How to treat your mouth ulcer!

 

Mouth ulcers are painful sores that appear in the mouth. Although they're uncomfortable, they’re usually harmless and most clear up by themselves within a week or two.

Women, adolescents, and people with a family history of mouth ulcers are at higher risk for developing mouth ulcers.

Mouth ulcers are usually round or oval sores that commonly appear inside the mouth on the cheeks, lips, tongue and gums. They can be white, red, yellow or grey in colour and swollen.

It's possible to have more than one mouth ulcer at a time and they may spread or grow.

It is advised that you see your dentist if:

1.       Mouth ulcer has lasted three weeks

2.       You keep getting mouth ulcers

3.       The mouth ulcer becomes more painful or red – this could be a sign of a bacterial infection, which may need treatment with antibiotics

Mouth ulcers are also a possible symptom of a viral infection that mainly affects young children, called hand, foot and mouth disease. Speak to your physician if in doubt.

How to treat mouth ulcers

Mouth ulcers don’t usually need to be treated, because they tend to clear up by themselves within a week or two.

Things you can do to speed up healing include:

·       Applying a protective paste recommended by your dentist.

·       Using a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth

·       Avoiding hard, spicy, salty, acidic or hot food and drink until the ulcer heals

·       Using a straw to drink cool drinks

·       Avoiding things that may be triggering your mouth ulcers.

·       medicines     

      Antimicrobial mouthwash may speed up healing and prevent infection of the ulcer. 

      Vitamins Tablets.

      Painkillers are available as a mouthwash, lozenge, gel or spray. They can sting on first use and your mouth may feel numb – but this is temporary. Mouthwash can be diluted with water if stinging continues. 

      Medicines from your dentist .

 

Triggers :

Stress and anxiety

Hormonal changes – some women develop mouth ulcers during their monthly period

Eating certain foods – such as chocolate, spicy foods, coffee, peanuts, almonds, strawberries, cheese, tomatoes and wheat flour

Toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate

Stopping smoking – when you first stop smoking, you may develop mouth ulcers

Your genes are also thought to have a role – around 40% of people who keep getting mouth ulcers report that it runs in their family.

 

Medical conditions

v  viral infections – including the cold sore virus, chickenpox, and hand, foot and mouth disease

v  vitamin B12or iron deficiency

v  Crohn's disease

v  coeliac disease

v  reactive arthritis

v  weakened immune system

v  Behçet’s disease

 

Medications and treatments

Mouth ulcers can sometimes be caused by certain medications or treatments, such as:

v  non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – such as ibuprofen

v  nicorandil – a medication sometimes used to treat angina

v  beta-blockers– used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms

v  a side effect of chemotherapyor radiotherapy – this is known as mucositis

Is it mouth cancer?

In a few cases, a long-lasting mouth ulcer can be a sign of mouth cancer. Ulcers caused by mouth cancer usually appear on or under the tongue, although you can get them in other areas of the mouth.

 

Risk factors for mouth cancer include:

 

v  smoking or using products that contain tobacco

v  drinking alcohol – smokers who are also heavy drinkers have a much higher risk compared to the population at large

v  infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV) – the virus that causes genital warts

v  Constant irritant in the mouth eg: sharp tooth, ill fitting prosthesis.

It's important to detect mouth cancer as early as possible. If mouth cancer is detected early, the chances of a complete recovery are good. Regular dental check-ups are the best way to detect the early signs.

 

What causes mouth ulcers?

In many cases, the reason for mouth ulcers is unclear. Most single mouth ulcers are caused by damage to the lining inside of the mouth. For example:

 

v  accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or a sharp tooth

v  poorly fitting dentures

v  hard food

v  a defective filling

To know more, visit us. 

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com

Website: www.smileident.com

 

Bruxism: Involuntary grinding of teeth!

 Bruxism

Bruxism is a problem in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth. You may clench and grind your teeth during the day. Or, at night while you sleep (sleep bruxism). You may not even realize you have it. Signs and symptoms vary, and can include:

• Abraded teeth
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Facial pain
• Overly sensitive teeth
• Tense facial and jaw muscles
• Headaches
• Dislocation of the jaw
• Locking of the jaw
• Wearing away of the tooth enamel, exposing the underlying dentin (inside of the tooth)
• A popping or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Tongue indentations
• Damage to the inside of the cheek
• Wear facets (flat smooth areas created on the biting surfaces of the teeth as they are rubbed together repeatedly)

The symptoms of bruxism may look like other conditions or health problems. See a dentist for diagnosis and treatment.

