- Abscess: Imagine a painful pocket of infection in your tooth or gum that’s filled with pus—it’s like your body’s way of fighting off bacteria that have gotten deep inside, maybe from untreated decay or a crack in your tooth. This can cause swelling in your face, fever, and a lot of discomfort. It’s serious and needs quick attention from your dentist, who might drain it and prescribe antibiotics to prevent it from spreading to other parts of your body.
- Amalgam: This is a strong, silver-colored filling material made from a blend of metals, including mercury, silver, tin, and copper. It’s been used for years because it’s durable and great for back teeth that do a lot of chewing. Some people worry about the mercury, but it’s safe in this form according to dental experts. If you prefer something that matches your tooth color, there are other options like composite fillings.
- Anesthesia: This is the numbing medicine dentists use to make sure you don’t feel pain during procedures. Local anesthesia just numbs a small area, like for a filling, while general anesthesia puts you to sleep for bigger surgeries. It helps you relax and makes the visit much more comfortable—think of it as a temporary shield against discomfort.
- Apicoectomy: If a root canal doesn’t fully fix an infected tooth, this surgery removes the very tip of the tooth’s root along with any surrounding infected tissue. It’s like trimming the end of a bad root to save the rest of the tree. Done under local anesthesia, it’s a way to keep your natural tooth instead of pulling it out, and recovery usually involves some swelling but gets better in a few days.
- Attrition: This is the gradual wearing down of your teeth from everyday chewing, grinding, or clenching over time. It’s normal to some extent, but if it’s excessive—like from stress-related grinding—it can make teeth shorter, sensitive, or even crack them. Wearing a nightguard can help protect your teeth, and your dentist might suggest ways to restore the worn surfaces.
B
- Bite: Your bite is simply how your upper and lower teeth fit together when you close your mouth. A good bite means they align well for comfortable chewing and speaking. If it’s off (called malocclusion), it might cause jaw pain, headaches, or uneven wear on teeth. Orthodontic treatments like braces can fix this to make everything work smoothly.
- Bonding: This is a cosmetic fix where your dentist applies a tooth-colored resin material to repair chipped, cracked, decayed, or discolored teeth. It’s like sculpting putty onto the tooth and hardening it with a special light. It’s quick, painless, and can make your smile look better right away, though it might not last as long as crowns for heavy-duty repairs.
- Braces: These are the metal or ceramic brackets and wires attached to your teeth to straighten them and fix bite problems over time. They gently push teeth into the right position, usually worn for 1-3 years. While they might feel awkward at first, regular adjustments help, and the end result is a straighter, healthier smile that boosts your confidence.
- Bridge: If you’re missing one or more teeth, a bridge is a fixed replacement that “bridges” the gap by attaching artificial teeth to the healthy ones on either side or to implants. It’s like building a small bridge in your mouth to restore your ability to chew and speak properly, and it prevents other teeth from shifting out of place.
- Bruxism: This is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth, often while sleeping, due to stress, misalignment, or other factors. It can lead to worn teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and even cracked teeth over time. Your dentist might recommend a custom mouthguard to wear at night to cushion your teeth and reduce the damage.
C
- Caries: This is just another word for tooth decay, where bacteria in your mouth produce acids that eat away at the tooth’s enamel. It starts small but can grow into bigger problems like cavities if not treated. Brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups are your best defense to keep caries from ruining your teeth.
- Cavity: A cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by decay from plaque and bacteria. It might not hurt at first, but as it gets deeper, it can cause pain, sensitivity, or infection. Your dentist fills it with material to stop the decay and restore the tooth—think of it as patching a pothole in a road to prevent bigger issues.
- Crown: A crown is like a protective cap that covers a damaged, decayed, or weakened tooth to bring back its shape, strength, and look. Made from porcelain, metal, or a mix, it’s cemented in place after the tooth is prepared. It’s great for saving teeth that might otherwise need to be pulled, and with care, it can last many years.
- Cusps: These are the pointy, raised parts on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars and premolars). They help grind food like little hills on a mountain. If they’re worn down or damaged, it can affect how you chew, and your dentist might need to repair them with fillings or crowns.
