Author: Dr Susan Pan, DDS

Night guards are protective devices worn at night to prevent teeth grinding or clenching.

A bridge replaces missing teeth by anchoring to adjacent teeth, while an implant replaces a tooth root and requires a crown on top.

Rinse with warm salt water, use a cold compress, take over-the-counter pain relievers, and avoid certain foods. However, see a dentist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Rinse your mouth, floss to remove debris, take over-the-counter pain relievers, and see a dentist as soon as possible.

Reasons include severe decay, infection, crowding, gum disease, or if it’s damaged beyond repair.

Causes include poor oral hygiene, certain foods, dry mouth, smoking, dental issues, or systemic diseases like diabetes or gastrointestinal disorders.

They can be taken inside the mouth (intraoral) or outside (extraoral), using a small film or sensor and a controlled burst of X-ray radiation.

Use a nightguard, manage stress, practice relaxation techniques, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and see a dentist for treatment options.

They might be impacted, cause crowding, be at risk for infections or cysts, or might not erupt properly due to lack of space.

It increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, mouth sores, and fungal infections, and can cause difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and wearing dentures.

Treatments vary from non-surgical therapies like cleaning to surgical treatments like flap surgery or bone and tissue grafts.