List of oral health and dental topics

List of Oral Health and Dental Topics

Oral health and dental care encompass a wide range of topics related to the mouth, teeth, gums, and related structures. This list aims to provide an overview of the various subjects within this field, including diseases, treatments, preventive measures, and the professionals involved in dental care. Understanding these topics is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and overall health.

Diseases and Conditions

• Dental Caries: Also known as tooth decay or cavities, this is the destruction of tooth enamel caused by bacteria in the mouth.
• Periodontal Disease: A serious gum infection that damages gums and can destroy the jawbone if left untreated.
• Oral Cancer: A type of cancer that can affect any part of the mouth or oropharynx.
• Halitosis: Commonly known as bad breath, it can be a sign of underlying dental or health issues.
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD): Conditions affecting the jaw joint and chewing muscles.
• Dental Abscess: A collection of pus that can form inside the teeth, in the gums, or in the bone that holds the teeth in place.
• Xerostomia: Dry mouth syndrome caused by a lack of saliva.

Preventive Care and Hygiene

• Tooth Brushing: The act of cleaning teeth with a toothbrush to remove plaque and prevent cavities.
• Flossing: The use of dental floss to remove food and dental plaque from between teeth where a toothbrush is unable to reach.
• Dental Check-Up: Regular visits to a dentist for examination and cleaning to maintain oral health.
• Fluoride Therapy: The use of fluoride to prevent tooth decay, which can be applied via toothpaste, water, or professional treatments.

Treatments and Procedures

• Dental Fillings: Materials used to restore the function, integrity, and morphology of missing tooth structure.
• Root Canal Therapy: A treatment to remove infection from the root canal of a tooth, aiming to save the tooth from extraction.
• Dental Implants: Artificial tooth roots used to support a restoration for a missing tooth or teeth, helping to prevent or stop jaw bone loss.
• Orthodontics: A branch of dentistry that deals with the correction of teeth and jaws that are positioned improperly.
• Teeth Whitening: Cosmetic dental procedures to lighten teeth and remove stains and discoloration.

Professionals

• Dentist: A healthcare professional specializing in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of oral diseases and conditions.
• Dental Hygienist: A licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: Specialists in surgery of the face, mouth, and jaws.
• Orthodontist: Dentists specialized in the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws.
• Periodontist: Dentists who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants.

See Also

• Dental Education
• History of Dentistry
• Dental Insurance