Oral Health
The temporomandibular joints are the two places - one on each side of the face, just in front of the ears - where the temporal bone of the skull connects to the lower jaw (mandible). Ligaments, tendons, and muscles support the joints and are responsible for jaw movement.
The Temporomandibular Joint is The Most Complicated Joint in The Body:
In addition to brushing and flossing, a prudent diet - with natural or added fluoride) protects teeth from decay and keeps the gums healthy. Tooth decay (cavities and dental caries) and gum diseases are caused by colonies of bacteria that constantly coat the teeth with a sticky film called plaque. If plaque is not brushed away, these bacteria break down the sugars and starches in foods to produce acids that wear away the tooth enamel. The plaque also hardens into tartar, which can lead to gum inflammation or gingivitis.
Oral cancers develop in 30,000 Americans and cause 8,000 deaths each year, mostly in people over age 40. This represents about 2.5 per cent of cancer cases and 1.5 per cent of all cancer-related deaths - a high rate considering the small size of the mouth in relation to the rest of the body. Along with cancers of the lungs and skin, cancers of the mouth are more preventable than most other cancers.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mouth, often a symptom of systemic disease. Fetid breath odour and blood tinged saliva may accompany any ulcerative lesions of the oral mucosa.
Etiology! Stomatitis may be caused by infection, trauma, dryness, irritants and toxic agents, bypersensitivity, or autoimmune conditions. Infectious agents include streptococci, gonococci, fusospirochets, Candida albicans, Corynebacterium diptheriae, Treponoma pallidum, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and the viruses of herpes simplex, cexsackie, measles, and infections mononucleosis.
When healthy, the lining of the mouth (oral mucosa) is reddish pink, and the gums, which fit snugly around the teeth, are paler pink. The roof of the mouth (palate) is divided into two parts. The front part has ridges and is hard (hard palate); the back part is relatively smooth and soft (soft palate). The inside and outside surfaces of the lips are distinctly divided by a wet-dry border (the vermilion border); the outside surface is skin-like, and the inside surface is moist mucosa.
Postnasal drip is an annoying complication of various respiratory ailments and generally disappears after the primary ailment clears up. Mucus is a normal product of the nasal passages, but when too much is produced it finds its way into the throat instead of leaving by way of the nostrils. When the condition becomes chronic - for example, from an allergy or prolonged sinusitis - mucus can drip into the bronchial tubes, especially at night, inducing coughing and heavy phlegm.
The spleen is an organ about the size of the palm of the hand, which lies in the left upper abdomen, tucked away under the left lower margin of the ribs. It is a composite organ and one of its functions is to act as a blood reservoir.
Ruptare of the spleen may occur as a result of injury to the abdomen. It is commonest when the organ is diseased and enlarged, as in typhoid fever or malaria. It gives rise to severe internal haemorrhage, and requires immediate treatment by surgical operation.
Chronic Enlargement
Gingivitis, Periodontitis:
Red and swollen gums, possibly with bleeding. Gums may recede, exposing more of the tooth. There may also be bone loss around teeth roots. Poorly controlled diabetes leads to a much higher incidence and severity of these problems.
Good News:
In one study, adults with diabetes who got regular dental care (ultrasonic scaling and curettage, or gum trimming) and took oral doxycycline (a systemic antibiotic) saw nearly a 10 percent reduction in their mean blood glucose levels (HbA1 c) after three months of treatment.
Every 6 months for a cleaning and checkup
If your gums bleed easily or are swollen, reddened, or soft
If you notice a change in your bite
If you have an injury to a tooth or it is dislodged due to an accident. (It can often be replanted if you are seen by a dentist immediately.)
If you have any discomfort from a tooth
If you have a tendency to grind your teeth, experience pain near the jaw joint, or have chronic headaches
