Is a White Tongue a Sign of Dental Problems? Understanding the Causes
White tongue My tongue is white... but I heard that a white tongue is not good. Is that true? Shouldn't the tongue be a bit red?
Dr. Wu Jinjun Reply:
Hello: A normal tongue is light pink in color. If the dorsal surface of the tongue appears white, it may be due to the accumulation of debris or dental plaque, and it should be cleaned thoroughly. If it still looks very white after cleaning, it is recommended that you visit a hos...[Read More] Is a White Tongue a Sign of Dental Problems? Understanding the Causes
Managing TMJ Pain: Effective Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
What can I do to help it get better? Hello Director Liu, I have been suffering from temporomandibular joint pain for about three to four years. Since last year, I have started treatment, but I have only been taking medication. The prescriptions from my doctor include muscle rela...
Dr. Liu Tiancai Reply:
Hello: The chewing action (as well as speech articulation) is facilitated by the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) located in front of the ear and the surrounding muscles that open and close the mouth, which work to grind the upper and lower teeth. When the dental occlusion is misali...[Read More] Managing TMJ Pain: Effective Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
Understanding Gum Swelling: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Gum swelling is unbearable? Hello Doctor, my mother has been suffering from gum swelling for the past six months. She experiences sharp pain when her upper and lower teeth touch, and she has slight swelling in her cheeks. The middle and back parts of her tongue have lost their co...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
The primary cause of gum swelling is inflammation resulting from infection of the periodontal tissues (including both soft and hard tissues), which can lead to bleeding. Since this affects the supporting structures of the teeth, the most immediate impact is weakened chewing abili...[Read More] Understanding Gum Swelling: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Understanding Recurrent Tongue Coating Loss: Possible Causes and Cancer Screening
The tongue coating repeatedly disappears from the same location? I would like to consult a doctor about my tongue coating. Since November of last year, it started to disappear in the same area and gradually expanded until the right third of my tongue almost completely vanished. T...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
The so-called geographic tongue may refer to the filiform papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue. When the filiform papillae desquamate, it can form one or several irregularly shaped red areas of varying sizes, with a white border surrounding them, resembling the outline of...[Read More] Understanding Recurrent Tongue Coating Loss: Possible Causes and Cancer Screening
Understanding Painful White Bumps on Your Tongue: Causes and Solutions
There is a white spot on the tongue? Hello doctor, I have a white spot on my tongue that hurts when I touch it. I have developed three of these spots and have already removed them with my fingers. What could this be a symptom of?
Dr. Lin Qingye Reply:
Hello Mr. Dan: The symptoms on the tongue can have many possible causes, including systemic diseases and dietary habits. A correct diagnosis and management should be based on clinical symptoms. It is recommended that you visit a nearby dental clinic or make time to come to our ho...[Read More] Understanding Painful White Bumps on Your Tongue: Causes and Solutions
Understanding Oral Blood Blisters: Causes and When to See a Dentist
Oral blister formation? Hello Doctor: I would like to ask you about an oral issue. For the past 1 to 2 years, I often develop blood blisters when eating, which appear like a bubble filled with blood, most commonly on my tongue. I frequently have to puncture them to relieve the di...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Oral mucosa often presents with vesicles, which may be caused by mechanical irritation, viral infections (such as herpes simplex virus), or autoimmune diseases manifesting symptoms in the oral mucosa. For instance, sharp edges of teeth or poorly fitting dentures can cause mechani...[Read More] Understanding Oral Blood Blisters: Causes and When to See a Dentist
Understanding Oral Ulcers: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Oral ulceration Hello, doctor: The area under my tongue has developed severe ulcers. A biopsy was performed on March 16. From what I found online, the pathology department can provide the results of this test. Why does the report take a week? I am very concerned about the possibi...