- Canine: Your canine teeth are the pointy ones next to your front teeth, also called “eye teeth” or “fangs.” They’re designed for tearing food and guide your bite when you move your jaw side to side. They’re strong and important for a stable bite, so if one is damaged, it might need a filling or crown.
D
- Dentin: This is the layer under the hard enamel of your tooth—it’s softer and has tiny tubes that connect to the nerves, which is why exposed dentin can make teeth sensitive to hot, cold, or sweets. When decay breaks through enamel, it hits dentin next, so protecting your enamel is key to avoiding pain.
- Dental Implant: Think of this as an artificial tooth root—a titanium post surgically placed into your jawbone to hold a replacement tooth, crown, or bridge. It’s a long-term solution for missing teeth that looks and feels natural, helps maintain jawbone health, and doesn’t affect neighboring teeth like bridges might.
- Dentures: These are removable replacements for missing teeth and gums—partial dentures fill in gaps, while full ones replace all teeth in an arch. They’re custom-made to fit your mouth, helping you eat, speak, and smile confidently. It might take time to get used to them, but with adjustments, they become comfortable.
- Dry Socket: After a tooth extraction, a blood clot normally forms in the socket to protect the bone and nerves. If it dislodges or dissolves too soon, you get dry socket—a painful exposure that can delay healing. Smoking or using straws can cause it, so follow your dentist’s aftercare instructions to avoid this complication.
- Deciduous Teeth: These are your baby teeth or primary teeth that start coming in around 6 months old and fall out naturally between ages 6-12 to make way for permanent ones. They hold space for adult teeth and help with speech and chewing, so taking care of them prevents problems later on.
E
- Enamel: This is the super-hard, white outer layer of your teeth that acts as a shield against decay and damage—it’s the toughest stuff in your body! But acids from food, drinks, or bacteria can wear it down over time. Once lost, it doesn’t grow back, so brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps keep it strong.
- Endodontics: This branch of dentistry deals with the inside of your tooth, like treating the pulp (nerves and blood vessels) when it’s infected. The most common procedure is a root canal, which saves teeth that might otherwise be lost. Endodontists are specialists who handle complex cases for the best outcomes.
- Extraction: This means pulling out a tooth, usually because it’s too damaged from decay, infection, or crowding, or to make room for orthodontics. It’s done under anesthesia so you don’t feel pain, and afterward, you’ll get tips on healing, like avoiding certain foods to prevent dry socket.
- Erosion: Tooth erosion happens when acids from foods, drinks (like soda or citrus), or stomach acid wear away the enamel, making teeth thinner, sensitive, or discolored. It’s different from decay because it’s not bacterial. Rinsing with water after acidic foods and using a soft toothbrush can help protect against it.
- Edentulous: This term means you have no natural teeth left in your mouth, either from age, disease, or injury. It can affect eating, speaking, and your facial appearance. Options like dentures, bridges, or implants can restore function and give you back your smile.
F
- Facilitator: A neutral individual whose role is to guide the process of a meeting or workshop to ensure it is effective and collaborative. The facilitator focuses on process, not content, keeping the group on track and encouraging participation.
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): A list of common questions and their corresponding answers related to a specific topic, product, or service, designed to provide quick information.
- Feedback: A response or reaction to a message, performance, or product. In a professional context, it is used to confirm understanding or provide constructive comments for improvement.
- Fiscal Year (FY): A one-year period that a company or government uses for accounting, financial reporting, and budgeting purposes. It may not align with the calendar year.
- Follow-Up: A subsequent communication or action taken after an initial interaction to continue a conversation, provide additional information, or ensure tasks are completed.
- FYI (For Your Information): An acronym used to share information with someone without requiring a specific action or response from them.
G
- Gingivitis: This is the early stage of gum disease where your gums get red, swollen, and bleed easily from plaque buildup. It’s caused by poor brushing and flossing but is reversible with better oral hygiene and professional cleanings. If ignored, it can progress to more serious periodontitis.
- Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease): This infection affects the gums and bone that support your teeth, starting as gingivitis and worsening to periodontitis if untreated. Symptoms include bleeding gums, bad breath, and loose teeth. Regular check-ups, good hygiene, and sometimes deep cleanings or surgery can manage it and save your teeth.
- Gingivectomy: If you have overgrown or infected gum tissue from disease or for cosmetic reasons (like a gummy smile), this surgery removes the excess. It’s done with local anesthesia, and lasers make it precise with less bleeding. Afterward, your gums heal to look healthier and more even.
- Graft: In dentistry, a graft adds tissue or bone to areas where it’s lost, like from gum disease or to support implants. It could be from your own body, a donor, or synthetic material. This helps rebuild strong foundations for teeth, promoting healing and preventing further loss.
- Gutta-Percha: This rubber-like material is used to fill the inside of a tooth after a root canal, sealing off the cleaned space to prevent reinfection. It’s biocompatible and flexible, molded into the root canals. It’s a key step in saving a tooth that’s been badly infected.
- Halitosis: Better known as bad breath, this can come from poor oral hygiene, food, dry mouth, or underlying issues like gum disease or infections. Brushing your tongue, flossing, and staying hydrated help, but if it’s persistent, your dentist can check for causes and suggest treatments like special rinses.
- Hypersensitivity: This is when your teeth hurt from hot, cold, sweet, or acidic things because the dentin is exposed from receding gums, erosion, or cracks. It’s like your teeth are extra touchy. Desensitizing toothpastes or professional treatments can block the pain signals and make eating more enjoyable.
- Hygienist: Your dental hygienist is the friendly professional who cleans your teeth, removes plaque and tartar, takes X-rays, and teaches you about oral care. They’re like your coach for keeping your mouth healthy between dentist visits, spotting early issues to prevent bigger problems.
I
- Impaction: When a tooth, often a wisdom tooth, doesn’t fully come through the gum because it’s stuck against another tooth or bone, it’s impacted. This can cause pain, swelling, or infection. Your dentist might recommend extraction if it’s causing trouble, done surgically if needed.
- Inlay: An inlay is a custom-made filling, usually porcelain or gold, that’s cemented into a tooth to repair decay or damage without covering the whole top. It’s stronger than regular fillings for larger areas and looks natural. Think of it as a puzzle piece fitting perfectly into your tooth.
- Invisalign: This is a popular alternative to metal braces—clear, removable plastic aligners that gradually straighten your teeth. You switch to new ones every few weeks, and they’re nearly invisible. Great for adults, but you need to wear them most of the day and clean them well.
- Incisor: Your incisors are the flat, front teeth (four on top, four on bottom) used for cutting food like apples or smiling big. They’re the most visible, so stains or chips affect your appearance. If damaged, veneers or bonding can fix them up nicely.
- Interdental: This refers to the spaces between your teeth where plaque and food hide. Cleaning them with floss, interdental brushes, or water flossers is crucial to prevent decay and gum issues. It’s like sweeping between the cracks to keep everything spotless.
J
- Jawbone: Your jawbone holds your teeth in place and gives structure to your face. If you lose teeth, it can shrink over time, affecting your bite and appearance. Implants or bone grafts help maintain it, ensuring a strong base for replacements.
- Jaw Joint (TMJ): The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull, letting you open, close, and move side to side. Problems (TMD) can cause pain, clicking, or locking from stress, injury, or misalignment. Treatments include mouthguards, exercises, or sometimes surgery.
L
- Local Anesthesia: This is the shot or gel that numbs just the area being worked on, like for a filling or extraction, so you stay awake but pain-free. It wears off after a few hours, and you might feel tingly as it does. It’s safe and makes procedures much easier.
- Laminate: Often called a veneer, this is a thin shell of porcelain or composite bonded to the front of a tooth to cover stains, chips, or gaps. It’s like a facade for your tooth, improving your smile cosmetically with minimal removal of natural tooth structure.
M
- Malocclusion: This means your teeth don’t align properly when you bite down, like an overbite or underbite, which can cause chewing problems, speech issues, or jaw pain. Orthodontics like braces correct it, leading to better function and health.
