Causes. The cause of esophagitis is dependent upon what type of esophagitis it is. Eosinophilic esophagitis is the result of an abnormally high amount of eosinophils in the esophagus. This occurs when an allergen triggers an excessive response from the body. Common food allergies can cause eosinophilic esophagitis such as milk, eggs, soy, peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, and wheat. Reflux esophagitis is the result of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition that occurs when stomach acids move backward into the esophagus frequently. Drug-induced esophagitis is the result of medication taking without sufficient amounts of water. When some medications stay in the esophagus for longer then they should, it causes inflammation. Infectious esophagitis happens when fungi, bacteria, parasites, or viruses can infect the esophagus and cause inflammation. This type of esophagitis is common in individuals who have a compromised immune system.

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Information. Before modern medical advances, scarlet fever was a leading cause of death in children. It rarely occurs to children over the age of 15, and modern medicine has made it possible to treat scarlet fever without the fear of death. If it’s left untreated, however, it can cause serious health problems to various parts of the body. The kidneys and the heart are two of the organs that are most affected by an untreated case of scarlet fever. It also affects the ears, the lungs, and even the blood of those who have it and don’t see a doctor. There is not a vaccine to prevent it from occurring, but there are antibiotics available to treat this condition.

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Salt water rinse. The most simple remedy that can be prepared with products found in any home is the salt water rinse. This can bring temporary relief to the tooth and improve the chances of wound healing. Salt water is also very cleaning for the gums which can also be impacted by the tooth abscess. To create the salt water, 1/2 teaspoon of regular table salt is mixed into half a cup of water. The concoction is stirred until the salt is completely dissolved. The solution is used to rinse the mouth for at least three minutes. The liquid should be swished inside the mouth to make sure that all crevices and holes are reached. The water is then spat out. For a stable sense of relief, the rinse should be performed three times daily.

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Sneezing. Almost everyone sneezes when they come into contact with big clouds of dust because it irritates their nasal passages. However, those with allergies will have issues with sneezing even when they are not in a big cloud of dust. Even being in a room with a little dust along the baseboards or shelving can be enough to cause an issue. Those with a dust mite allergy often report feeling a sensation of itchiness or pressure along their throat, nose, and roof of the mouth right before they start sneezing. The sneezing associated with a dust mite allergy can range from a mild case of just sneezing once or twice to severe sneezing attacks that make it hard to catch a breath in between sneezes.

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Candida is a natural yeast that lives in small quantities in the mouth and does not normally cause problems. When it multiplies too much it can become problematic and cause a white coating on the tongue, esophagus, throat, or the walls of the mouth. This condition is mainly seen with newborn children or toddlers. Oral thrush is a relatively mild condition that can disappear as soon as treatment begins. This of course assumes that it is diagnosed quickly and treatment is started early. It is uncommon for adults to suffer from this unless the immune system has been weakened by some other condition which is affecting the body.

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Typically, the term bronchitis is mostly used to refer to a short-term acute condition that results from some other infection. However, there are actually two separate types of bronchitis—acute and chronic. With acute bronchitis, the symptoms are generally caused by a respiratory infection, such as the common cold. Often referred to as a chest cold or chest infection. Most patients with acute bronchitis will begin to get better in around seven to 10 days. Chronic bronchitis, on the other hand, is a far more serious, lifelong condition. In this case, the cause tends to be related to smoking or breathing in other harmful particles, which results in a near-permanent inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

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A broken jaw, also called a mandibular fracture, is a common facial injury. It usually occurs because of a traumatic blow to the head, and is often associated with other facial trauma, like a broken nose (the only facial injury to occur more frequently than a broken jaw). About 40% of patients who suffer a broken jaw also have injuries to the neck, head, nose, and eyes. Over half of jawbone fractures occur on only one side of the jaw.

