ADULT ORTHODONTICS
Brushing and flossing are the foundation of a good oral hygiene routine, but mouthwash can also be a useful addition...
SELECTING DENTAL PRODUCTS
The toothbrush has come a long way. As the American Dental Association (ADA) notes...
Oral piercings are any piercings of the tongue, lips or cheek. In recent years, oral piercings have become a form of self-expression. As with pierced ears, the metal jewelry used in oral piercings comes in different styles, including studs, barbells and rings. However, piercing your tongue, lips or cheek involves greater health risks than piercing your ears. Before having any part of your mouth pierced, you should seek advice from your dentist.
You may not be aware of the potential side effects of oral piercings. These include:
As long as your mouth stays free of infection and your oral piercings do not interfere with normal function, they can stay in your mouth indefinitely. Just be sure to see your dentist at the first sign of pain or problems, in addition to your regular checkups. Because of the risks involved even after the initial wound has healed, such as damage to the teeth or jewelry that becomes loose and gets ingested, your safest bet is to avoid oral piercings altogether.
If you notice anything strange in your mouth, such as a gum boil or a bump that looks like a pimple, it's a good idea to have it checked out by a dentist.
Tonsil stones, clinically called tonsilloliths, are small, white discharges that form in the crevices of the tonsils. They are typically found on the surfaces of the pharyngeal tonsils on either side at the back of the throat. They can be as small as a grain of rice or as large as a pea. They are quite common and usually harmless, but they may spark alarm in patients when noticed for the first time.
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