Miscellaneous

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

The AAPD is the professional organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry, with over 7,500 members serving as primary care providers for millions of children.

American Dental Association

The ADA is the largest professional organization of dental professionals and a great source of information on dental and oral health topics.

Academy of General Dentistry

The AGD is an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing education and reliable consumer information.

Sonicare

Philips, the maker of Sonicare, is committed to creating technologies that lead to products for improving people’s lives. Philips Sonicare is backed by more than 140 abstracts representing clinical and laboratory studies at over 40 universities and research institutions worldwide.

Oral-B

Oral-B is the brand more dentists use themselves worldwide, and their fun and informative website provides access to many helpful and interesting articles on oral health topics, as well as special offers for Oral-B products.

-A-

Abscess - infection caused by severe tooth decay, trauma or gum disease

Amalgam - a silver and mercury material used for fillings

Anesthetic - a drug used by your doctor to eliminate a patient's localized pain during certain dental procedures

Anterior - the teeth in the front of your mouth

Apex - the very tip of the root of a tooth

Aspirator - a suction device your dentist uses to remove saliva from your mouth

-B-

Bonding - a plastic composite painted on the teeth to correct stains or damage

Bridge - one or more artificial teeth attached to your adjacent teeth

Bruxism - the clenching or grinding of teeth, most commonly while sleeping

-C-

Calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar

Canine - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals

Caries - another name for cavities or decayed teeth

Cavity - a tiny hole in the tooth caused by decay

Central - the two upper and two lower teeth in the center of the mouth

Crown - an artificial tooth or cover made of porcelain or metal

Cuspid - the pointy teeth just behind the laterals, also known as canines

-D-

Decalcification - the loss of calcium from the teeth

Dental Implants - an implant is attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth

Dentures - a removable set of artificial teeth

-E-

Enamel - the hard surface of the tooth above the gum line

Endodontist - a dentist who specializes in root canals and the treatment of diseases and infections of the dental pulp (inner tooth)

Extraction - the removal of a tooth or teeth

-F-

Filling - a plug made of metal or composite material used to fill a tooth cavity

Fluoride - a chemical solution used to harden teeth and prevent decay

-G-

Gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth

Gums - the firm flesh that surrounds the roots of the teeth

-I-

Impacted Tooth - often occurring with wisdom teeth, it is a tooth that sits sideways below the gum line, often requiring extraction

Incisor - one of the flat, sharp-edged teeth in the front of the mouth

Inlays - a custom-made filling cemented into an unhealthy tooth

-L-

Lateral - these are the teeth adjacent to the centrals

-N-

Night Guard - a plastic mouthpiece worn at night to prevent grinding of the teeth; also used to treat TMJ

-P-

Pedodontist - also known as a pediatric dentist, a dentist that specializes in the treatment of children's teeth

Periodontist - a dentist specializing in the treatment of gum disease

Plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay

Posterior Teeth - the teeth in the back of the mouth

Primary Teeth - also known as "baby teeth"

Prosthodontist - a dentist specializing in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth or severely damaged teeth

-R-

Root - the portion of the tooth below your gum line

Root Canal - cleaning out and filling the inside nerve of a tooth that is heavily decayed

-S-

Sealant - plastic coating applied to teeth to prevent decay. Used most commonly for children

Secondary Teeth - the permanent teeth

Sleep Apnea - a potentially serious disorder in which a sleeping person may stop breathing for 10 seconds or more, often continuously throughout the night

-T-

TMJ Syndrome - a disorder associated with the joint of the jaw, often caused by a misalignment of or a disparity in upper and lower jaw sizes.

Tooth Whitening - a process designed to whiten and brighten teeth

-V-

Veneer - a plastic, porcelain or composite material used to improve the attractiveness of a stained or damaged tooth