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The DIY Dentist

7 maladies of the mouth and how to treat them -- yourself

 SENSITIVE TEETH

Cause: Exposed nerve roots, often from receding gums.


Treatment: Lay off the whitening, tartar-control, and baking-soda toothpastes -- they're abrasive and can contain phosphates, which make teeth sensitive. Don't brush too hard, which can lead to other dental problems, such as recessed gums, says Sherri Worth, D.D.S., a celebrity cosmetic dentist. If pain persists, visit your dentist for a prescription fluoride treatment to toughen up your choppers.

 

LOST TOOTH

Causes: Dikembe Mutombo, inline skates, Jell-O shots, or all three

Treatment: Rinse it off and push it back in right away, then bite down gently on a soft cloth or moistened tea bag to hold it in place. Knocking out a tooth tears the periodontal ligaments, but some might still cling to the tooth. If reconnected early enough, they can reattach to the gums.

The tooth will feel strong in a few days and could be good as new in a month or two, says Dr. Worth. Want to make sure? See a dentist.

 

BURNED PALATE

Causes: Hot pizza, impatience

Treatment: You might not think this can cause dental problems, but burning the roof of your mouth softens the tissue, making it more prone to infection, says Pia Lieb, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in New York City. She recommends using Kenalog in Orabase, a corticosteroid paste that creates a protective coating on the burn and speeds healing.

 

BURNED TONGUE

Cause: Hot coffee, improper flame-breathing technique

Treatment: Rinse your mouth with a solution of 1 teaspoon of salt and a cup of warm water. "It's actually very soothing," says Dr. Worth. The salt can draw infection to the surface of the tissue, where the body eliminates it, and salt helps neutralize the acidic environment that fosters bacteria.

 

JAW SORENESS

Cause: Possibly temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, which can lead to splitting headaches marked by pain radiating down the front of your ears to your jaw. The improper alignment of your jaw leads to unconscious grinding of the teeth, often at night.

Treatment: "Your muscles are looking to find comfort, so you move your jaw around constantly," Dr. Lieb says. Try sleeping on your side or back with a supportive pillow, instead of facedown.

 

CANKER SORE

Cause: There are numerous possible causes -- but Cap'n Crunch, Doritos, salsa, and other sharp and spicy foods can further irritate the sore. Avoid mixing them.

Treatment: Apply vegetable oil to a cotton ball and hold it against the sore three or four times a day. "The oil helps coat the sore and protect it from irritation," says Mary Ellen Camire, Ph.D., a Men's Health nutrition advisor.

 

CHIPPED OR CRACKED TEETH

Cause: Temperature disparity that occurs when you bite into hot food then swig an ice-cold drink. "Between the expansion and contraction, cracks will form on your enamel," says Richard Price, D.M.D., a consumer advisor for the American Dental Association.

Treatment: A chip can be the San Andreas Fault; your tooth can be California, sliding gently into the ocean. Or the chip or crack could simply leave you susceptible to infection and decay. A dentist can bond or seal the tooth, repairing chips while keeping your choppers safe from ending up a dental dead zone.