About Us | Privacy | Site Map
May 23, 2013


When to Visit the Dentist Glossary of Terms

The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the When to Visit the Dentist article.

Abscess: A local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body. The following are some example...

See the entire definition of Abscess

Aspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a...

See the entire definition of Aspirin

Cheek: The side of the face, which forms the side wall of the mouth. The cheekbone is part...

See the entire definition of Cheek

Chin: Medically, the mentum. The lower portion of the face below the lower lip including t...

See the entire definition of Chin

Crown: 1. In dentistry, the portion of the tooth that is covered by enamel. 2./...

See the entire definition of Crown

Cuts: Severed skin. Washing a cut or scrape with soap and water and keeping it clean and d...

See the entire definition of Cuts

Diagnosis: 1 The nature of a disease; the identification of an illness. 2 A ...

See the entire definition of Diagnosis

Ear: The hearing organ. There are three sections of the ear, according to the anatomy tex...

See the entire definition of Ear

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

See the entire definition of Emergency department

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

See the entire definition of Fever

Fluoride: A compound of fluorine with another element or radical. Fluoride containing com...

See the entire definition of Fluoride

Gingivitis: Gum disease with inflammation of the gums. On inspection, the gums will appea...

See the entire definition of Gingivitis

Gum disease: Inflammation of the soft tissue (gingiva) and abnormal loss of bone that surr...

See the entire definition of Gum disease

Infection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an...

See the entire definition of Infection

Inflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ...

See the entire definition of Inflammation back to top

Injury: Harm or hurt. To harm, hurt, or wound. The word injure may be in physical or emot...

See the entire definition of Injury

Jaw: The movable junction of the bones below the mouth (the mandible) and the bone just ab...

See the entire definition of Jaw

Joint: The area where two bones are attached for the purpose of permitting body parts to m...

See the entire definition of Joint

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

See the entire definition of Mouth

Neck: The part of the body joining the head to the shoulders. Also, any narrow or constric...

See the entire definition of Neck

Pain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa...

See the entire definition of Pain

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

See the entire definition of Pharmacy

Pus: A thick, whitish-yellow fluid that results from the accumulation of white blood cells...

See the entire definition of Pus

Saliva: a watery secretion in the mouth produced by the salivary glands that aids in the d...

See the entire definition of Saliva

Scrub: 1. As a verb, to wash the hands and forearms very thoroughly, as before enga...

See the entire definition of Scrub

Sensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming...

See the entire definition of Sensation

Subluxation: Partial dislocation of a joint. A complete dislocation is a luxation.

Syndrome: A combination of symptoms and signs that together represent a disease process.

TMJ: Temporomandibular joint.

Tongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ...

See the entire definition of Tongue back to top

Tooth: One of the structures within the mouth that allow for biting and chewing. Teeth hav...

See the entire definition of Tooth

Toothache: Pain in the tooth or gum. The most common cause of a toothache is a cavity or a...

See the entire definition of Toothache

Trauma: A physical or emotional injury.

Uncertainty: "Medicine's ground state is uncertainty. And wisdom -- for both patients and ...

See the entire definition of Uncertainty back to top


WebMD Oral Health

Get tips for a healthy mouth.

Please acknowledge your agreement





Medical Dictionary


Use Pill Finder Find it Now

Pill Identifier on RxList

  • quick, easy,
    pill identification

Find a Local Pharmacy

  • including 24 hour, pharmacies