Bad breath is a frequent issue that affects people of all ages. Bad breath (halitosis) is considered to affect one out of every four people on a regular basis. Generally, improving your dental hygiene is enough to cure bad breath and prevent it from recurring (see preventing bad breath).

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Broken or knocked-out tooth

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Blood

When a tooth is knocked out, it must be treated right away. If it’s an adult tooth, try to put it back in place and see a dentist right away. Do not attempt to replace a knocked-out baby tooth; instead, take your child to the dentist right away.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Cleft lip and palate

Symptoms Include:
Malformation | Difficulty feeding | Reduced hearing | Speech problems

A cleft in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth is a gap or split in the skin (palate). It is present from the moment you are born. Parts of the baby’s face didn’t connect together properly during growth in the womb, resulting in the gap.

Cold sore (herpes simplex virus)

Symptoms Include:
Itch | Tingling Undefined | Skin lesions

Small blisters appear on the lips or around the mouth and are known as cold sores. The herpes simplex virus is to blame. Cold sores normally go away on their own in 10 to 14 days if they aren’t treated.

Dental abscess

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Temperature

A dental abscess is an accumulation of pus in your teeth or gums. As a result of a bacterial infection, it develops. A dental abscess can afflict anyone with teeth, including toddlers and adults.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Symptoms Include:
Cavities | Receding Gums | Bad Breath | Mouth Ulcers

Dental hygiene is crucial. Problems with your teeth or gums can be painful and should be investigated. This page contains information on some of the most prevalent conditions that can cause dental difficulties, as well as how to keep your teeth and gums in the best possible condition.

Dry mouth

Symptoms Include:
Dry mouth

A dry mouth is almost never an indication of anything serious. There are certain things you can do to help yourself feel better (see the section on things to help ease a dry mouth). If these don’t work or you have other symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Epiglottitis

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Difficulty swallowing | Shortness of breath | Temperature

Epiglottitis is a condition in which the epiglottis becomes inflamed and swells. It’s usually caused by an infection, although it can also be caused by a throat injury. Epiglottitis is a serious medical condition. If you or your child gets epiglottitis, call 999 for an ambulance (see symptoms section).

Gum disease

Symptoms Include:
Redness | Swelling | Blood | Bad breath

Gum disease is a frequent disorder in which the gums swell, become irritated, or get infected. If your gums are sore, puffy, or bleed when you wash your teeth, you should see a dentist.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Symptoms Include:
Blisters | Rash | Mouth ulcers | Pain

Hand, foot, and mouth disease primarily affects children under the age of ten, with the majority of cases occurring in children under the age of four. It has the potential to impact adults. It’s a viral infection that normally clears up on its own in 7 to 10 days without the need for antibiotics.

Lichen planus

Symptoms Include:
Skin lesions | White patches | Itch | Abnormal nails

Lichen planus is a non-infectious rash that can appear anywhere on your body, even inside your mouth. If you suspect you have it, you should see your doctor.

Related Conditions:

Penis problems

Metallic taste in the mouth

Symptoms Include:
Metallic taste in the mouth

A metallic taste on the tongue is usually not serious and can be a sign of a variety of issues. Treatment will be determined by the underlying reason. If the taste persists if there is no evident cause, you should see a doctor.

Mouth cancer (oral cancer)

Symptoms Include:
Mouth ulcers | Lump | Numbness | Discolouration

Oral cancer is another name for mouth cancer. The majority of instances affect people between the ages of 50 and 74. If you develop symptoms (see below) that don’t go away after three weeks, consult your doctor or dentist, especially if you drink or smoke heavily.

Related Conditions:

Cancer

Mouth ulcers

Symptoms Include:
Pain

Mouth ulcers are sores that occur in the mouth and are uncomfortable. Even though they’re unpleasant, they’re normally harmless and will go away on their own. They’re frequent, and they’re usually treatable at home without the need to consult your dentist or doctor. Unless your ulcer has been present for more than three weeks, see your pharmacist first.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Mucositis

Symptoms Include:
Ulcers | Pain | Diarrhoea | Blood

When your mouth or gut is sore and inflamed, you have mucositis. It’s a typical side effect of cancer treatments including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It can be quite unpleasant, but it normally goes away within a few weeks.