What are the types of bruxism?

Bruxism can happen when you’re awake or asleep. The grinding action is the same, but awake and asleep bruxism are considered two separate conditions:

 Awake bruxism: You clench your jaw and grind your teeth during the day with this condition. It’s usually tied to emotional issues. Feeling anxious, stressed or angry can lead to teeth grinding. But so can concentrating on something. Awake bruxism often doesn’t need treatment, if you’re more likely to notice and stop. Stress management can help and learning ways to become aware can also help reduce the frequency.

Sleep bruxism: You grind your teeth while asleep with this form, which may cause more harm. You may not get the help you need since you’re unaware it is happening. Another challenge with sleep bruxism is that people don’t realize how strong they’re clenching their jaw and teeth. They can use up to 250 pounds of force, causing jaw pain and teeth problems. Clenching can also lead to headaches.

How is bruxism diagnosed?

During regular dental visits, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of bruxism such as flattened tips of the teeth. If signs and symptoms are present, your dentist or other healthcare provider will watch the condition over the next few visits before treatment is started.

Treatment for bruxism

In most cases, bruxism can be successfully treated. Treatment may involve:

• Behavior changes. You may be taught how to rest your tongue, teeth, and lips properly. You may also learn how to rest the tongue upward to relieve discomfort on the jaw while keeping the teeth apart and lips closed.
• Mouthguard. You may be fitted for a plastic mouthguard that you can wear at night to absorb the force of biting. It can be worn in the day if you grind your teeth while awake. This mouthguard may help prevent future damage to the teeth and aid in changing behavior.
  
  
  
• Physical therapy.
• Medication.

Other ways to cut back on teeth grinding include:

• Avoid alcohol and smoking.
• Avoid or reduce caffeine in foods and drinks such as colas, chocolate and coffee.
• Be aware of teeth clenching during the day. Try to stop yourself: Keep your lips together, teeth apart and tongue behind the front teeth.
• Don’t chew on nonfood items, such as pencils or pens. Also avoid constant, daily gum chewing.

 

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com
Website: www.smileident.com

 

Brush up your brushing skills!

 

The modified bass technique (for adults)

• Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line.
• Brush each tooth (or two to three at a time) using a gentle circular movement.
• Brush each tooth well and when finished, flick the toothbrush down the tooth, away from the gum line.

  

To know more, visit us. 

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com

Website: www.smileident.com

Soothe your teething baby!

 

Tips to soothe your teething baby.

• Gum massages: Use clean gauze to rub the baby’s gums.
• Teething rings or a pacifier (preferably little cold).
• Cold vegetable sticks (if the baby is on solid food).
• Acupressure
• Topical, herbal and pain relieving medicines (consult your dentist).
• Warm bath.

To know more, visit us. 

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com

Website: www.smileident.com

Do you have WISDOM teeth?

 

Wisdom teeth also called third molars.

(This is an x-ray of any impacted tooth)

Impacted wisdom teeth are extremely common.

Wisdom teeth usually become impacted when your jaw doesn’t have enough space to accommodate your teeth. Sometimes, a tooth may erupt at the wrong angle, which can lead to impaction. They usually erupt between the ages of 17 to 25.

Fully impacted wisdom teeth aren’t visible. They’re completely hidden underneath your gums. A partially impacted wisdom tooth is slightly visible because part of it has erupted. Non-impacted wisdom teeth have erupted and are completely visible above your gum line. It’s important to note that non-impacted wisdom teeth can still cause problems.

Common problems caused due to wisdom teeth:

    Pain or swelling of the jaw.

    Red, swollen or bleeding gums.

    A bad taste in your mouth.

    Bad breath (halitosis).

    Difficulty opening your mouth all the way. 

    Problems to the adjacent tooth.

                                   

To know more, visit us. 

iDent, Idyll Dental Clinic

To book an appointment with us:

Call us at: +912240147049/09321330133

Email: smileident@gmail.com

Website: www.smileident.com