Author: Dr Susan Pan, DDS

Through visual inspection, palpation, using specialized lights, or dyes, and if suspicious, a biopsy is taken for definitive diagnosis.

Due to cavities, gum disease, impacted teeth, infections, tooth fractures, or conditions like sinusitis or temporomandibular joint disorders.

Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, brushing too hard, or using a toothbrush with hard bristles. If it persists, see a dentist.

It increases the risk of gum disease, tooth loss, oral cancer, and can cause bad breath and tooth staining.

Brush and floss regularly, have professional cleanings, eat a balanced diet, avoid tobacco, and manage conditions like diabetes.

Practice good oral hygiene, consider dental procedures like scaling and root planing, surgical grafts, or using specifically designed toothbrushes or toothpaste.

Protective plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, preventing food and bacteria from getting trapped and causing cavities.

They can lead to chipped teeth, gum damage, infection, and interfere with speech, chewing, or swallowing.

They study the causes, processes, and effects of oral diseases, providing diagnoses and suggesting treatments.

Hold it by the crown, rinse with milk or saline, try to reinsert it, if not possible, keep it moist in milk/saline, and see a dentist ASAP.

Brush and floss regularly, avoid hard or sticky foods, wear mouthguards if needed, and see your orthodontist for regular adjustments.

If not removed, plaque hardens into tartar, causing gum inflammation (gingivitis). Without treatment, it can progress to periodontitis, affecting the bone.