Mouth Sores

They are annoying and painful and there are plenty of things that can cause them – infections from bacteria, viruses or fungus; a loose orthodontic wire; a denture that doesn’t fit; or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling. Mouth sores may be symptoms of a disease or disorder. A dentist should examine any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer. Among the most common mouth sores are: 1) Canker sores. Small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border. Canker sores appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious. There may be only one canker sore or several and they can return frequently. Their exact cause is uncertain but some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be involved. Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. Some women may be more prone to them in their premenstrual cycle. A cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more susceptible. Treating Canker Sores: They usually heal on their own after a week or two. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial mouthrinses may provide temporary relief. Stay away from hot, spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the sore. See your dentist if the sores do not heal or are painful. Antibiotics from your dentist and some oral bandages can reduce secondary infection. 2) Cold sores : Annoying and painful, cold sores, also called fever blisters, are groups of fluid-filled blisters. They often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 and are very contagious. The initial infection (primary herpes), which often occurs before adulthood, may be confused with a cold or flu and can cause painful lesions to erupt throughout the mouth. Once a person is infected with primary herpes, the virus stays in the body and causes occasional attacks. Recurring cold sores look like multiple tiny fluid-filled blisters that most commonly appear around the edge of the lips. For some people, the virus remains inactive or dormant. For others, cold sores can follow a fever, sunburn, stress, emotional upsets or a break in the skin. Treating cold sores: Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Your dentist may prescribe antiviral drugs to reduce these kinds of viral infections. 3) Leukoplakia : Thick, whitish-color patches that form on the inside of the cheeks, gums or tongue is known as leukoplakia. These patches are caused by excess cell growth and are common among tobacco users. They can result from irritations such as an ill-fitting denture or the habit of chewing on the inside of the cheek. Sometimes leukoplakia is associated with oral cancer. Your dentist may recommend a biopsy if the patch appears threatening. Treating leukoplakia: The dentist examines the lesion and checks the biopsy results to help determine how to manage the disease. Treatment begins with removing the factors that contribute to the lesion: quitting tobacco or replacing ill-fitting dentures or bridges. 4) Candidiasis : This fungal infection (also called moniliasis or oral thrush) occurs when the yeast Candida albicans reproduce in large numbers. It is common among denture wearers and most often occurs in people who are very young, elderly, debilitated by diseases like diabetes or leukemia, or who have a problem with their immune system. People who have dry mouth syndrome are very susceptible to candidiasis. Candida may flourish after antibiotic treatment, which can decrease normal bacteria in the mouth. Treating candidiasis: Control focuses on preventing or controlling the conditions that caused the outbreak. Good oral hygiene is essential. Clean dentures to remove Candida and remove the dentures at bedtime. Saliva substitutes and prescription medications may be helpful when the underlying cause of dry mouth is incurable or unavoidable .

Oral Cancer Prevention

The diabetes drug metformin may protect against oral cancer , according to an article published in the Cancer Prevention Research Journal . Researchers induced premalignant lesions in mice and studied the effects metformin had as these lesions progressed into oral cancer . They found that the introduction of metformin reduced the size and number of carcinogen-induced oral tumoral lesion in mice and significantly reduced the development of squamous cell carcinoma(oral cancer) by about 70-90% .

Bovine Collagen Promotes Human Gum Healing

Bovine-derived collagen can enhance the healing of gum tissues researchers have found . German and Swiss researchers investigated the possibility of using collagen extracted from bovine pericardium to form a support mechanism for connective tissues used to repair receding gums and exposed roots . The study involved 14 otherwise healthy no-smoker patients who had at least one area of gum recession . After performing a routine teeth cleaning , the researchers implanted the bovine-derived collagen and sutured in place for 2weeks After 6 months the treated areas were evaluated and all showed signs of improved tissue root coverage where the gum recession had been . The researchers concluded that the bovine-derived collagen acts as a scaffold and was integrated by the patients’ own connective tissue , thus correction the gum recession area over the exposed tooth root.