Dr. Wang Cunzhen Reply:
Hello, Jia: I think you may not have understood the content on the website, or it may not have explained it in detail. Pathological examination of tissue samples is different from routine blood tests. A routine blood test only requires adding a reagent and waiting for 30 minutes ...[Read More] Understanding Oral Ulcers: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Why Do I Keep Biting My Tongue? Dental Misalignment Explained
Frequent tongue biting? Hello Dr. Wu, I often bite the right side of my tongue. When I open my mouth, I notice that my lower right incisor is protruding, causing asymmetry between the lower right and lower left sides. My tongue tends to touch the right wisdom tooth first. Should ...
Dr. Wu Jinjun Reply:
Hello, the oral mucosa (including the lips and tongue) can easily undergo pathological changes when subjected to long-term external stimuli (such as dentures or misaligned teeth). In rare cases, lesions may have the potential to develop into cancer. Therefore, it is recommended t...[Read More] Why Do I Keep Biting My Tongue? Dental Misalignment Explained
Understanding Mouth Ulcers: Causes, Concerns, and Solutions
Mouth ulcer Hello Dr. Tseng, I often experience mouth sores, especially recently when one wound heals, another one appears, or I accidentally bite another area. This has been ongoing for two months, with only one or two days in which my mouth was completely free of sores. I have ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
"Oral ulcers," commonly referred to as "mouth sores," can occur due to various reasons, including traumatic oral ulcers caused by dental misalignment, which leads to occlusal interference, or sharp edges from broken teeth and cavities that can injure the oral ...[Read More] Understanding Mouth Ulcers: Causes, Concerns, and Solutions
Understanding Issues with Your New Dentures: What to Do Next
The dentures are ready... but..? Hello, Doctor. I had a prosthetic front tooth placed by my dentist, and after it was installed, I noticed that the inner side has a protrusion that feels different from the left and right teeth. Let me describe the situation: 1. Normally, when my ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
The function of dentures is to restore normal occlusal function in areas where teeth are missing. The fabrication of dentures involves a complex process that includes tooth preparation, impression taking, casting, and try-in. During these processes, some discrepancies may inevita...[Read More] Understanding Issues with Your New Dentures: What to Do Next
Understanding Oral Lesions: What Could That Red Spot Be?
Oral lesions? The doctor recently noticed a small red spot on the right buccal mucosa while brushing his teeth, approximately less than 0.1 cm in diameter. It feels slightly raised when touched with the tongue, and the surface appears relatively smooth without any pain. This rais...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Early lesions of oral cancer generally include leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and carcinoma in situ, which have a higher likelihood of transforming into oral cancer. Leukoplakia or erythroplakia may present as rough surfaces on the oral mucosa, accompanied b...[Read More] Understanding Oral Lesions: What Could That Red Spot Be?
Understanding Post-Operative Concerns After Intentional Replantation
Intentional replantation surgery Hello Doctor: Thank you for your response. I apologize for having more questions to ask you. I underwent intentional replantation surgery on my upper left second premolar in late November. Recently, I have been feeling that this tooth, along with ...
Dr. Liu Tiancai Reply:
Hello: Intentional replantation is a treatment method typically used when conventional non-surgical root canal therapy is ineffective and when apical surgery poses difficulties. The procedure involves extracting the tooth and promptly performing apicoectomy and retrograde filling...[Read More] Understanding Post-Operative Concerns After Intentional Replantation
Understanding Unusual Tongue Symptoms: Causes and Concerns
My tongue feels strange? Hello, Doctor. First, please take a look at the photo of my tongue: http://home.pchome.com.tw/magi/b2233566/123/DSC00579.JPG. The area I have circled in blue has no papillae on the surface of the tongue. Sometimes the area is quite large, and other times ...
Dr. Liu Tiancai Reply:
Hello: The photo is a bit blurry, but it appears that the sides of the tongue are red. There are many possible causes for this appearance of the tongue, and it would be easier to assess with a direct examination. It could be that other areas of the tongue are whiter, making the s...[Read More] Understanding Unusual Tongue Symptoms: Causes and Concerns
How to Heal a Burned Tongue: Tips for Recovery After a Week
I have been burned? I burned my tongue a few days ago while drinking freshly made soup, and it hasn't healed even after a week. It still hurts a lot even with a light touch. What can I do to help it heal?