- Mouthguard: A soft or hard device you wear over your teeth to protect them during sports from impacts or at night to prevent grinding damage. Custom ones from your dentist fit best and can prevent concussions, broken teeth, or worn enamel.
- Molar: Molars are the big, flat teeth at the back of your mouth for grinding food. You have first, second, and third (wisdom) molars. They’re prone to cavities in their grooves, so sealants and good brushing are important to keep them healthy.
- Mandible: This is your lower jawbone that holds your bottom teeth and moves when you talk or eat. Issues like fractures or misalignment can affect your bite. Dental treatments often consider the mandible for overall jaw harmony.
N
- Nightguard: Similar to a mouthguard but worn while sleeping to cushion your teeth from grinding or clenching (bruxism). It’s custom-fitted to be comfortable and prevents tooth wear, jaw pain, and headaches. If you wake with sore jaws, this might be for you.
- Nerve: Inside each tooth is a nerve in the pulp that senses pain, hot, or cold. If infected from deep decay, it causes toothache. A root canal removes the damaged nerve to save the tooth, and afterward, you won’t feel sensations there anymore.
O
- Onlay: Like an inlay but larger, an onlay covers one or more cusps of a tooth to repair bigger damage or decay. It’s custom-made and cemented on, stronger than fillings for extensive repairs while saving more natural tooth than a full crown.
- Orthodontics: This specialty straightens teeth and corrects jaw alignment using braces, aligners, or other devices. It’s not just for looks—it improves bite, reduces wear, and makes cleaning easier. Treatment can take months to years but results in a healthier mouth.
- Oral Hygiene: This is your daily routine of brushing twice a day, flossing, and maybe using mouthwash to remove plaque and keep teeth and gums healthy. It’s the foundation of preventing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath—simple habits that pay off big time.
- Occlusion: Occlusion is how your teeth come together when you close your mouth or chew. Good occlusion means even contact for efficient function. If it’s off, it can lead to problems, and dentists check it during exams to spot issues early.
- Overbite: When your upper teeth overlap the lower ones more than normal vertically, it’s an overbite. Mild ones are common, but severe cases can cause jaw strain or speech issues. Braces or other orthodontics can correct it for better balance.
P
- Periodontics: This field focuses on treating gums and the bone supporting teeth, handling diseases like gingivitis or periodontitis. Periodontists do deep cleanings, grafts, or surgeries to save teeth and restore health. Regular visits help catch problems before they worsen.
- Plaque: Plaque is that sticky, colorless film of bacteria that builds up on your teeth after eating. If not brushed away, it hardens into tartar and causes decay or gum inflammation. Daily brushing and flossing keep it under control for a fresh mouth.
- Pulp: The soft center of your tooth with nerves, blood vessels, and tissue that keeps it alive. Infection from deep decay can inflame it, causing pain. A root canal cleans it out and seals it, saving the tooth without affecting its outer function.
- Prophylaxis: This is the fancy term for a professional teeth cleaning at the dentist, where they remove plaque, tartar, and stains. It’s done every 6 months to prevent disease, and includes polishing for a smooth feel—think of it as a spa day for your teeth.
- Pericoronitis: This inflammation happens around a partially erupted tooth, like wisdom teeth, when bacteria get trapped under the gum flap. It causes pain, swelling, or bad taste. Rinsing with salt water helps, but often the tooth needs removal to resolve it.
R
- Root Canal: When the pulp inside your tooth is infected or damaged, a root canal removes it, cleans the canals, and fills them to seal out bacteria. It’s not as scary as it sounds—done with anesthesia, it saves the tooth and relieves pain, like fixing the core of an apple.
- Retainer: After braces, a retainer holds your teeth in their new positions to prevent shifting. It can be removable (like a clear tray) or fixed (wired behind teeth). Wearing it as directed, especially at first, ensures your straight smile lasts a lifetime.
- Root Planing: Part of deep cleaning for gum disease, this smooths the tooth roots below the gumline to remove bacteria and help gums reattach. It’s done with local anesthesia if needed, and reduces pockets where plaque hides, promoting healing.