Oral thrush in babies

Symptoms Include:
White patches | Redness | Pain | Difficulty feeding

Oral thrush is a fungal illness in the mouth that affects newborns and young children. It’s usually painless and simple to treat. See the section on when to seek medical advice.

Oral thrush in adults

Symptoms Include:
White patches | Redness | Pain | Sour taste

A fungal infection of the mouth is known as oral thrush. Antifungal medication is usually effective in treating it. If you experience symptoms of oral thrush, you should see a doctor.

Related Conditions:

Thrush in men | Vaginal thrush

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV)

Symptoms Include:
Blistering | Pain | Ulceration | Mouth ulcers

PV is a rare but serious disorder that causes painful blisters to form on the skin and lining of the mouth, nose, throat, and genitals. If you develop severe or recurring blisters or sores in your mouth or on your skin, see a doctor to have your symptoms assessed.

Quinsy

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Swelling | Difficulty swallowing | Problems speaking

Quinsy, commonly known as a peritonsillar abscess, is an uncommon and potentially fatal tonsillitis complication. If you or your child has quinsy symptoms, you should see a doctor.

Salivary gland stones

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Swelling

Salivary gland stones are tiny stones that occur in your mouth’s salivary glands. They have the potential to obstruct your salivary flow. They’re usually not dangerous, and you might be able to get rid of them yourself.

Sore or dry lips

Symptoms Include:
Cracked lips | Pain

When your lips are exposed to the sun, wind, or cold air, they can get chapped and dry. A lip balm with petroleum or beeswax acts as a barrier and helps to keep moisture in.

Sore or painful tongue

Symptoms Include:
Pain

Something evident and noticeable frequently causes a sore or uncomfortable tongue. A few less obvious issues may need to be addressed. If you experience persistent pain and haven’t accidentally bitten or burned your tongue, see a doctor or dentist.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Sore throat

Symptoms Include:
Sore throat

Sore throats are fairly frequent, and they are usually not a cause for concern. They usually improve within a week. The majority of them are caused by simple illnesses like colds or flu, which may be treated at home.

Snoring

Symptoms Include:
Snoring

Snoring is a relatively common occurrence that is typically caused by nothing significant. Simple lifestyle modifications, as shown, can help you stop or lessen snoring.

Related Conditions:

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)

Teeth grinding

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Headache | Earache | Insomnia

Stress and anxiety are frequently linked to teeth grinding and jaw clenching. It isn’t always accompanied by symptoms. Some people experience facial pain as well as headaches. It has the potential to wear down your teeth over time. Check with your dentist to see whether you’re grinding your teeth. If you suspect it’s stress-related, see a doctor.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

Symptoms Include:
Pain | Grinding joint | Reduced movement | Headache

TMD is a condition that affects the ‘chewing’ muscles and the joints that connect the lower jaw to the base of the skull. Consult a dentist for a diagnosis if you suspect you have TMD. If the condition isn’t caused by a dental issue, see a doctor.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia)

Symptoms Include:
Difficulty feeding | Difficulty speaking

Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the skin strip connecting the baby’s tongue to the floor of the mouth is shorter than it should be. If you’re worried about your baby’s feeding, see your health visitor, midwife, or GP.

Tonsillitis

Symptoms Include:
Sore throat | Difficulty swallowing | Hoarseness | Temperature

Tonsillitis is a bacterial illness that produces a painful throat and tonsil swelling. It can affect people of all ages, although it is more common in children under the age of five. After a few days, it normally fades away on its own. If not, get help.

Related Conditions:

Abscess

Toothache

Symptoms Include:
Pain

Toothache is pain that develops in and around the teeth and jaws as a result of tooth decay. If you have a toothache that lasts more than one or two days, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The more you wait, the more serious it will get.

Related Conditions:

Dental problems

Whooping cough

Symptoms Include:
Cough | Runny nose | Red eye | Sore throat

Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial chest infection. It produces frequent coughing fits and can make newborns and little children very sick. The number of instances has risen in recent years. However, because of a vaccination programme that can protect babies and children from the disease, it is still uncommon.

Related Conditions:

Cough | Chest infection

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