| Abrasion | Wear on the teeth near the gumline, for example as a result of excessive toothbrushing |
| Abscess | Pus that has built up within the tissue |
| Aphthous ulcer | Ulcer in oral mucosa |
| Aftab | Medication to mitigate symptoms of aphtous ulcers |
| Acrylic | A plastic used in dental care |
| Amalgam | Dental filling material |
| Antibiotic prophylaxis | Antibiotic medication administered before a procedure |
| Attrition | Tooth wear caused by e.g. grinding the teeth |
| Bacteremia | The presence of bacteria in the bloodstream |
| Biopsy | Extraction of sample tissues |
| Bite-wing X-ray | An X-ray used to check for decay |
| Bruxism | Grinding of the teeth, often at night |
| Candida albicans | A common source of yeast infections |
| Dentine | Calcified tissue in the tooth between the enamel and pulp |
| Dentinal tubules | Microscopic channels in the dentine, filled with fluid |
| Diastema | A gap between teeth |
| Endodontics | Dental specialty concerned with the study and treatment of the dental pulp |
| Erosion | Tooth wear caused by e.g. gastric acid or acidic soft drinks |
| Fissure | A groove in the masticatory surface of a tooth |
| Fluorine | An element that strengthens tooth enamel |
| Gingivitis | A disease of the periodontal tissue |
| Halitosis | Bad breath |
| Dental implant | Dental bone-implantable artificial root, on which e.g. the crown will be built |
| Cementoenamel junction | The ‘neck’ of the tooth, the area between the crown and root |
| Tartar | Hardened plaque |
| Cementum | A calcified substance covering the root of a tooth |
| Dental technician | A person who constructs various prosthetic devices |
| Orofacial cleft | Congenital malformation in which the lip and the palate are not completely closed |
| Cold sores | Infection by the herpes simplex virus |
| Hyposalivation | Reduced secretion of saliva |
| Periodontal pocket | The space between the tooth and the gum. Normally less than 4 mm |
| Incisors | Front teeth |
| Root canal therapy | Treatment of infected or damaged pulpa |
| Dental caries | Tooth decay that causes dental cavities |
| Cariology | The study of dental caries |
| Cavity | The pit that remains after the removal of tooth caries |
| Complete denture | Removable dental prosthesis, used when all the teeth are missing |
| Crown | The visible part of the tooth. Prosthesis to replace a single tooth |
| Xerostomia | Dry mouth syndrome |
| Xylitol | A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. Bacteria causing tooth decay cannot use it for food. |
| Dental laminates | Veneers attached to the front surface of teeth |
| Floss pick | A device to facilitate the use of dental floss |
| Leukoplakia | A white patch on a mucous membrane |
| Lichen planus | A lesion in the lining of the mouth |
| Molars | The large, flat teeth at the back of the mouth |
| Mutans streptococci | Bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities |
| Orthodontics | Orthodontics |
| Osteotomy | Surgical operation on bone |
| Periodontitis | A disease of the periodontal tissue |
| Periodontist | A dentist specialised in periodontics |
| Pedodontia | Pediatric dentistry, children’s dental care |
| Pericoronitis | Inflammation of the tissues surrounding a partially erupted wisdom tooth |
| Periosafe test | Periosafe is an enzymatic test from saliva to determine if a patient is suffering from gum disease |
| Plaque | Mass of bacteria on dental surfaces |
| Periapical X-ray | An X-ray of the root of a tooth |
| Dental prosthesis | Missing teeth can be restored with dental prostheses. There are many different prostheses, which can be fixed permanently or removable |
| Prosthodontist | A dentist specialised in prosthetics |
| Panoramic radiograph | A panoramic scanning dental X-ray of the upper and lower jaw |
| Pulp | The part in the centre of a tooth |
| Pulpitis | Inflammation of dental pulp tissue |
| Occlusal splint | A device for the treatment of malocclusion |
| Oral candidiasis | A fungal infection that occurs in the mouth; oral thrush |
| Sedative | Tranquillising |
| Secondary caries | Recurrent caries that occurs around or under a filling |
| Bridge | A dental prosthesis used to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth. Attached to adjacent teeth or dental implants. |
| Sjögren syndrome | A connective tissue disorder that causes dryness of the mouth and eyes, amongst other symptoms |
| Dental hygienist | An expert in oral health and prevention of oral diseases |
| Titanium | A metal used in dental implants not rejected by the body |
| Ultrasound machine | A device used in tartar removal |
| Composite filling | A dental filling material |
| General anesthesia | Medically induced unconsciousness |
