Although your tongue is not a big part of your body, it has got some crucial responsibilities. For instance, speaking and eating will not be easy without your tongue. The state of your tongue also dictates your ability to breathe. It also contributes to how your breath smells.
Having that said, some conditions can affect the ability of your tongue to do its job. There are many forms of tongue disease. Initially, it may seem like an infection, but there are some underlying reasons behind it.
Since tongue problems can be of many forms, the symptoms also vary with every condition. One of the most common signs is a pain in the area. Sometimes, a tongue condition can result in an affected ability to taste foods. Some tongue conditions can result in swelling or change of color or texture of the tongue. Some forms of tongue problem can result in difficulty moving the tongue. The most common sign of tongue problem is bad breath.
Problems in the tongue can occur due to many reasons. Determining the cause of tongue disease helps your know how long the tongue disorder lasts and how easily you can treat it. For instance, you can treat bacterial or fungal infections in your tongue with antibiotics or antifungal medicines. Tongue anemia and other tongue infections caused by nutritional deficiency clear up when you resolve that deficiency. Other reasons for tongue disorders include nerve damage, cancer, dietary choices, autoimmune disorders, trauma, and hormonal changes.
Thrush: It is a yeast infection that results in the development of white patches on the tongue.
Burning mouth syndrome: This condition results in the same sensation as it sounds. Its exact reason, however, is not yet known. Experts suggest that it may be due to nerve damage, nutritional deficiencies, allergies, or hormonal changes.
Black hairy tongue: This problem is more of a cosmetic one rather than medical. The reason your tongue may appear like having black hair is the presence of dead cells on its surface, resulting in the formation of a black-colored buildup. This issue may be a side-effect of an antibiotic course or the intake of soft foods that do not scrub the tongue surface.
Oral cancer: Some cancers develop on the tongue. Its symptoms usually include pain and change of color on the cancer site.
Glossitis: This condition results in swelling on the tongue. In some cases, this problem may be a sign of another tongue problem, such as thrush. An example of glossitis is the geographic tongue, which refers to the formation of map-like patterns.
Treatment of tongue disease will depend on the underlying reason. In most cases, tongue problems can be addressed with antifungal medication. If the problem is due to nutritional deficiency, taking a more balanced diet can treat the issue. Burning mouth syndrome can also be addressed by correcting the nutritional problem. Improving oral hygiene can remedy black hairy tongue. In simple words, treating the root cause of the problem is the best way to get rid of symptoms.
How To Prevent And Stop Canker Sores
Canker sores can be so frustrating to deal with at times. There have been times in my life where I have gone months without a single canker sore in my mouth, and other times where it feels like I find two new ones every week. Canker sores are an awful thing to deal with because they aren’t just mildly uncomfortable - they actually hurt really bad! Some people may say that I just have a low pain tolerance or something like that if I think that canker sores hurt, but I really do feel like they are one of the more painful things that can happen to your mouth. Of course, not a lot is known about canker sores to tell you the truth. This simple fact is somewhat surprising to me, especially because of all the medical advancements that have been made in our world. For example, we now have a consistent way of treating cancer from which some people can make a full recovery from now; however, you are telling me that all our best scientists and medical experts can’t figure out the reason behind a dumb old canker sore? That’s a load of bologna if you ask me. Perhaps, since canker sores are not life-threatening nor extremely common among many people, there has just not been the same amount of resources dumped into research compared to something like cancer.
If you ask me, taking care of canker sores as soon as they come up should be your number one priority. I know that fighting with canker sores has been a constant battle in my life, and maybe that is why I take such good care of my mouth in general. Seriously, everytime I go to the dentist and sit down in the dentists’ chair, all the staff can’t help but be amazed at the tip-top shape my mouth is in every single time. The dentist literally can’t believe it - they usually all clap when I go to leave the building. That being said, canker sores are the absolute bane of my existence and I would do absolutely anything I can to be rid of them for good. That is why I have researched a lot of different methods on how to remove canker sores yourself at home. Now, it is worth pointing out that not all of these methods work for everyone. Rather, these at home remedies should just be something that you use if you have had a canker sore that has lasted a long time and won’t go away.
Once I started looking things up online, it was fairly easy to find a bunch of different ways to get rid of canker sores. One of the most common ways was doing a salt water rinse; now I personally don’t love this method of canker sore removal because I hate the way that saltwater tastes and I hate how it feels in my mouth. That being said, it could definitely be something that works for you. Also, who knows? Maybe you will enjoy the feeling of salt water in your mouth. Another method that was talked about in different online articles like this one is using yogurt, since something about the active cultures in yogurt works against the formation of canker sores. This sounds like a load of bologna if you ask me.
Six Things to Know About Cavity Fillings
The most common treatment for a cavity is to have it filled. Cavity fillings are made of materials designed to last for years or decades, depending on the filling material used. A niche is an area inside your tooth where bacteria can grow and lead to tooth decay. A filling helps prevent bacteria from succeeding in this area by blocking off the space where they live. Fortunately, cavities don't always hurt right away - you might not know that you even have one until it's too late! The best way to find out if you have a cavity is through regular dentist visits so they can catch any problems early on before they progress into something more severe like an abscessed tooth or bone loss due to tooth decay.
Here are six things you should know about getting a cavity filled.
1. You Can Feel the Drill, But It Shouldn't Hurt
The most common myth about getting a cavity filled is that you can feel the drill. People think that because they feel a vibration when the dentist drills, it must be painful - not true! Dental tools today are designed to remove the decay and fill up the space as efficiently as possible. The vibration you feel is actually from the sound waves created by the scraping tools used in the procedure.
2. Pain Can Come Long After Your Visit is Over
Some people experience pain after getting a cavity filled. If you experience pain, it may be coming from your sinuses. Don't worry - the dentist isn't causing the pain by putting pressure there, even though it may feel like it. The reason behind the pain is actually due to your sinus cavities being closely linked to your teeth and gums. When your dentist applies the anesthetic to numb the tooth, it may also absorb your sinuses. If that happens, you can experience headache pain up to a day after the procedure.
3. The Quickest Way to Fix It Is Sometimes the Best
If you have a cavity that's too large to fill or you have decay affecting multiple parts of your tooth, filling the crater every day isn't realistic. That's why getting a crown is often the best option for more extensive dental procedures. A height is essentially a cap that goes over your tooth to protect it from further decay and damage.
4. It Doesn't Have to Hurt
Not everyone feels pain when they get a cavity filled - some people don't feel anything. If you have an enormous hole or the dentist has to remove more decay than anticipated, your tooth may be sensitive for a few days after your visit or even for a couple of weeks. But, if you have a tiny cavity, the process may not feel any different than getting a hole filled with a temporary filling.
5. A Cavity Might Not Always Hurt Right Away
Cavities aren't always painful, but that doesn't mean they aren't affecting your tooth and gums. If you have a niche, it may not always be painful to chew with that tooth, but it may cause you to feel pain or pressure when you drink very cold or hot liquids. If you have a cavity, the tip of your tooth may look gray or darker than the rest of your tooth.
6. Anesthesia Will Keep You Comfortable
Even though you shouldn't feel any pain during the cavity filling process, your dentist may offer you anesthesia. The reason behind this is to make sure that you're as comfortable as possible throughout the entire procedure. If you want to be numbed, your dentist will give you a shot of Novocain to numb the tooth and surrounding area.