment.

 

Black Hairy Tongue

This painless condition occurs when the little bumps on your tongue grow long and trap bacteria that live in your mouth — making the tongue look black and hairy. Causes can include antibiotic use, poor oral hygiene, smoking, drinking a lot of tea or coffee, and not producing enough saliva. Brushing the tongue and using a tongue scraper is usually all you need to treat it, though sometimes medication is necessary.

Canker Sores

The cause of  these small, painful blisters inside your mouth is unknown. Triggers include hypersensitivity, infection, hormones, stress, and vitamin deficiency. Also called aphthous ulcers, canker sores can show up on the tongue, cheek, and even gums. They usually last a week or two. Persistent, severe canker sores can be treated with numbing creams, prescription drugs, or dental lasers.

Oral Cancer

This is mouth sore that causes numbness in the face, mouth, or neck. Symptoms include chewing, speaking and swallowing. Furthermore, its causes can include smoking, smokeless tobacco, drinking heavily, overexposure to the sun, and a family history of cancer. Oral cancer has also been linked to the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Oral cancer that is caught early is curable.

Gum Disease

When periodontal (gum) disease develops, bacteria in plaque accumulate along the gum line. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease. Symptoms include red, puffy, and bleeding gums. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent periodontal disease. Smoking, poor diet, and stress will make it worse.

Mouth Problems: Periodontitis

The advanced stage of gum disease is periodontitis, or gum infection. Increased inflammation causes the gums to recede, forming pockets between the teeth and gums. These pockets trap tartar, plaque, and food debris that eventually lead to infection and abscesses. Periodontitis is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Seek treatment.

Mouth Problems: Cavities, Abscesses, Discoloration

Flossing, brushing, and rinsing daily and regular dental checkups help prevent problems like cavities, abscesses, and tooth discoloration. Don’t mess around with a severe toothache. Dental infections can spread to the face, skull, and even to the bloodstream. See your dentist as soon as possible if your tooth aches or if you have a fever, earache, or pain when you open your mouth wide.

Bad Breath

Unbrushed teeth have food particles around them that promote bacteria and cause bad breath. Persistent bad breath may be from continuous breathing through your mouth, dry mouth, tooth decay, or a sign of gum disease. Fight bad breath by brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing, and rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash daily. Drink plenty of drinking water. See your dentist if bad breath persists.

 

Conclusion

Mouth problems can be avoided and controlled with correct oral hygiene and nutrition. Watch this very informative video on mouth problems: