Loss of sensation in the face can be an alarming symptom, especially if it occurs suddenly. Sensation from the face is transmitted through branches of the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. Sensory loss to the face can be an isolated...
Anesthetics are used to prevent you from experiencing pain during surgery. Anesthetics can be used on an area of a person's body---called a local anesthetic---or on the entire body for major surgery. Anesthetics also can prevent the body from...
The 12 cranial nerves control the muscles of the face, receive sensory input from the face, control heart rate and respiration, and transmit the special senses--vision, smell and hearing--to the brain. According to "Harrison's Principles of...
Sensations from the face are carried by the trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth cranial nerve, and ends up in a nucleus extending from the midbrain to the upper reaches of the spinal cord. The two sides of the face are each controlled by its own...
You're enjoying a business dinner with the boss. When you ordered the seafood tempura, you specifically ask the waiter if there is any lobster in the dish, and he answered "no." About a half hour after dinner, your face blows-up like a Puffer...
Novocaine is a medication commonly used during dental procedures as a local anesthetic. It works by blocking the neural transmissions of local pain receptors to prevent pain sensations. Healthcare professionals sometimes utilize this drug as an...
A pain in the neck can be a real medical problem or a euphemism for an annoying person, but for many sufferers, neck and jaw pain go hand in hand. Any part of the neck from the muscles, nerves or vertebrae can be affected and may cause discomfort...
If your tooth starts hurting in the middle of the night or on the weekend when your dentist's office is closed, you might need to rely on home remedies and over-the-counter medication to reduce your pain until you can make a dental appointment.
Pain from a toothache can often feel worse than a migraine. Facial nerve pain travels from the teeth to the brain and causes misery for the sufferer. When you can't wait on a doctor's appointment and your teeth and head throb, turn to a few home...
Dental extractions, although uncomfortable, are sometimes necessary. If your tooth is broken, cracked or decayed to the extent that it can't be repaired, or if periodontal disease has damaged supporting bone to the extent that the tooth is...
Novocain, which is the brand name for procaine, is a local anesthetic that desensitizes the skin and mucous membranes. It is perhaps most known for its use during dental work to numb pain caused by contact with nerves in the mouth and gums. Today,...
A small tree in the laurel family, sassafras, or Sassafras albidum, is native to eastern regions of the United States, where it thrives in wooded areas. At maturity, the sassafras tree reaches a height of 75 feet. The roots and the bark of the...
Gum disease, more commonly known as gingivitis or periodontitis, is an inflammation and infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. This condition is caused when the bacteria that reside in plaque multiply and invade your gums, first...
Dental work often involves the extraction of teeth or cutting into the oral tissue. Because this can be painful dentists typically use anesthetics to diminish the pain at the time of the operation. Most dentists use local anesthesia, which is the...
Orajel is the brand name for topical benzocaine. According to Drugs.com, Orajel is a topical medication that provides relief against pain caused by cold sores, baby teething, canker sores and toothaches. Orajel acts quickly to relieve those...
Teething usually begins around 6 months of age, and while the first is usually the worst, some babies have a difficult time with each new tooth. When the pain is severe, it may interfere with baby's sleep, leading to a horrible cycle of increased...
When your dentist suggests you need deep cleaning of your teeth, you want to know what to expect. Deep cleaning, also called scaling and root planing, is a process of cleaning plaque that has built up on the roots of teeth beneath the gum line....
Your mouth is very sensitive, and the process of eating is more complicated than you may realize. Think about trying to swallow something when your mouth is numb from a dental procedure. For children with sensory processing challenges, eating can...
The teeth consist of a very hard outer enamel layer, an inner calcified dentin layer that supports the tooth and an inner pulp layer, make up of cells and nerve tissue. The structure of the tooth can decay over time as a result of exposure to...
Mouth pain is one of the most common symptoms in children. It can be caused by a number of problems ranging from a mild injury to a serious infection. If your child complains of mouth pain, examine her mouth and ask her about the specific location...
A toothache is generally a symptom of a greater problem, such as tooth decay. It's very important to see a dentist about tooth pain as soon as it becomes an issue. That said, there are several folk remedies for toothaches that can ease pain until...
Most of your pregnant body's changes are evident as it adapts to accept your baby's growth and development. However, you may not consider how your dental health affects your pregnancy. Proper dental care preserves your teeth during the changes...
Skin numbing medications fall under a group of products known as topical local anesthetics. These products are designed to deaden or block signals from the nerve endings of your skin, disabling the skin's ability to feel pain. Topical local...
Visiting the dentist for a dental procedure can be a nerve-racking experience, especially if you have not seen the dentist in a long time. One way to feel less anxious about your experience is to understand what types of dental instruments the...
Canker sores are irritating mouth ulcers that feature a white, yellow or gray center ringed by a flat, red border. Doctors and dentists don't know exactly what causes them. Fatigue, stress and diet are just a few of the factors implicated by the...
People should visit the dentist every six months for preventative care, according to the Nemours hospital network Teens Health website. These twice-yearly visits typically include an examination of the teeth and mouth, X-rays and a cleaning. Teeth...
As soon as your child's teeth erupt from the gums, they are susceptible to decay. Without proper care and treatment, your toddler's teeth might develop cavities and discoloration that decrease his oral health. In severe cases of tooth decay, your...
Among the numerous herbal and natural substances used in the treatment of problem skin is clove oil, an essential oil derived from the aromatic flowers of clove plants, which grow naturally throughout Indonesia. Clinical research has confirmed...
The term "mouth ulcers" refers to sores or open lesions in the mouth caused by a variety of conditions including cancer, infections, immune system problems and damage or abrasions related to braces or dentures, self-inflicted bites or other...