Apparently, this condition is signaled by “phantom pain”, as patients may call it, because they can see in the mirror that their teeth are perfectly fine and have no visible cracks or sills. But by a more precise inspection (via X-rays), the dentist could see multiple cracks on the surface of the teeth, which cannot be seen by the naked eye. Diagnosis of cracked tooth syndrome may prove to be difficult on the part of the dentist, since he will rely on sharp tools, like an “explorer” to probe your teeth for any irregularities. Also note that an X-ray, in some cases, does not reveal any minuscule cracks because they may be microscopic. The dentist may use another instrument, which is similar to a toothbrush—only without the bristles—and make you bite it down. If you feel any sharp pain when biting the instrument, there may be a crack affecting your tooth. Normally, the molars are the most prone to cracks and sills, but that does not leave the incisors, canine and the bicuspids out of the equation. Surely enough, the dentist will pinpoint the cause of pain.

Other methods of finding the crack, other than those mentioned above, is by using fiber-optic light on the tooth or by blotting it with a special dye to look for any hairline cracks. In line with these procedures, your teeth will have to be thoroughly brushed to expose the surface of the tooth. Cracks, as mentioned may affect different parts of the tooth. The palatal, distal, mesial, occlusal, cusp, buccal, furcation, and the groove are the different surfaces of the tooth that can be cracked.

Sometimes cracks extend to the innermost portion of the tooth – either the dentin or the pulp. This can make the treatment a bit more complicated, since the dentist will be dealing with a sensitive portion of the tooth. There is also the possibility of undergoing root canal if the crack has extended into the nerves of the tooth. Superficial cracks, however, are likely to be resolved using composite fillings. Multiple cracks on one tooth can call for a crown installation.

The pain, in some cases, cannot be entirely relieved. Neighboring teeth can also be affected by cracked tooth syndrome. It is imperative that you request a thorough examination of your teeth, as well as pinpointing all the places of your teeth that feel pain.

Men have been historically more prone to oral cancer than women primarily because certain vices like excessive drinking and smoking are known causes of oral cancer. Oral cancer, like many cancers can be detected early by knowledge of the symptoms associated with it. Dental check-ups are also imperative since it will require an oral health professional’s diagnosis if the case really is cancer.

Symptoms of oral cancer include:

1. A sore that on the lips, gums or inside of the mouth that doesn’t seem to heal and has been there for quite some time.
2. A small, hard (but sometimes soft) lump or mass on the cheek that seems to growing at a fast rate.
3. Prolonged and unexplained swelling of the jaw.
4. A gradual discomfort while wearing dentures or any dental appliances. This may imply lip or oral cavity cancer.
5. Noticeable white or red patches on the lips, gums, tongue or other areas of the mouth. Be sure to thoroughly outlying areas of the mouth.
6. Discomfort when swallowing food or drinking fluids – a similar feeling to when something gets stuck in your throat.
7. Weight loss, which has no association with your eating habits.

If you have been suffering from any of these symptoms, it is better to see a dentist to get a clear diagnosis of your present condition. Be sure to tell your dentist in detail what food and fluids you have been ingesting on a regular basis. Be honest, especially if the dentist asks you if you ever had oral sex. Women often lie their way out of this question. The human papilloma virus (HPV) can easily be transmitted through saliva and ironically, the mouth is the only place where saliva is produced. If the dentist finds grounds to schedule a biopsy, comply.

Oral cancer is usually detected on people ages 45 and older. People with a ripe age of 60 and above are often at the risk of advanced stages of oral cancer. Genetic predisposition and long-winding ancestry can also pave the way for one to acquire oral cancer. Ethnicity too is deemed as a factor – as African American males are statistically more prone to oral cancer than Caucasians and Hispanics.

Symptoms of oral cancer are often overlooked by most people, which may lead the way for later detection of a higher stage of the disease. Once detected at its early stages, one can be immediately medicated and operated for removal of any cancerous lump or other precursors of oral cancer.