Symptoms

Symptoms will start to develop directly following some kind of trauma to the jaw. Obviously your jaw will be in severe pain. You may feel malocclusion, which is when your teeth do not fit together properly. You may have problems chewing food or speaking, and may be unable to open your jaw fully. You may also see swelling. Sometimes a broken jaw can cause nerve damage, which causes the lower lip or chin to be numb. This can lead to drooling and the inability to control the mouth and jaw. Inside the mouth there may be bleeding or bruising under the tongue. If the jawbone moves backward, there may even be a cut in the ear canal. A broken jaw also makes it very difficult to eat. Thus, you may lose weight, experience fatigue, and have a general feeling of weakness.

Causes

The common cause of a broken jaw is an injury to the face. This may happen from an assault or fight (getting punched in the jaw), from a motor vehicle accident, an industrial accident, or a sports injury. The majority of broken jaws occur in young adult males between the ages of 20 and 30. They can also be caused by an accidental fall, especially in adults who faint or in young children.

Prevention

The best way to prevent a broken jaw is to protect your face from injury. This requires wearing proper equipment when playing sports, such as a helmet when playing hockey or football and a face shield when playing basketball. This includes wearing a mouth guard during contact sports. They not only protect your teeth but also help protect against jaw fractures. It is also important to respect your opponents. Try to avoid hitting people in the face with your arm or shoulder, especially when playing hockey or football. Wearing the proper equipment and protecting yourself and others is the best way to prevent facial injuries such as a broken jaw. It is also important to wear seat belts and shoulder harnesses when driving. Buckling up correctly can help prevent facial injuries caused by dashboard impacts and other debris during car accidents. You also want to try and avoid fighting or physical conflicts, as a punch to your jaw could break it.

Treatment

If you think you may have broken your jaw, it is important to apply ice immediately. This will help control the swelling and numb the area, hopefully reducing the pain.

 You may also need a paper cup to spit blood into or catch drool. You will need to go to the ER to get immediate attention. The doctor will treat your broken jaw by repairing the break with fine screws and metal plates, or by realigning the fractured pieces of bone with wires. If any teeth were loosened or lost, or if fragments of bone have cut the skin, the doctor will most likely give you a prescription for an antibiotic to reduce pain and the risk of infection. The doctor will also give you a dietary plan to follow for a few weeks before your jaw heals enough to the point that you can eat solid foods again. In some instances, you may need surgery. MedlinePlus, which is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, has more information about treatment options.

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An impacted tooth is a tooth that does not emerge into the dental arch in the usual time frame. Unless the impacted tooth is extracted surgically, it will remain impacted throughout the person’s lifetime. A tooth may become impacted because of excessive soft tissue, adjacent teeth, a genetic abnormality or a dense overlying bone. If left in the mouth, some impacted teeth can become infected or damage neighboring teeth, leading to numerous oral problems. 9/10 people have at least one wisdom tooth that is impacted.

Symptoms

An impacted tooth can lead to all sorts of symptoms that impact oral hygiene. It can create swelling and redness of the gums in the area around the impacted tooth, and can cause bad breath. An impacted tooth may make it difficult for you to open your mouth. It can create a prolonged and explained jaw ache or headache. It can also cause tenderness or pain of the jaw bone or gums, especially in the area of the impacted tooth. Occasionally the lymph nodes of the neck may swell up, and biting down near or on the area of the impacted tooth might cause an unpleasant taste. There may also be a visible gap in the spot where the tooth did not come through.

Causes

Teeth begin to emerge and pass through the gums during infancy. These are considered baby teeth, and are eventually replaced by permanent teeth. In either case, if a tooth does not emerge, it is called “impacted”. Of all the teeth, it’s usually the wisdom teeth which in turn become impacted, though others can as well. Impacted teeth can be caused in numerous ways. Sometimes the area is overcrowded, and there is no spot for a tooth to come through. For example, the jaw might be too tiny to fit a wisdom tooth. As a tooth tries to emerge, it may become tilted, twisted, or displaced, and unable to come through the gum tissue. This can also result in an impacted tooth. Sometimes a tooth becomes partially emerged, but does not come all the way through. This partially emerged tooth can ensnare plaque, food, and other waste, causing tenderness and inflammation of the gums to occur. This condition is called pericoronitis. Pericoronitis also causes unpleasant mouth odor.