- Restoration: Any dental work that repairs or replaces damaged teeth, like fillings, crowns, bridges, or implants. The goal is to restore function, appearance, and health so you can eat and smile comfortably.
- Ridge: The ridge is the bony part of your jaw where teeth are anchored. After tooth loss, it can resorb (shrink), affecting denture fit or implant placement. Bone grafts preserve the ridge for better support.
S
- Scaling: This is scraping off plaque and tartar from teeth and below the gums during a cleaning. For deeper issues, it’s combined with root planing. It prevents disease progression and is usually painless with numbing if sensitive.
- Sealant: A thin, plastic coating painted on the grooves of back teeth to block out food and bacteria, preventing cavities. It’s quick, painless, and especially useful for kids’ molars. Sealants can last years with normal wear.
- Sensitivity: Tooth sensitivity is that sharp pain from hot, cold, sweets, or brushing when dentin is exposed. Causes include receding gums or enamel loss. Special toothpastes or treatments from your dentist can desensitize the area for relief.
- Splint: A splint is a device that stabilizes loose teeth from injury or disease, or protects against grinding. It’s like a brace for teeth, often temporary, to allow healing or reduce stress on the jaw.
- Supernumerary Teeth: These are extra teeth beyond the normal 32, which can crowd or misalign others. They might need removal if causing problems, but sometimes they’re harmless. X-rays help spot them early.
T
- Tartar (Calculus): When plaque hardens, it becomes tartar—a rough, yellow buildup that sticks to teeth and irritates gums. You can’t brush it off; only a dentist or hygienist can remove it with special tools. Preventing it starts with good daily hygiene.
- Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD): Issues with the TMJ can cause jaw pain, clicking, headaches, or difficulty opening your mouth from stress, arthritis, or injury. Treatments range from rest and ice to mouthguards or physical therapy for relief.
- Tooth Whitening: This cosmetic treatment lightens stained or discolored teeth using bleaching gels, either at the dentist or at home with trays. It’s safe when done properly but won’t work on crowns or fillings. Results vary, and avoiding staining foods helps maintain them.
- Torque: In orthodontics, torque is the twisting force braces apply to rotate or tilt teeth into better positions. It’s part of fine-tuning your smile for proper alignment and function.
- Trench Mouth: Also known as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, this severe gum infection causes painful ulcers, bleeding, and bad breath from poor hygiene, stress, or smoking. It needs prompt treatment with antibiotics and cleanings to heal.
U
- Underbite: When lower teeth stick out past the upper ones, it’s an underbite, which can make chewing hard and wear teeth unevenly. Orthodontics or surgery in severe cases can correct it for better jaw function and appearance.
- Unerupted Tooth: A tooth that hasn’t broken through the gum yet, either because it’s still developing or impacted. If it’s causing issues like cysts or pain, your dentist might monitor or extract it.
V
- Veneer: A veneer is a thin, tooth-colored shell glued to the front of a tooth to fix chips, stains, gaps, or shape issues. It’s minimally invasive and gives a natural look, popular for smile makeovers, but requires good care to last.
- Vermillion Border: This is the outline where your lips meet the skin, important in cosmetic dentistry for procedures like fillings or veneers near the gums to ensure a natural appearance.
W
- Wisdom Teeth: These are the third molars that usually emerge in your late teens or early 20s. If there’s no room, they can impact and cause pain or infection. Many people have them removed preventively, with recovery involving rest and soft foods.
- Whitening Tray: Custom plastic trays from your dentist filled with bleaching gel for at-home whitening. You wear them for set times, and they’re effective for gradual lightening. Follow instructions to avoid sensitivity.
X
- X-ray (Dental): These images show what’s inside your teeth and jaw, spotting cavities, bone loss, or hidden issues that aren’t visible. They’re safe with low radiation, and dentists use them during check-ups to catch problems early.
- Xerostomia: Dry mouth happens when you don’t produce enough saliva, increasing cavity and infection risk from meds, age, or health conditions. Sipping water, chewing sugar-free gum, or using special rinses can help keep your mouth moist.