But we can’t blame people though. Even at its earliest stage, oral cancer is still hard to detect, and swelling and pain are more likely only be felt by the patient only at a later point in life. There are different types of oral cancers, and a particular treatment is set for each variety, so there will be case-by-case bases, depending on the diagnosis of your dentist and other dental health professionals that you may need to visit. You should also value the worth of your dental health insurance, as it may prove to be your only recourse when the time comes.

A new advancement in dentistry, as purported by Dr. Nadia Benkirane-Jessel, a scientist at the Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, will revolutionize the way dentists treat cavities and tooth decays. This “regenerative gel” or “thin film” contains a melanocyte-stimulating hormone, which has the ability to regenerate decayed teeth – to the point of full restoration. The gel is intended to be dabbed in the surface/crevice of the decayed portion of the tooth. The gel has been tested on lab mice and yielded positive results. The only problem with the prototype is that it will take some time for the gel’s regenerative power to set in, as it was originally intended for use on smaller subjects that don’t salivate as much as we do. It has also not been disclosed if fluid substances can wear the gel away.

Dr. Benkirane-Jessel made it clear that the gel will only be limited in treating slight tooth decay. The gel has also NOT been designed to “prevent” tooth decay, meaning people will still have to make the most out of their daily brushing/flossing regimen.

Other than that, we are sure that the regenerative gel is being thoroughly improved through clinical trials and continuous lab research. We can only hope that in the next decade that the gel will be made commercially available so we ourselves can administer a full restorative treatment on any decaying tooth. Academic funding for the project will ensure that, in the near future, we could only see lesser instruments placed on the dental tray.

Tooth decay has affected more than 92% of US adults ages 20-64. A staggering 23% of the adult population has left their dental caries unattended, leading the infection to worsen over time. The main reason why people do not go see the dentist regularly is mainly due to poor financial conditions or the lack of information about dental conditions. People from underdeveloped countries are more likely to lose teeth because of tooth decay and related conditions.

While the future revolutionary standard in treating tooth decays is being perfected, international dental organizations should focus on regulating the costs of dental treatments in third world countries, particularly in Africa, the Middle East and in Asia. The government should also do its part on not only informing the public, but also regulating the fees dentists charge their patients. When dental maladies like tooth decay and cavities become untreated, they lead to pain, which commensurate to unproductiveness, leading the country to an even more tumultuous state.

Information is not enough. The public is hard-headed on proper oral hygiene – we know that for a fact. What the concerned bodies should do is constantly innovate to the benefit of the masses, particularly in reducing costs absorbed by the patient.

We’ve asked a couple of people on what they think is more repulsive: crooked teeth or yellow teeth. Unsurprisingly, most of them answered back with “yellow teeth”. This may root from the fact that people are sometimes born with an imperfect set of teeth – at least that can be an excuse. But having yellow teeth always turns out to be YOUR fault. It’s plain psychology that your peers will feel sympathy for you if you’ve been born with crooked teeth. But as we’ve mentioned, having yellow teeth is a different case: People have this mental reflex of thinking you’re not taking care of your teeth very well when your teeth are as yellow as corn cobs. An even more distracting sight are people who have the darkened gums and yellow teeth combo; not to mention bad breath to make it a triple threat – no humor intended.

According to a recent survey conducted by PRNewsWire on 2,500 respondents in the United Kingdom, approximately 60% of them are unhappy with their teeth. In correlation, they said they would be happier if they had whiter and straighter teeth. In the general sense, this tells us that people indeed are conscious with their dental health, and would likely spend on products or apparatus that would straight/whiten their teeth.

Another interesting figure is that 84% of the respondents said a smile creates the best first impression. See? People really are attracted to smiles. Guess the laid back people could give it a rest. A negative stereotype about the British is they have crooked teeth because of their eating habits. Though most celebrities hailing from Europe are known for their horrendous teeth, they still don’t account for the fact that Britons take good care of their teeth. Crooked teeth are a result of genetic predisposition. And it’s unlikely a person’s fault that he/she has crooked permanent teeth. But as consolation, don’t forget: The Brits have the sexiest accent in the world.

