Dentist Words 

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Dentists, like other health care professionals, make use of medical jargon.  Since we use it all the time, we sometimes forget that not everyone talks that way.  Here are a few things you may hear most often. 
These are brief explanations of words.  More can be said of all of them.  Our office will be happy to provide more information on request. 
An explanation you do not understand is not an explanation. Please ask questions. 
 

Your Smile Can Last For Life!

Common dentist words in alphabetical order

amalgam

The alloy most used to fill cavities.  Studies have failed to find a health risk from the mercury in the alloy.  The alloy is strong, durable, easy to work and relatively inexpensive.

aphthous ulcers

An ulceration of the lips, inside of the cheeks or tongue of unclear cause. Usually heals in about 10 days to 2 weeks.

bite wing

That T shaped piece of x-ray film which is held between your teeth. Used to check the condition of the teeth and their anchoring bone.

bridge

A type of fixed replacement for one to several missing teeth.  The two ends of the appliance are anchored to healthy teeth with the false teeth bridging the gap.

bruxism

A tendency, often unnoticed by the person who does it, to grind ones teeth together.  It can lead to the premature wearing out of ones teeth. Several treatments are available.

calculus

Plaque which has been in place for a while and calcified (absorbed minerals from saliva). Not only unattractive, but damages the gums, promoting periodontal disease.

cancer

A common problem in the mouth, face and neck.  Using tobacco of any sort or drinking too much are common causes.  Initial symptoms are changes in the color or texture of the skin or mucosa, or swelling.  Pain is not usually an early symptom.  Pain is most likely from infection of injury.

candiasis

Medical talk for thrush, a white film in the mouth caused by a fungal infection. Common and not serious in infants it can sometimes be a sign of more serious health problems in adults. 

canine

Those pointed teeth in the front of your mouth.  Very large in vampires.

caries

Medical talk for cavities, what happens when your teeth rot.

cheilosis

A type of irritation at the corners of your mouth, with cracking and redness.

cold sores

What health care professionals may call herpes simplex.  Cold sores are the result of a virus that has nothing to do with colds.  Though there are treatments, which can shorten an outbreak, the infection is for life.  Sometimes cold sores come back, sometimes not.

crown

Refers to the top part of the tooth.  An artificial crown can be attached to the tooth if the natural crown is excessively weakened by cavities or trauma.

dentin

The middle layer of a tooth between the enamel and the pulp.  Less mineralized than the enamel, this is a living tissue.  If a cavity progresses into the dentin it can grow faster than in the enamel.

dentures.

Store bought teeth. A full denture replaces all the teeth of the upper or lower jaw.  A partial denture is a removable replacement for a few teeth.

enamel

The outer and upper part of your teeth.  The enamel is formed before a tooth erupts and the body can not repair or rebuild enamel after it is damaged or lost.

fluoride

A mineral which strengthens the teeth, particularly if it is available in your food and water when you are a child and can be deposited by the body inside the teeth as they form.  The fluoride in toothpaste or gels only binds to a thin layer on the outside.

gingivitis

Medical speak for irritation or infection of the gums.  A major cause of tooth loss in adults.

glossitis

Inflammation or infection of the tongue.

halitosis

Medical speak for bad breath.  Many people worry too much about this one.  If you regularly brush, floss and see your dentist regularly, this is not usually an issue.  Ignore those commercials!  Typical causes of bad breath include poor oral hygiene, tobacco use, drinking too much, and some foods.  Mouthwash will not effect any of these.  Other problems too consider if a breath problem is new or gets worse are sinusitis (allergies or sinus infection), cavities, periodontal disease, or some diseases of the body. 

herpes simplex

Medical speak for cold sores. Caused by a virus that infects skin and nerve cells and causes often painful blistering and ulceration of the lips, gums or tongue.  Not the same as aphthous ulcers.  Several treatments available to reduce discomfort or suppress the infection.  No cures at this time.   Though the frequency of outbreaks of cold sores varies from person to person, the infection persists for life.

incisor

Those flat teeth up front and center of your smile.

leokoplakia

Painless white areas on the inside of the mouth, which are often caused by the use of smokeless tobacco.  Though usually harmless, the patches can be pre cancerous.

malocclusion

When the upper and lower teeth do not line up properly.  If the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly as the mouth closes, chewing is less effective and the teeth can become chipped or cracked.  A sudden change in occlusion can indicate a fractured tooth or jaw, or other damage or disease of the teeth or jaw.

molar

The large grinding teeth on the backsides of the jaws.

oral mucosa

Medical name for the pink lining of the inside of the mouth.

palate

The roof of the mouth. The hard bony part in the front of the mouth is the hard palate.  The soft moveable part of the roof in the back of the mouth is the soft palate.

papillae

The bumps on the top of the tongue.  These are not the taste buds which are too small to see by just looking at the tongue.

periodontal disease

Inflammation and damage involving the gums and other tissues supporting the teeth.  Mostly caused by poor oral hygiene, but diabetes, poor nutrition, some cancers and some medications are causes at times.  Leading cause of adult tooth loss.

plaque

The sticky film of food particles, bacteria and protein which forms on teeth.  It is initially transparent but will thicken and eventually turn into calculus if not removed by brushing after meals and flossing at least once daily.

pockets

When plaque and calculus are allowed to build up they irritate the gum and create small areas of separation between the teeth and gums.  These spaces are called pockets and they trap food and bacteria. An early stage of gingivitis. The irritation caused by pockets leads to more gum and tooth damage.

premolars

The large flat toped teeth on the sides of your mouth behind the canine teeth.

prosthodontics

The dental specialty dealing with dental implants, oral and facial prosthetics, and dentures.  See the page on prosthodontics.

pulp

The innermost part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels.  A cavity reaching the pulp can be very painful and if not treated by a root canal can lead to the loss of the tooth.  An infection in the pulp can cause septicemia, which is the spreading of infection into the blood.  This can damage the heart and kidneys.

roots

The lower part of the tooth which anchors the tooth into the jaw.

streptococcus mutans

A species of bacteria in every ones mouth and believed to be the one that creates the most damaging acids in plaque. There is on going research to develop a vaccine against these bacteria with the hope of eliminating most cavities.

uvula

That hanging down thing you can see in the back of your mouth.

TMJ

The temporomandibular joint. Where the lower jaw attaches to the skull.  Problems with the joint can cause facial pain, or in severe cases difficulty eating and speaking.

Michael A. Carpenter, D.D..S.  
1924 Clairmont Road 
Suite 100 
Decatur, Georgia 30033 
phone: (404) 325-1099 
Office hours by appointment.