Are you confused about something that you’ve heard or read regarding dental health? Are you looking for more information on a specific term or topic? Use our glossary of dental terms to quickly navigate to the term or topic you’d like defined. If you’re still confused or feel like you don’t understand, it’s always a good idea to discuss any questions you might have with your dentist or oral hygienist. We’re always happy to talk with you about your dental health, to answer your questions, and to make sure you’re informed and comfortable.
A
Abrasion
Damage to the teeth caused by impact. Can be from accidents, jaw grinding or incorrect cleaning procedures.
Abscess
A local area of swollen tissue with a build-up of pus. Often presents on the gums as a symptom of tooth infection.
Acute
A painful illness which develops quickly and requires immediate treatment.
Acute
A painful illness which develops quickly and requires immediate treatment.
Aesthetic
Pertaining to beauty and appearance. In dentistry the aesthetic area is the area visible when a person smiles.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
Pre-medicating before treatment to prevent infection during the surgery.
Antibiotics
Medications which fight infection by killing bacteria.
Arch
See Dental Arch.
Attrition
The cumulative loss of tooth structure through natural wear.
B
Bleaching
The use of chemicals to lighten and remove stains from the teeth.
Bone Augmentation
Supporting implanted teeth by building up existing bone around the roots.
Braces
Orthodontic devices worn to straighten teeth and correct tooth position.
Bridge
See Dental Bridge.
C
Caries
Common name for tooth decay.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Services to improve smile aesthetics rather than dental health. See more information on cosmetic dentistry.
Crown
An artificial tooth which fits over the top of a natural tooth or implanted root. See more information on dental crowns.
D
Decay
The deterioration of tooth structure over time.
Deciduous Teeth
A child’s first teeth. Also known as primary or baby teeth.
Dental Erosion
The wearing away of dental enamel over time.
Dental Bridge
A device to fill the space left by missing teeth and prevent tooth movement. Can either be removable or fixed. See more information on dental bridges.
Dental Arch
The curved shape of the inside of the mouth.
Dentures
A set of artificial teeth which are removable as opposed to implanted.
E
Enamel
The natural hard coating which protects teeth.
Erosion
See Dental Erosion.
Extract
The removal of a natural tooth.
F
Floss
Treated nylon string used to remove food residue and clean between teeth.
Fluoride
A mineral reputed to help prevent tooth decay. It is often added to toothpastes and, sometimes, to public water supplies.
Fluoride Varnish
A fluoride-based liquid which hardens when painted on to teeth and imitates natural enamel.
G
Gingivitis
Temporary inflammation of gum tissue, often caused by poor dental hygiene or infection.
Gingival
Pertaining to the gums.
Gum Disease
Ongoing gum infections causing pain, swelling and bleeding to the gums. If left untreated it can cause permanent damage to gums, teeth and connective tissue. Medically known as Periodontal Disease.
H
Halitosis
Unpleasant breath odor caused by dental infections.
Hygiene
See Oral Hygiene.
Hygienist
See Oral Hygienist.
I
Intraoral
Pertaining to the inside of the mouth.
Implant
An artificial tooth root which is surgically implanted in the jaw bone. See more information on dental implants.
J
Jaw
The common and accepted word for both the maxilla and the mandible bones.
M
Molars
The large, strong teeth used to chew food.
Malocclusion
A diagnosis given when teeth do not line up on the jawbone. There may be gaps, over or under-bite or crookedness. This is often treated by an orthodontist.
N
NSAIDs
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs; a group of medications which relieve mild pain. Generally sold over the counter without requiring a prescription.
Night Guard
Worn to prevent dental damage from grinding or gnashing one’s teeth during sleep.
Nerves
The tissue which conveys sensations, particularly pain, to the brain.
O
Opioids
Medicines used to relieve strong pain. Only administered by prescription and usually only under close supervision because of their possible side effects and addictive properties.
Oral
Anything pertaining to the mouth and teeth.
Oral Hygiene
The practice of keeping the mouth clean and free of infection. It can include brushing, the use mouthwash or dental floss, and having the teeth and mouth cleaned by a dental hygienist.
Oral Hygienist
A dental professional who specializes in keeping the mouth hygienic and preventing infection. Also educates clients on how to maintain oral hygiene between dentist visits.
Orthodontic Treatment
Treatment to correct malocclusion and to straighten and realign teeth. Braces are a common orthodontic treatment applied in the teenage years.
P
Peri-Implantitis
An infection which develops around the site of an implant. Commonly known as bone loss.
Periodontal Disease
See Gum Disease.
Periodontitis
A severe form of gum disease which can lead to tooth loss.
Plaque
A layer of bacteria which forms constantly on the teeth and should be removed by regular brushing.
Prophylaxis
A professional dental cleaning service to remove plaque build-up or stains from tooth structures.
Pulp
The nerves and blood supply to teeth.
R
Radiograph
See X-Ray.
Recession
Plaque build-up causing the gums to pull away from the teeth.
Root Canal Treatment
Used to treat serious tooth infection, decay and irreparable damage. The procedure involves removing the blood supply and nerves of the tooth. The damaged tooth is then filled, reshaped or covered with a crown. See more information on root canal treatment.
S
Stomatitis
A slight irritation to the soft tissues of the mouth, including the lips, gums, tongue, cheeks and the floor or roof of the mouth.
Staining
Discoloration to the surface of the teeth. Is often accelerated of excessive tobacco smoking or tea and coffee intake; but it is a natural part of the aging process.
Sealant
A protective coating made of thin plastic applied to molars. These help to protect teeth from cavities by preventing residual food from being packed into the tooth surface.
T
Topical
Medications or anesthetics applied to the skin or gums, rather than being inserted into the blood stream.
Therapeutic
Pertaining to beneficial treatments and therapies.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
Painful conditions of the jaw bone. (Abbreviated as TMD)
Tartar
A hard, calcium-like build-up on the teeth, caused by inadequate oral hygiene and poor plaque control.
U
Unerupted Tooth
A tooth which is still below the gums and has not yet pushed through. The process of “teething” can be very painful for babies as their deciduous teeth come through.
V
Veneer
Artificial coverings for the front of the teeth. Used to hide staining and improve aesthetic. See more information on veneers.
W
Wisdom Teeth
The third and final molars to come through, usually in early adulthood. They often cause severe pain and need to be surgically removed.
X
Xerostomia
A condition where saliva production is inhibited, often causing a dry mouth or a burning sensation.
X-Ray
A photograph of the inside of the bones and teeth. Used to diagnose cavities and fractures.
Z
Zinc
A key nutrient for fighting infection throughout the body.
Additional Resources
If you’d like to learn more about dentistry and dental terms, the websites below can provide further information and additional insight into how your mouth works and some of the dental treatments that are commonly used.