As for job interviews, one of the most asked questions would be: “Does the HR Manager really take into account the color and positioning of my teeth?” Well, to answer that, first take into consideration the position you’re applying for. If it’s a front desk position, the HR Manager would gladly give your “face value” a thorough inspection, since you’re applying for a job that needs to attract clients, not to scare them off. The Hotel & Restaurant industry has some of the meticulous HR managers. To justify these managers’ decision of adding teeth as an important criterion in shortlisting applicants, they often retort with a phrase similar to: “White and straight teeth, paired with a beautiful face, shows that an applicant pays attention to detail.” Yes, my friends – detail. But don’t be deceived – it doesn’t end there. The REAL reason why almost every HR personnel, regardless of industry, hire based on the color of both the teeth and gums is to verify that the applicant is of perfect health and is not suffering from any life-threatening condition that hasn’t been disclosed on medical affidavit. Heck, you can even get promoted quicker if you dazzle the top management with your professional smile – commensurate with your performance, of course.

And, as a bonus, ladies, do remember that even lipstick smudges on your teeth will deduct points even if you’re applying for a back-office position. Teeth will either make or break your future in corporate life.

First off, a dentist went through eight years of medical/biological studies, then dental school before becoming a public dental practitioner. That alone is enough to convince any patient that they are in safe hands with their dentist. Dentists are afraid of getting disbarred from their practice so it’s their utmost responsibility to carefully attune themselves to their patients’ needs – particularly with the stuff they recommend and treat their patients with. An example of which are whitening procedures administered inside the clinic. Dentists know the exact amount and concentration of bleaching and whitening treatments the patient’s teeth can tolerate, because there’s a high possibility of “tooth abrasion” if the whitening substance is left unattended or not thoroughly removed from the patient’s teeth.

And whitening isn’t whitening without the risks involved. First of all, expect actual results to deviate from advertised results if the application of whitening/material on the teeth doesn’t follow what’s inscribed on the directions label. Another important thing to consider is if your teeth are physiologically fit to undergo a whitening process—regardless if it’s dentist-administered or an at-home application. There are also risks involved with the toxicity levels of at-home dental whitening products. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide, one of the key ingredients of at-home dental whitening products, has been known to burn the lining of the mouth on several occasions. To date, there are thousands of dental whitening products available the world over—most of these being sold on eBay. A lot of these products have not met the safety standards of the American Dental Association not the blessing of the European Dental Association. Most of these products are cheaper than popular brands, so they immediately grasp the attention of budget-conscious shoppers. Many of these products also make their way to grocery stores because of the lack of regulation from the FDA. So, caveat emptor – do your research before buying any at-home dental product, whether for whitening purposes or not.

We strongly support in-office dental treatments and ADA-approved dental whitening products because they respectively cater to both the upper and middle class market segments. A lot of people cannot afford the luxury to get frequent dental fixes, so the need arises for low-cost, do-it-yourself products like dental-whitening kits. There are also cases like unprecedented social gatherings and meetings where time is of the essence and one cannot afford to wait for an appointment to come through.

If you’re bent on a bustling, busy lifestyle, it’s still best to get your dentist’s recommendation if you could try out dental whitening products. Get only dentist-approved whitening products; better yet, purchased from the dental clinic, so the dentist has the full liability in case anything goes wrong the product.

If you are currently enrolled in a dental insurance program, see if it covers dental whitening services and also look out if your dentist is not an affiliate of insurance provider. You can practically save a lot more if you fully utilize the worth of your dental insurance.

Chances of pregnancy complications are quite high for women who have unattended dental conditions. Getting these conditions treated immediately and effectively are one way of putting your baby out of harm’s way.

