Mouth Malfunctions

When something is critically important to our every day survival, it’s always best if it’s functioning optimally. Take our mouths, for example. It’s amazing the variety of different things that can and do go wrong with something so seemingly simple (including occasionally putting our foot in them!).

Here are a few of our most popular blogs on mouth malfunctions, from the mundane (canker sores) to the wild (burning mouth syndrome). Canker vs. Cold Sores What is the difference between a canker sore and a cold sore? A cold sore is a virus that starts as a tingling spot on the outside of the lip or nose and develops into a cluster of blister-like sores. A canker sore is a painful, round, red, crater-like sore inside the mouth that hurts when we eat or brush. Both sores can last for 7-10 days. (Read on…) Beat Bad Breath! It’s embarrassing and difficult to even talk about for many, but bad breath, also known as halitosis, is really quite common. In fact, it’s thought that as many as 90 million Americans suffer from chronic bad breath. Unfortunately, while it’s something just about everyone has to deal with at some point, chronic bad breath can hurt relationships and even make getting a new job difficult. So what causes bad breath? (Read on…) Aging and Receeding Gums Dental care is important throughout life because we keep our adult teeth for many decades — sometimes a long as 90 years or more! But how exactly does aging affect teeth and what are common problems seen as we age? And what can be done to stop the hands of time from negatively impacting our oral health?

Gum recession occurs when the margin of the gum tissue surrounding the teeth pulls back or wears away. This exposes more of the tooth, which is essentially its root. (Read on…)

Burning Mouth Syndrome — What Is it? Burning mouth syndrome is exactly what it sounds like — a painful, even debilitating burning or scalding sensation with spontaneous onset affecting the soft tissues of the mouth. This can include the tongue, lips, inside cheek area, gums, and roof of the mouth. Burning mouth syndrome affects less than 1% of the population and is most common in middle-aged women. Burning mouth syndrome can make even simple daily activities such as talking and eating extremely difficult. (Read on…) Treating Stomatitis (Mouth Soreness and Inflammation) Stomatitis is a general term for any inflammation of the mouth. The inflammation can involve any of the mouth’s structures, including lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, throat, or roof/floor of the mouth.

Pain and soreness that often interferes with common daily activities such as eating, sleeping, and talking are all common symptoms. Depending on the type of stomatitis that is creating the inflammation, symptoms can last from 5-10 days, tend to recur, and are even at times associated with cold or flu-like symptoms. (Read on…)

If you have questions about the above conditions, we are always happy to discuss any dental issues with our patients. Just give our Ann Arbor dental practice a call at 734-677-2156 for more information, or to schedule a consultation.