A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing Dental Cavities
Oral health is a vital aspect encompassing the well-being of teeth, gums, and the entire oral-facial system, influencing our ability to smile, speak, and chew. Among the prevalent diseases impacting oral health are dental cavities (tooth decay), gum (periodontal)...
Can Dentists Prevent Pneumonia?
Your new patient comes in with her caregiver in a wheelchair. She is 83 years old and accompanied by her daughter who is carrying a box of Kleenex. The patient starts coughing and the daughter tells you that she has a history of pneumonia and hands her a tissue. You...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Silent Killer
Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a deadly malignancy disease that primarily affects the oral cavity tissue and accounts for more than 90% of all oral malignancies [1]. OSCC dramatically affects patients’ quality of life, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. The...
Salivary Gland Tumors: Rarity, Risks, and Treatment Insights
Salivary glands are exocrine glands that produce saliva in the oral cavity. The major salivary glands are parotid, submandibular, and sublingual. The minor salivary glands line the oral mucosa and the upper digestive tract. Salivary gland tumors are uncommon. The most...
Self Massage Can Help Ease Chronic Pain
There have been studies that show how massage therapy can help ease some chronic pain conditions. Many people are familiar with the benefits of getting a massage from a trained professional, but only some are familiar with doing self-massage and the benefits it can...
Orofacial Pain Specialists and Solutions
Orofacial pain specialists are dentists who diagnose and treat orofacial pain disorders. Orofacial Pain (OFP) is the latest specialty of dentistry recognized by the National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. In 2020, this...
Measured Brain Activity Signals Chronic Pain Activity
Up until now, those in the medical community have largely had to rely upon a patient's feedback when it comes to the details regarding chronic pain. The information they receive is subjective and potentially hampered if there are any communication limitations. There...
Dental Caries: A Global Health Burden and the Cost of Neglect
Dental Caries remain a significant oral health burden globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.3 billion people worldwide suffer from dental caries in permanent teeth, making it one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. In the United...
Exploring the World of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Radiology
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology is a specialized field in dentistry and pathology that focuses on understanding, identifying, and treating diseases that impact the oral and maxillofacial region. It involves investigating the reasons behind these diseases, how they...
Oral Medicine Specialists for Complex Health Conditions
Oral medicine was recently acknowledged as the 11th ADA-recognized specialty in dentistry. The American Academy of Oral Medicine defines oral medicine as the specialty of dentistry responsible for the oral health care of medically complex patients and for diagnosing...
Breaking Down Barriers: Dentists’ Challenges in Treating Older Adults
With the rapidly increasing number of older adults in the U.S., dentists must question if we are adequately prepared to accommodate these older adults within our practices. Increasing comorbidities and frailty associated with aging for many older adults make it...
A Closer Look at MRONJ: Medications, Risks, and Dental Management
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) occurs when there is damage to the bone that interrupts the nutrient supply or because of a medical condition that reduces bone health (Sedghizadeh, 2009). When the ONJ is associated with medications, it will be referred to as...
HPV Uncovered: Vaccination, Oral Lesions, and Comprehensive Care
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is an infectious disease that can cause lesions in the genital and oropharyngeal areas. It is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. Besides being spread horizontally between individuals,...
White Oral Lesions that Need Your Attention
White lesions, also known as "white patches," in the oral cavity refer to abnormal areas of the oral mucosa that have a white or whitish appearance. They may present as patches or plaques on the soft tissues inside the mouth. White lesions can arise from various...
Blood Lead Levels and the Connection to Chronic Pain
Most know that things like lead pipes and paint in the home can be dangerous. This is because lead gets into our bodies, and it can have a damaging effect on everything from our nervous system to our immune system. Researchers set out to see if having higher blood...
Does Metformin Help With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 37 million Americans have diabetes, with up to 95% of them having type 2 diabetes [1]. Many of them take the prescription drug metformin to help control the condition. Metformin has been found to have...
Unmasking Excessive Facial Sweating
Facial sweat is a natural bodily response that helps regulate body temperature and maintain overall health. However, excessive facial sweating can be a source of concern for many individuals, leading to discomfort, embarrassment, and self-consciousness. Some causes of...
Exploring Carotidynia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
In 1927, Fay described a painful condition over the common carotid bifurcation, without any structural abnormality. The condition was described as Fay’s Syndrome or Idiopathic Carotidynia. The pain is located in the anterior part of the neck, over the bifurcation of...
Mandibular Advancement Devices for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by upper airway collapse during sleep. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard treatment, but its efficacy is hindered by low compliance. Oral appliances, specifically...
Unraveling Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Review of Diagnosis and Treatments
Burning mouth syndrome [BMS] is a chronic and challenging orofacial pain syndrome characterized by a persistent burning sensation in the oral mucosa, in the absence of specific oral lesions. It predominantly affects middle-aged and elderly women, often associated with...
Adolescents With Chronic Pain May Benefit From Peer Support Group
When people experience chronic pain it can make them feel isolated. They think others don't understand, and they are constantly having to try and explain the situation. Many adolescents who experience chronic pain feel like this, longing to interact with others their...
Can Physiotherapy Help Music Students With Chronic Pain?
Most people enjoy listening to music. Little do they know that what brings them comfort often leads to chronic pain for the musician who created it. Musicians experiencing chronic pain is common, which led researchers to put physiotherapy to the test to see if it...
Considering Virtual Reality as a Chronic Pain Tool
We are learning more about virtual reality (VR) in various areas of our lives, and now it's being considered for help with addressing pain. Those who suffer from chronic pain need all the tools they can get to try and find relief. The more tools they can turn to, the...
Pain Management is Different for People With a Certain Hair Color
It's estimated that natural redheads make up around 2% of the world's population. When many people think of those with natural red hair, they picture someone who is quick-tempered and fiery in personality. What they may not realize is that their hair color plays a...