Pregnancy Gingivitis occurs when the progesterone levels spike to an intolerable amount. The spike allows gingivitis-causing bacteria to culture on the gums rapidly. Aside from the bacteria buildup, the body will also become more sensitive and responsive to any bacterial infection on the gums and plaque on the surface of the teeth. The progesterone, as mentioned, causes this. The exaggeration caused by the body’s reaction will more likely cause bleeding or excessive reddening of the gums, accompanied by pain. To sum up, the gums become very soft and likewise, become very prone to bleeding. If the bleeding becomes unattended, the higher the chances of bacteria infiltrating the gums, leading to much more serious complications like periodontitis. Pregnant women aren’t out of the bush even if they brush their teeth regularly. 50-80% of pregnant women suffer from Pregnancy Gingivitis – they just don’t know it or don’t know how to define it.

The lifelong results of Pregnancy Gingivitis are indeed frightening. The chances of the pregnant woman acquiring peridontitis are very high. Periodontitis, as we should stress, is a dental condition that usually progresses from complications such as heart conditions, diabetes and gingivitis. It is associated with loss and dislocation of teeth, as well as destroying the jaw line. Chronic gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontits have been commonly attributed to oral cancer—more specifically tongue cancer.

Pregnancy Gingivitis is not fatal, but often yields very painful results through the course of your pregnancy and post-pregnancy. Upon symptoms of bleeding gums or just on the onset of pregnancy, it is wise to consult a dentist for any medication that may suppress the hormonal spikes from attacking the gums.

Several products have claimed to prevent and treat oral cancer. We suggest that you visit your dentist for FDA-approved & dentist-acknowledged medications. Some over-the-counter medications offer convenient relief from Pregnancy Gingivitis but only end up making you dependent on other forms of medication.

As we have mentioned, the gums are the most sensitive, exposed parts of the body during pregnancy. It is better to buy a specialized toothbrush and toothpaste to prevent gum bleeding. Dentists also recommend removing any impacted teeth before the onset of pregnancy, as these teeth are often the root causes of gum bleeding as they slowly erupt during the course of pregnancy.

During pregnancy, avoid having contact with any fumes or elements that may compromise your health. Get your X-rays done before you commit the act.  Getting any major treatments or surgeries done before pregnancy is also a better way to slipstream comfort into your lifestyle while the baby is in your womb.

One major factor that contributes to oral health risks are dental appliances seniors wear—dentures, implants and crowns. Pairing those with the naturally declining health of the body as one ages, the more likely for the body to contract periodontal diseases. There are also medications that constrict one’s immune system. Recent studies have shown that while taking in medications may help in curing the body of a disease, it compromises the pancreatic functions and may cause liver failure, thereby increasing the chance of acquiring diabetes at a later point in life.

The heart, for a fact, is not a perpetual machine. As we age, the less our heart becomes throttled to work efficiently like it did decades ago. Arteries become clogged with fatty deposits, blood vessel composition thins. This in turn, overworks the heart and cause frequent fits of hypertension. The best way to care for our heart is to start eating healthy foods like oatmeal and vegetables at an early age. Cutting down on meat and other fatty foods is obviously of the essence. There are certain foods that may look harmless to the naked eye, but by studying their composition, one will see that they pack in more trans fat (or unsaturated fat) than a pan full of cooking oil. Examples of trans fat-rich foods are French fries and both processed & unprocessed milk. Anything “deep-fried to perfection” likely has high amounts of trans fat.

Recorded cardiovascular diseases have claimed the lives of more than 80 million people in the United States, according to a 2006 aggregate report. Branching in, we could see that the death toll is higher on low to middle class families, particularly because of familial and work-related stress. The unemployment numbers are piling in more now that the recession has come to a decade all-time high of 9.5%. Commensurate to that figure is the risk that more people will die because of heart-related problems in the coming years.

