Hyperdontia is a condition in which a person has an excessive amount of teeth (more than 20 primary teeth or 32 permanent teeth), which can also be referred to as supernumerary teeth or extra teeth. The cause of hyperdontia is unknown. Treatment can involve tooth removal. Read more: What Is Hyperdontia? Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
Oral Health: 15 Conditions That Make Your Teeth Hurt
Got aching teeth? Your pain may be coming from somewhere other than your choppers.
Dental Health: Diseases Caused by Unhealthy Teeth and Gums
Is your mouth healthy? Teeth and gums can warn you about diseases like diabetes, anemia, and osteoporosis. Find out why gum...
Picture of Wisdom Teeth
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that most people get in their late teens or early twenties. The human jaw has...
Picture of Teeth Whitening
Many teeth-whitening systems are available, including whitening toothpastes, over-the-counter gels, rinses, strips, and trays,...
Picture of Teeth
The teeth are the hardest substances in the human body. See a picture of the Teeth and learn more about the health topic.
IMAGESSee pictures of dental procedures and oral health conditions See Images
Related Disease Conditions
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis. Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Cysts are sac-like structures that may be filled with gas, liquid, or solid materials. Cysts may produce symptoms and signs depending on their location. Treatment of a cyst depends upon what caused the cyst in the first place.
Teething in babies typically starts between 4 and 10 months of age. Symptoms and signs of cutting teeth include rash, drooling, decreased sleeping, fussiness, bringing the hands to the mouth, and rubbing the cheek or ear. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used to treat teething pain. Do not give aspirin to babies or children due to a condition called Reye's syndrome, which can be deadly.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that people get in their late teens or early twenties. Impacted wisdom teeth that only partially erupt allows for an opening for bacteria to enter around the tooth and cause an infection, which results in pain, swelling, jaw stiffness, and general illness. Before your wisdom teeth are pulled, the teeth and the surrounding tissue will be numbed with a local anesthetic. Recovery from wisdom tooth removal depends upon the difficulty of the extraction.
Ehlers-Danlos syndromes are genetic disorders that include symptoms such as loose joints, tissue weakness, easy bruising, and skin that stretches easily. There are seven types of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes: classical type, hypermobility type, vascular type, kyphoscoliosis type, arthrochalsia type, dermatosparaxis type, and tenascin-X deficient type. Treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndromes depends on which symptoms and signs are present.
What Does It Mean When You Dream About Your Teeth Falling Out and Crumbling?
Teeth often represent our strengths, abilities, and pride. Dreaming about your teeth falling out may represent fears of being powerless. You may have bizarre dreams about either losing one of your teeth or all. The dreams could probably indicate your inability to hold things together in life or fears or anxieties you’re battling with.
Protect Your Teeth: 19 Bad Dental Habits to Avoid
Bad dental habits can wreck your teeth. Teeth grinding, chewing on ice, playing sports without a mouth guard, and eating and drinking sugary foods and drinks are just a few bad habits that are bad for teeth. Giving nighttime baby bottles, opening things with your teeth, and chewing on pencils can also damage teeth and tissues in the mouth. Drinking red wine and white wine can erode enamel and stain teeth. Smoking, tobacco use, drinking coffee can all lead to tooth stains. Binge eating disorder leads to the consumption of large amounts of sugary food, which can lead to tooth decay. Purging exposes teeth to acids that can wear down enamel.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress or anxiety and often happens during sleep. Symptoms and signs include jaw pain, headache, and abnormalities in your teeth. Treatment may involve practicing stress-management techniques, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding gum chewing, training oneself not to grind the teeth, and wearing a mouth guard.
Cleidocranial dysplasia is a genetic condition. Cleidocranial dysplasia is also referred to as cleidocranial dysostosis and cleidocranial dysostosis. Cleidocranial dysplasia primarily affects bone and teeth development. Symptoms and signs may vary widely with severity. The RUNX2 is the gene that is related to cleidocranial dysplasia. Cleidocranial dysplasia is an autosomal dominant pattern inherited condition.
Gardner's Syndrome (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis)
Gardners' syndrome, or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), is an inherited condition in which cancer of the colon and rectum develop. Colon polyps and growths may develop as early as the teens. If these polyps are not removed, they will become cancerous. There are different inheritance patterns for familial adenomatous polyposis.
Cleft Palate and Cleft Lip
Cleft palate and cleft lip are facial and oral defects that occur early in pregnancy. A cleft lip is a split of the two sides of the upper lip, and a cleft palate is a split in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip the fourth most common birth defect in the U.S. Repair of a cleft palate or cleft lip may require multiple surgeries.
Is a Mouthguard Good for Your Teeth?
Mouthguards or mouth protectors are coverings worn over teeth. They protect your teeth from injuries. A mouthguard acts as a cushion to minimize the impact of trauma or a blow to the face. Thus, they lower the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the lips, tongue, face, or jaw.
Local ResourcesFind a local Doctor in your town
Treatment & Diagnosis
Prevention & Wellness
Subscribe to MedicineNet's General Health Newsletter