A Burning Feeling

More than 10% of Americans experience the burning and discomfort of heartburn every day . What many don’t know is that heartburn , or acid indigestion , is a common symptom of chronic acid reflux , also known as gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflex occurs when muscles of the lower esophagus relax and allow stomach acids to flow upward into the esophagus and even the mouth . These stomach acids can cause irritation and inflammation of the esophagus while negatively impacting your oral health . Acid reflux may progress further , developing into GERD . In people who have GERD , the esophageal muscles are unable to keep stomach acids from flowing upward causing corrosion of the esophageal lining and the uncomfortable burning sensation associated with heartburn . Though often times difficult to detect , GERD can be associated with the following signs and symptoms : • Heartburn • Difficulty swallowing • Regurgitation • Burning sensation in the mouth • Sore throat • Nausea , vomiting , belching • Chronic cough • Erosion of tooth enamel • Chipping , discoloring of teeth • Bad breath In addition to damaging the esophagus and increasing your risk of esophageal cancer , , over time GERD can erode tooth enamel . Research indicates tooth enamel begins to erode at a pH , or acid level , of 5.5. With a pH of less than 2.0 , your stomach can easily damage tooth enamel and cause increased tooth sensitivity , decay , discoloration and chipping . You can reduce your GERD symptoms by : • Avoiding trigger foods and beverages , including chocolate , spicy/greasy foods , tomato-based foods , alcohol and coffee • Quitting smoking • Refrain from eating several hours before bed or lying down 2-3 hours after eating • Losing weight if you are overweight or obese • Avoiding tight clothing Protect your teeth against acid reflux by : • Use dentin-sensitive toothpaste • Rinse your mouth with water following acid reflux episodes • Do not brush your teeth for 60 minutes after consuming acidic foods or drinks • Dissolve baking soda in water and swish around the mouth after acid reflux occurs • Receive fluoride treatments to strengthen your teeth • Avoid over-the-counter antacids especially at night-that have high sugar content • Visit your dentist regularly for tooth enamel evaluation

Jaw Pain Or Headaches ? Check Your Posture !

If you experience frequent headaches and pain in your lower jaw, check your posture and consult your dentist about temporomandibular disorder (TMD), recommends the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), an organization of general dentists dedicated to continuing dental education. Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over, the lower jaw shifts forward, causing the upper and lower teeth to not fit together properly, and the skull moves back on the spinal column. This movement puts stress on muscles, joints and bones and, if left untreated, can create pain and inflammation in muscles and joints when the mouth opens and closes. "Good posture is important, yet many people don't realize how posture affects their oral health," says AGD spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS. Dr. Leibsohn treats patients who have complained of facial pain. "Their posture often is unbalanced, and this rearranges the position of the facial muscles, causing the bumps and grooves on the upper and lower teeth not to fit properly together," said Dr. Leibsohn. An oral appliance can help align the teeth in a position that will reduce facial pain caused by poor posture. The appliance can also prevent future damage to teeth .

Snack and Sip All Day ? Risk Tooth Decay !

What and how often you eat can affect your teeth . Eating habits and food choices can lead to tooth decay . A steady diet of sugary foods/drinks (including sports drinks) , can damage your teeth . But also snacking/sipping throughout the day or “grazing” can lead to tooth decay. We know that eating sugar causes some of the bacteria in your mouth to produce a acid by product that softens teeth . This acid attacks the tooth surface 20-30 minutes after you eat . So repeated snacks or prolonged sipping for drinks causes the acid to attack your tooth again and again . If you ever did the school experiment where you put a tooth in a bottle of coke or mountain dew and leave it for 24 hours ….the tooth is gone! Repeated acid attacks cause tooth decay , which requires you to be treated by a dentist . To reduce your risk of tooth decay here are some tips ; • Read the labels of the foods and beverages you have to make sure they are low in added sugar • If you have sugary foods and drinks have them with the 3 main meals • Limit sugary drinks and snacks between meals • Chew sugarless gum that has the American Dental Association’s seal , 20 minutes after a meal • Drink water • Brush your teeth 2 times a day with a fluoride toothpaste • See your dentist regularly

New Trends in Dentistry

Dentist needles soon to be thing of the past Recent advances in modern medicine are about to lessen the dental anxiety that many people experience before and during a visit to the dentist office. St. Renatus, LLC has finished clinical tests in two out of three U.S. FDA phases for its nasal mist local anesthetic product. Simply stated, this means that soon patients will have the option of not getting a needle when they have detal procedures done. This revolutionary needle-free anesthetic has been developed by St. Renatus, LCC, and pending the final phase - FDA Phase 3 - testing and an approval of a New Drug Application (NDA), it could be used in dentist offices by some time in 2012. Favorable results of the clinical tests in Phase 2 indicated that the nasal mist is similar to that of a standard needle-injected dental anesthetic. Phase 3 clinical studies required by the FDA are expected to be completed in the second half of 2011. The NDA will likely be filed in the latter part of 2011. According to a recent survey conducted by the Industrial Research Center: • 90% of those questioned would rather opt for the new nasal mist at the dentist • 23% would even opt for the services of another dentist than their own, who offers the nasal mist anesthetic • 96% of the dentists questioned admit that they would use the anesthetic in their office