Why the heart is linked to oral health

We can safely assume that people with poor oral health tend to be careless with what they eat. The American Heart Association (ADA) conducted a study in 1992-2002 on US citizens that aimed to correlate the mortality rates between people who have heart problems to oral health. The result: a staggering 95% of people ages 40-59 have tooth decay on the surface of their teeth. People aged over 60 have lost all of their teeth and are either dependent on dentures or have given up eating hard foods.

The investigation spawned a distinct correlation of oral infections to coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease patients have shown signs of gingivitis/periodontitis and other tooth and gum diseases.

How you can prevent it

The general public frequently overlooks the label “Foods for a Healthy Heart” in grocery stores. The composition of these foods does not generally appease all people, but they do however, give us a choice if we want to live longer or not. The commercial purpose of healthy foods only comes second to its aim to help people live healthier lives

Before, the bland taste of oatmeal has unsuccessful in getting people’s eating interests. Now, the artificial (but safe) flavoring of not only oatmeal, but other healthy foods like yogurt and other snack bars have been effective.

But why is the mortality rate rising when people are buying these healthy foods? Simple: the majority of consumers can’t resist eating healthy food for even a  week. They can try it, but most of the time they’ll go back to their roots—wolfing down sweets and fatty foods.

A healthy lifestyle is great, and consistency is the key to achieving lifelong healthiness.

Education – How many times do we get amazed by the plaque and not on what’s written on the diploma? We should be aware that though dentists are indeed professionals in their own right, it would be better if we did a round-up of the best universities and the degree of specialization they instill on their alumni. For one, you could do a check on the “top 10 best dental schools in the US” and see hundreds of thousands of matches to your query. It would be reassuring if your local dentist graduated from a list of schools mentioned in these articles, but expect a high toll on expenses, because the law of parallelism states that dentists that graduated from premiere or private universities will more often than not, charge a price a notch higher than dentists who graduated from state universities.

We’ve bulleted education because it serves a pragmatic purpose. And while most may think that it’s the degree-holder and not the degree that’s important, what’s the point in competitive academic excellence if it served no purpose, no?

Location – If you don’t have a car, it’s best if you sought for a nearby dentist. If there are three dentists competing for patients around your block, it’s better to rank them according to the other factors mentioned in this article.

Cost of Treatment/Procedure – Paying in cash or in card doesn’t cut it. You also have to know if the dentist you’re going to is in the “In-Network” of dentists of your dental insurance provider. This means that if your dentist isn’t affiliated with your dental insurance provider, you’ll have high chances of paying in full and not putting your dental insurance to good use.

Do a search of “the best dental insurance” providers and their affiliate dental offices/dental associates. There are also limitations to the amount of coverage your dental insurance provider will shell out for different dental procedures. Your dental insurance provider (as read in your signing documents’ TOA) may only be limited to providing full coverage and reimbursement for minor treatments/operations; some major operations like root canals, dentures or full mouth reconstruction will not be (or will only be partially) covered by your insurance. Likewise, there is also the popular “missing tooth clause” that will void any coverage for any replacement (partial, bridge, dental implant) on any lost tooth that was known before the signing of the insurance documents.

Track record – Obviously, you won’t entrust any major surgery on your teeth to a fresh graduate. A dentist’s credentials are byproduct of his life’s work. Any person would tell you that even though the costs may be higher when the procedure is done by a veteran dentist, there’s the assurance that there’s a light at the end of a tunnel.

We’re not demeaning newly-practicing dentists though. In fact, getting an extraction done by a younger dentist may be more reassuring because their hands are more delicate. The new generation of dentists are now known to show more expertise on delicate procedures that were once only done by dentists in their prime.

There’s the web to search for reviews for dentists practicing near your area and there’s familial advice and professional advice. We suggest that you talk to people who know firsthand about the practice of the dentist you’re about to visit.

There are an average of 20 baby teeth or “milk teeth” – all of which are expected to have already erupted by the time your child turns three. The eruption of milk teeth is called “teething”. You may notice that your child’s teeth will erupt in pairs and the lower front teeth will usually come out first, followed by the upper front teeth, then the incisors, and finally, the molars. The sequence may vary depending on ancestry.