Prevention

Unfortunately, an impacted tooth cannot be prevented. Impacted teeth are very common however, and can be taken care of or removed easily. If the tooth is partially emerged, performing good oral hygiene can help keep the tooth clean and prevent cavities.

Treatment

There are two different ways to deal with an impacted tooth. The first way is through treatment.

 An impacted tooth may cause minor irritation, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. It can also be treated by rinsing with warm salt water. Placing a half teaspoon of salt into a cup of water and rinsing can help reduce irritation and inflammation. If an impacted tooth becomes infected, continues to generate pain, or hampers other teeth, even after using salt water or pain relievers, it can be removed by a dentist or oral surgeon. Removing an impacted tooth is a fairly simple procedure that takes around 30 minutes to an hour depending on the severity of the impaction and location of the tooth. Dentists or oral surgeons may use sedation techniques or anesthesia to make sure you are comfortable, although this is not always necessary. During the procedure, your oral surgeon or dentist will make a cut in your gums before removing any bone that limits access to the tooth. They then remove the tooth and close the wound with stitches and pack it with gauze. Following the surgery, your cheeks and jaw may be swollen and you have may have difficulty eating some foods. You will be given multiple gauze pads to change out the gauze and will probably be given prescription pain-killing medication. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has more information about impacted teeth.

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Oral cancer is a subtype of neck and head cancer. It refers to all cancerous tissue increase situated in the oral cavity. It may occur by extension from a nearby anatomic structure, because of metastasis from a distant site of origin, or by a primary lesion originating in an oral tissue. 90% of oral cancers originate in the tissues that line the lips and mouth, called squamous cell carcinomas (though there are several types of oral cancers). Oral cancer commonly involves the tongue, but also may occur in the cheek lining, lips, gums, or floor/roof of the mouth.

Symptoms

There are early warning signs and symptoms in the mouth that may suggest oral cancer. For example, an ulcer, lump, or skin lesion that does not resolve in two weeks located on the lip, tongue, or in other mouth areas could indicate oral cancer. They are usually small and pale colored, although they may be discolored or dark. There may be a red patch or white patch on the soft tissues of the mouth. It may go unnoticed because it is initially painless, but may develop into severe pain or a burning sensation as the tumor advances. It may be located behind the ear or behind the wisdom teeth. People with oral cancer may have mouth sores which do not heal, tongue problems, or difficulty swallowing. They may have loose teeth or bleeding in the mouth. Sometimes oral cancer can cause an earache. It can cause thickening of the cheek, or a hoarse voice that lasts a long time. It may also make speaking difficult and cause a sore throat. Seniors with oral cancer may have difficulty wearing dentures.

Causes

Oral cancer occurs when the cells in your mouth or on your lips develop mutations in their DNA. While healthy cells would grow, divide, and die, mutations allow cancer cells to divide and grow without dying. This results in an accumulation of cancer cells in the mouth, which can form a tumor. In time, they can spread to other areas of the mouth, the neck, head, and other parts of the body. There are factors that increase the risk of oral cancer. Smoking is a common cause. Unprotected sun exposure and drinking excessive alcohol are also risks that increase the chances of developing oral cancer.

Prevention

It is possible for you to actively work to detect oral cancer early or preventing it entirely. It is important to floss and brush your teeth daily (twice daily preferably). Keeping your mouth clean and healthy improves the immune system and increases the chances that your body will successfully fight off potential cancers. You also want to avoid smoking or chewing any type of tobacco. Drink alcohol responsibly; try to drink 1-2 drinks per day maximum and avoid binge drinking. You also want to limit your exposure to the sun. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer on your lips, so use sun protection with proper UV blocking capabilities. Be sure to exercise regularly, as an active and healthy lifestyle will work to boost the immune system and do what it can to help you fight off cancer. A healthy lifestyle includes a healthy diet. Eat cancer-fighting foods like beans, grapes, berries, and tomatoes. Go to your dental hygienist or dentist at least once every 6 months, and conduct a self examination at least once a month. This self examination may take only a few minutes but can help you detect oral cancer early, making it easier to get rid of. The Oral Cancer Foundation has more information and various prevention methods.