Dr. Yang Hui Reply:
Burns that are more severe will take longer to heal. If you feel uncomfortable, you can visit a dentist to obtain an oral ointment, which can be applied locally for relief. Additionally, avoid consuming spicy foods and ensure that soups are not too hot to prevent further burns. T...[Read More] How to Heal a Burned Tongue: Tips for Recovery After a Week
Can Tongue Coating Cause Bad Breath? Understanding Oral Health Issues
Can a coated tongue cause bad breath? Dear Dr. Chen, I have been suffering from halitosis for over 20 years. Dr. Andy Sun from National Taiwan University said there are no issues with my oral cavity, and the dentist confirmed that my teeth are fine (that tartar does not cause lo...
Dr. Chen Yingfang Reply:
Hello, please come to the outpatient clinic for a consultation. Thank you![Read More] Can Tongue Coating Cause Bad Breath? Understanding Oral Health Issues
Understanding Oral Mucosal Growths: When to Seek Dental Care
Oral issues Hello; I have a cauliflower-like growth on the mucosa of the lower right side of my mouth, which feels rough when I touch it with my tongue. It has an area of about 2 centimeters and is distributed in a spot-like manner. I believe this has been present for at least th...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
A cauliflower-like granular growth has appeared on the right lower oral mucosa, and there is a rough sensation when the tongue touches it, with a dotted distribution, but it is neither painful nor itchy. This could potentially be oral lichen planus or oral leukoplakia. Oral liche...[Read More] Understanding Oral Mucosal Growths: When to Seek Dental Care
Understanding Dental Issues: When to Fill or Extract a Tooth?
Dental issues Hello! I apologize for asking a question. Do people generally have two sets of teeth in their lifetime? This applies to both incisors and molars, right? I have a tooth at the back that seems to be decayed and damaged. It hurts a lot when I eat hot or cold food, and ...
Dr. Chen Yingfang Reply:
Hello! 1. There are a total of 20 primary teeth, while there are 32 permanent teeth; primary teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth. 2. If cavities are deep, they must be treated. 3. I don't know what those small black foreign objects are, so please visit a dentist to hav...[Read More] Understanding Dental Issues: When to Fill or Extract a Tooth?
Understanding Oral Health: What Are White Lines and Other Symptoms?
White line? Hello, Doctor: I'm not sure if it's an issue with my bite or something else, but both sides of my mouth keep getting bitten by my teeth, and even my lips and tongue get bitten, causing me to lose some skin, which is extremely painful! Yesterday, I went to th...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Oral lichen planus, commonly known as "white lines," is a condition that frequently occurs on the buccal mucosa or the lateral mucosa of the tongue. Clinically, one can observe white striations or a reticular pattern on the buccal or lateral tongue mucosa, accompanied b...[Read More] Understanding Oral Health: What Are White Lines and Other Symptoms?
Can Tongue Coating Cause Bad Breath? Understanding Oral Health Issues
Can a coated tongue cause bad breath? Dear Dr. Tseng, Recently, I saw a television advertisement stating that tongue coating can affect oral taste and cause bad breath. I have been experiencing bad breath for over 20 years (since middle school, when others informed me about it)....
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
The causes of halitosis can be divided into external and internal factors. External factors refer to poor oral hygiene, which allows bacteria in the mouth to ferment food residues left in the oral cavity, producing volatile sulfur compounds that lead to a distinct odor. This incl...[Read More] Can Tongue Coating Cause Bad Breath? Understanding Oral Health Issues
Understanding Oral Wounds: Is That White Spot with a Black Dot Normal?
My question? A week ago, I developed a sore in the upper right part of my mouth. After a week of using medication, the wound is healing, but there is a white area in the center with a black dot. Is this normal? Additionally, I frequently get sores; is this also normal, or could i...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
If wounds frequently appear on the oral mucosa, it may be commonly referred to as "mouth sores," which are also known as recurrent aphthous ulcers. The frequency of these outbreaks varies from person to person, occurring every few weeks or months, and can affect any are...[Read More] Understanding Oral Wounds: Is That White Spot with a Black Dot Normal?