There are cases wherein the child may feel soreness or irritation on the onset of the teething process, paired with swelling gums and excessive drooling. These, along with other symptoms of fever are expected to be experienced by some children – and do not indicate any onset of fever, to say the least. If you notice your baby chewing on household objects, carefully check his/her teeth for any developments on the erupting teeth. Also make sure that the objects that your baby chews are clean. If he/she is persistent in chewing filthy or hazardous objects, it is best that he/she be put on a crib first and be given a soft, clean cloth for chewing. Being selective of the objects that your child is chewing is a sign of improving intuition and recognition on your child’s part.

Baby teeth last only for a few years, but dentists have proposed a connection between maltreated baby teeth and crooked permanent teeth. Studies show that premature loss of baby teeth may lead to some malocclusions on the erupting permanent teeth. Baby teeth will lose their grip on the alveolar bone when the child turns 7 to 10 years old. Some baby teeth may come off earlier than that, but parents must make sure that these teeth loosen naturally, and not extracted because of tooth decay.

The molars, on the other hand, are a slightly different case. In some cases, back molars don’t come off until the age of 10 to 12, so it’s more of a priority to care for the back teeth, since they won’t be leaving anytime soon.

At the time your child’s milk teeth become visible, it is advisable to start brushing them with fluoride-free toothpaste and a specialized toothbrush for babies (which have soft bristles). There also a commercial product called a “teething ring” – which could baby could safely chew on. Teething will also yield irate responses from your child. Ask your pediatrician if you can administer ibuprofen capsules or mini-tablets to relieve their pain.

At the time your baby turns two years old, you can start brushing their teeth with regular, fluoride toothpaste, and start teaching them to brush their teeth once they turn four.

If problems continue to persist, it is advisable to bring your baby to the dentist, especially you notice them swelling up or looking puffy. It is much more advisable though, to take them to a dentist who specializes on children—a periodontist.

And the tuition is a very serious matter. The average certified dental practitioner often graduates with at least $150,000 in debt mainly because of the number of years in school and the limited number of accredited universities (which are either private, independent, or Ivy League) that offer dentistry. Another reason why scholastic expenses are so high for dentists is their need to take separate training courses for dental specialties: Endodontics, Pediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics, to name a few. You may also notice that dentists often label themselves as “cosmetic dentists” and “general dentists” at the same time—the reason being a cosmetic/general dentistry practice does not require a separate license and one may practice both of these the moment he/she passes the national and regional board exams for dentists.

Today, dentists can earn a degree as either a D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or a D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine). A century back, a D.D.S. degree was the only degree offered to dentists by independent and exclusive schools in the United States. But at the turn of the 20^th century the D.M.D. degree was offered by only two dental schools, Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Oregon School of Dentistry. But still, D.M.D degrees are offered by a limited number of universities. There is also an ongoing confusion on the part of the public as to which is which between the two degrees. To briefly explain, they are in fact the same in semantics and education, but others claim that D.D.S. dentists specialize in surgical operations while D.M.D. dentists are better in diagnosing dental conditions and treating these conditions through medication—again, these “claims” are NOT true. Dentists, whether D.M.D. or D.D.S., specialize in BOTH the aforementioned areas and the only difference is really only the initials.

Most people ask if dental school is hard. To answer that question, ask your local dentist, and don’t consult the internet for answers, because many people posing to know about dentistry are just actually trolls. Methodically speaking, dentistry will somewhat be hard if you enrolled against your will, but it will always boil down to your aptitude, study habits and more importantly, the perseverance to pass the course. Choose a university with a high passing rate is imperative as well as reassuring.

The final two years of your study will be dedicated to practical applications of what you’ve learned sitting in class. Dedicate that time in improving your professional attitude and make the most out of it while you’re still in school. There are also partnerships between universities and clinics that offer summer undergraduate internships and research courses for students.