HealthyLife Articles

Category: Dental & Mouth Concerns

Don’t Pull That Tooth

Dental & Mouth Concerns

At one time, dentists had no choice but to extract an infected tooth. Pulling an infected tooth solved one problem but led to others-poor appearance, change in bite, difficulty chewing food, and less support for adjacent teeth. But tooth extraction is rarely necessary now, thanks to a procedure known as root canal. The dentist (or more likely a specialist known as an endodontist) removes the injured and diseased dental pulp (the inner core that contains nerves, blood vessels, and other tooth tissues) but leaves the tooth intact.

If you’re told you need root canal therapy, be sure to let your dentist or endodontist know if you have a heart murmur, history of rheumatic heart disease, or mitral valve prolapse. If so, you may need to take an antibiotic before undergoing this procedure.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Dry Mouth

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Dry mouth is an abnormal dryness of the mucus membranes in the mouth. This happens when there isn’t enough saliva or the composition of the saliva changes. Dry mouth is common in the elderly.

Signs & Symptoms

* Dry, parched feeling in the mouth

* Lack of saliva

* Problems with talking and/or swallowing

* Lessened taste

* Bad breath

* Burning sensation in the mouth

* Dry mouth is worse after sleeping

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

Dry mouth can be due to a side effect of many medications. These include antidepressants, antihistamines, water pills, and medicines for high blood pressure.

Dry mouth can also result from many health conditions. These include nasal congestion, gum disease, diabetes, stroke, and Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder.

Treatment is aimed at relief and/or treating the underlying cause. If not treated, dry mouth may lead to severe tooth decay, infection, and poor nutrition.

Self-Care

* Try an over-the-counter artificial saliva, such as Xerolube.

* Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

* Have regular dental checkups.

* Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Avoid drinks with sugar.

* Avoid salty, spicy, or acidic foods.

* Don’t use tobacco products.

* Take a multivitamin that your doc- tor recommends.

* Use a humidifier in the bedroom.

* Keep your lips moist with lip balm.

* Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.

* Do not use mouthwashes with alcohol.

* Read about the side effects of medicines.

Medical Care

Contact Doctor When:

* The dry mouth is a chronic problem or there are marked changes on the tongue.

* You have any of these problems with dry mouth:

– Dry, burning eyes

– Chewing or swallowing problems

– Sore throat

– Signs of an infection, such as fever and/or redness, or pus in the mouth

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Foods That Fight Cavities

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Now you know how sticky sweets promote tooth decay. What you may not realize is that some foods prevent tooth decay. Research studies show that certain foods, like cheese and peanut butter, counteract the acids in the mouth that wear down the tooth enamel. (Be careful to buy plain, all-natural peanut butter, without added sugar of any kind.) Other tooth-saving foods include:

* Nuts and seeds.

* Meat, fish, poultry, and eggs.

* Olives and dill pickles.

* Milk, plain yogurt, and cheese.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fractured Jaw

Dental & Mouth Concerns

A fractured (or broken) jaw is when the jaw bone breaks.

Signs & Symptoms

* Jaw and/or facial pain, swelling, or numbness.

* Not being able to open or close the mouth normally.

* Bleeding from the mouth.

* Having a hard time drinking, speaking, and swallowing.

* Drooling.

* The jaw area is bruised or discolored.

* Teeth are loose or damaged.

* The jaw area is tender to touch.

Causes

Most often, the cause is trauma from a blow to the face, such as from a car accident, sports injury, assault, etc. Osteoporosis can also be the cause.

Treatment

A fractured jaw needs emergency medical care.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

First Aid Before Medical Care

* Gently align the jaws. Do not use force.

* Try not to talk. Write notes instead.

* Close your mouth and secure the jaw with a necktie, towel, or scarf tied around your head and chin. Remove this if vomiting occurs. Tie it back when vomiting stops. If you don’t have anything to tie the jaw with, keep it from moving by holding the jaw gently with your hands.

* Hold an ice pack on the fractured bone to reduce pain and swelling.

Self-Care after Jaw Surgery

* Follow post-operative instructions from your doctor.

* Remove elastic bands if you are choking on food or need to vomit. Go to the dentist to replace the elastic bands.

To Help Prevent a Fractured Jaw

* Wear a seat belt whenever you ride in a car, etc.

* Wear protective gear, as needed, for boxing, football, etc.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Gum (Periodontal) Disease

Dental & Mouth Concerns

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

Gum (periodontal) diseases include:

Gingivitis. The gums are swollen due to bacteria from plaque and tartar on the teeth. With gingivitis, the gums are red and bleed easily.

Periodontitis. This is swelling around the tooth. It occurs when gingivitis is not treated. With periodontitis, pockets form between the gums and teeth. These expose teeth at the gum line. When left untreated, plaque grows below the gum line. Gums, bones, and connective tissue that support the teeth are destroyed. This can cause permanent teeth to separate from each other and loosen. Teeth may even need to be removed.

Treatment

Gum disease should be treated by a periodontist or a dentist who treats this problem. Material called tartar can form, even when normal brushing and flossing are done. The dentist or dental hygienist can remove tartar on a regular basis. Treatment may also include:

* Deep cleaning (scaling and root planing).

* Medications.

* Surgical treatments. These include flap surgery and bone and tissue grafts.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* See your dentist as often as advised. Follow his or her advice for medication, teeth brushing and flossing and using other dental instruments.

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit.

* Eat a balanced diet.

* Limit sugary foods. When you eat sweets, do so with meals, not in between meals. Finish a meal with cheese. This tends to neutralize acids that form.

* Include foods with good sources of vitamin A and vitamin C daily. Vitamin A is found in cantaloupe, broccoli, spinach, winter squash, and dairy products fortified with vitamin A. Good sources of vitamin C are oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, and broccoli.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026