Treatment

Oral cancer treatment varies depending on the location and stage of the cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. You may have to undergo a combination of cancer treatments, or you may need only one type of treatment.

 One of the treatments is surgery. This includes surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes in the neck, surgery to remove a tumor, or surgery to reconstruct the mouth. Surgery on the mouth can affect your ability to eat, speak, and swallow, and may affect your appearance. Sometimes radiation therapy is used following surgery, while other times it may be the only treatment required. IT uses high-energy beams to eliminate cancer cells. Other treatment techniques include chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy.

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Tooth decay, also called dental caries or simply a cavity, is an infection that creates destruction and demineralization of the hard tissues in the mouth. If demineralization surpasses saliva and other remineralisation factors from fluoridated and calcium toothpastes, these hard tissues can break down and produce tooth decay. If left untreated, the disease can lead to tooth loss, severe pain, and infection. There are numerous treatments available however, that can restore teeth to proper function, form, and aesthetics.

Symptoms

Symptoms generally do not occur until you have an infected tooth or cavity. The most common symptom is a severe toothache. You might also experience a foul taste in your mouth or have bad breath. There may be gray, white, black, or brown spots visible on the teeth or you may have loose fillings. The toothache may become worse when you eat cold or hot foods, eat sweets, drink cold, hot, or acidic liquids (citrus drinks for example), chew gum or food, brush your teeth, or breathe in cold air. Severe tooth decay may cause an abscess to form in the bone at the base of your tooth. This abscess may cause symptoms such as swollen glands, fever, a deep and throbbing pain, or a swollen jaw. Tooth decay might also cause pain when you bite down and release pus around the infected tooth.

Causes

Tooth decay is caused by a combination of food and bacteria. Plaque, a clear, sticky substance which contains bacteria, is constantly forming on your gums and teeth. This bacteria feeds on sugar from the foods you eat, and produce acids, which attacks the teeth after you have finished eating. These acids will destroy tooth enamel over a period of time, resulting in tooth decay. Tooth decay is more likely to occur if you do not take care of your teeth properly. This includes not flossing daily and not brushing your teeth after you eat or twice each day. Tooth decay is also more likely to occur if you eat foods that contain large amounts of sugar. If tooth decay is not treated, the acid and bacteria move to the inner tooth material (called pulp) that contains blood vessels and nerves. The bacteria causes the pulp to become irritated which can potentially lead to serious complications.

Prevention

Good dental and oral hygiene can help you avoid tooth decay and/or cavities. It is important to brush a minimum of two times each day, and if you can, after every meal. Brushing after drinking or eating helps you keep your teeth clean and removes bacteria and acid. You will also want to rinse out your mouth frequently, preferably with fluoride if possible. It is important to visit your dentist on a regular basis to receive professional tooth cleanings. These tooth cleanings help remove plaque and tartar that may not have been removed at home. You may also want to look into dental sealants. A dental sealant seals off the chewing surface of the back teeth that collects food and makes it more likely for you to get a cavity. Eating healthy foods, such as fresh fruits, cheese, and vegetables, can also help protect your tooth from tooth decay, as can avoiding frequent snacking. The American Dental Association provides more information.

Treatment

There are many treatments available to help stop tooth decay as well as fix cavities. At the beginning stages of tooth decay, fluoride treatments are administered.

Fluoride treatments help restore your tooth’s enamel. If the decay has progressed beyond the early stages, a filling is the main treatment option. A filling replaces decayed areas of your teeth after the damage becomes permanent. The decayed part of your tooth is drilled away by your dentist, and the gap is filled with the filling. If you have weakened teeth or extensive decay, a crown may be installed. It is a custom-fitted covering which replaces your tooth’s natural crown. If decay reaches your tooth’s inner material, a root canal may be required. This is a painful procedure that replaces the tooth pulp with a filing. For teeth that are severely decayed, removal might be the only remaining option.

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