Canker Sores

Anyone who has had a mouth sore can attest to the discomfort that they can cause.  Unfortunately they can even be present in children.  Canker sores and cold sores are the two that are most common.  This article will provide information on canker sores.

Canker sores are small ulcers that appear inside the mouth.  They can be on the inside of the cheek, on the tongue, on the base of the gums or on the soft palate.  They are usually round in shape and white or gray in color with a red edge or border.  They may occur individually, or in groups.  They usually begin as a red spot or bump.  They may begin with a tingling or burning sensation before the bump even appears.  They eventually become quite painful.  Canker sores normally will disappear on their own after a period of 7 to 10 days.  If they last longer than this, its best to see your dentist to have the sore checked out.

Canker sores are not pre-cancerous or contagious.  Because they heal on their own, the main treatments available are to manage the pain.  Some over the counter ointments can numb the area temporarily.  Anti-microbial mouth rinses can also provide some relief.

The exact cause of canker sores is unknown.  Fatigue, emotional stress and even certain foods can cause them.  Biting the inside of the cheek may also cause them.  Certain foods such as citrus or acidic foods (such as lemons, oranges, pineapples, apples, figs, tomatoes and strawberries) can trigger a canker sore, or make them worse.  A sharp tooth surface or a dental appliance such as braces can also trigger them.  There is also evidence linking canker sores to a deficient immune system, and to bacterial or viral infections.  In these cases, canker sores can be seen as symptom of a more serious problem.

If any of the following occurs, its best to have your canker sores looked at by your dentist:

• If they are unusually large
• If they last longer than 10 days
• If you experience them on a regular basis

For most affected by canker sores, they are an occasional issue that cause discomfort, and then heal on their own.  If they affect you or your children, the most you can do is try various treatments to ease the discomfort until they heal.  Talk to your dentist about additional tips and treatments that may help.

Mucoceles

By Vishant Nath DMD

A mucocele is an infected salivary gland. It looks and feels like a growth in the mouth. It is most often due to a blockage of the salivary gland, but can also result from trauma to the mouth. Another cause can be certain medications that thicken the saliva. The thicker saliva can block the salivary gland, leading to a mucocele. So what happens if you notice this in your mouth?

Most mouth-related sores heal rather quickly. Anyone who has bitten their tongue or lip will know that these types of injuries can be quite painful when they first occur, but then they are gone in a few days. A mucocele will sometimes heal on it’s own, but if not, it might require more attention.

Mucoceles can be present anywhere you have a salivary gland. This includes on the inner lips, the roof of the mouth, or under the tongue. Mucoceles are not normally painful, but they can be irritating, especially when you eat. They can especially be irritating in children if they keep moving their tongue against it.

Whenever you notice any sort of bump or lump in your or your child’s mouth, it is important to visit your dentist to have it evaluated. The dentist can examine the area and determine the best course of action. If the diagnosis is the presence of a mucocele, you may be referred to an oral surgeon. Normally mucoceles can be easily removed using a scalpel after numbing the area. The tissue can then be sent for pathology to make sure that it is benign, or not cancerous.

Once the proper treatment is completed, it’s important to keep an eye on the area, as the growth can sometimes reoccur. Again, consult your dentist if this is the case.

In any case, it’s best to visit your dentist and have them guide you through the process of determining what the growth may be and the best course of action to take in treating it.

The Importance of Preserving Healthy Teeth

By Vishant Nath DMD

For most people, our teeth are strongest and healthiest when they first erupt from the gums. This is true for both primary and permanent teeth. Once the health of a tooth is compromised, it’s difficult to return it to that strong, healthy, original state. This article will provide information on the importance of using good hygiene to maintain healthy teeth, and how to best care for teeth which have been restored.

The most ideal situation of course is to keep teeth healthy and not have to drill, fill or otherwise bother the tooth structure. Once a tooth has developed a cavity, even with modern dental techniques, its difficult to completely restore the tooth back to its original healthy state. So the first priority is to establish correct and consistent hygiene techniques. When these habits are established during childhood, it’s much easier to carry them through to adulthood. Both primary and permanent teeth require daily hygiene. This includes brushing at least twice a day and daily flossing to remove food particles from in between teeth. This must be done on a consistent basis. It truly needs to become established as part of a daily routine in order to effectively protect the tooth structure from damage. The second part of having good hygiene is making it a point to visit your dentist every six months for cleaning, x-rays and exams.

So, let’s say that due to any number of circumstances, your child develops cavities or tooth decay. Its important to remember that there are dental techniques that can be used to attempt to restore the tooth. When these restorative techniques are utilized, it’s even more important to develop good hygiene as follow-up. Follow your dentist’s advice regarding which foods to avoid to maintain the integrity of the fillings. As part of daily hygiene, take a quick look inside your child’s mouth and examine the filling to make sure it has not become chipped or otherwise damaged. As stated above, twice-yearly dental visits are equally important. Your dentist can examine each filling to make sure that it is still working to protect the tooth from further damage or decay.

The bottom line is it’s never too late to develop good oral hygiene. It does take a conscious effort to follow through on establishing a daily hygiene routine and complementing this at home care with twice-yearly dental visits. Take the time to take care of your child’s teeth. It is time well spent!

Understanding Your Child’s Dental Condition

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist

The last thing that you want to hear at your child’s dental visit is that treatment is needed. Everyone wants to hear the dentist say “Your child has no cavities, see you in six months!” Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. So what’s the best advice when your child needs dental treatment? Read on!

When your child is diagnosed with the need for dental treatment, it is very important that the parents (1) understand why the treatment is needed and (2) have trust in the child’s dentist to best diagnose the treatment. In most cases, when treatment is prescribed in children, time is of the essence. Primary, or baby teeth are softer than permanent, or adult teeth. Because of this, decay can often spread quickly in children. This means that it’s important to get your child’s dental treatment completed in a timely manner.

You want to walk away from any diagnosis understanding what your child’s dentist is prescribing regarding treatment, and why they are taking this approach. If you do not understand, make it a point to ask lots of questions so that you understand exactly what the issue is and how the dentist is recommending it be treated. Even if you plan to get a second opinion (which is highly recommended), ask lots of questions. This is a good time to educate yourself. There are often times different ways to treat dental issues. The information you receive by asking questions may help you to decide which approach you are most comfortable with regarding your child’s dental treatment.

If you do plan to get a second opinion, make sure that you get the second opinion quickly. If you wait too long, your child’s need for treatment may worsen, which will mean that the dentists are not comparing the same situation, and therefore their diagnoses could differ.

After you have found a dentist whom you are comfortable with and trust to perform your child’s treatment, it is most important to schedule treatment in a timely manner. If you wait too long, the decay may worsen, and the diagnosis may need to change.

Remember that every dentist gets a similar education in dental school and residency, but once they begin practicing, their experiences will build a knowledge base that can differentiate them. Each dentist will have different treatment methods that they are most comfortable with and have seen provide the best results. There are often different approaches to prescribing dental treatment, all within the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines. All can lead to great oral health for your child.

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist