Thrush

Thrush is a common yeast infection, called Candida, that causes creamy white patches in the mouth (inner cheeks) and on the tongue. It can also spread to the roof of the mouth and back of the throat.

In babies, Candida causes thrush because babies' immune systems are not yet strong enough to control the growth of the yeast.

Some people get thrush when they take certain medicines, such as antibiotics or inhaled corticosteroids.

How is it treated?

Thrush is usually treated with prescribed antifungal. In most cases, you will put the medicine directly on the white patches. If these medicines don't work, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal pill.

If you wear dentures and have thrush, be sure to clean your mouth and dentures every night. You can soak them overnight in a denture cleaner that you buy at the store.

These suggestions may help during an outbreak of oral thrush:

·                     Practice good oral hygiene. Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once daily. Replace your toothbrush frequently until your infection clears up. Avoid mouthwash or sprays

·                     Try warm saltwater rinses. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Swish the rinse and then spit.

The following measures may help reduce your risk of developing candida infections:

·                     Rinse your mouth. If you have to use a corticosteroid inhaler, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after taking your medication.

·                     See your dentist regularly — especially if you have diabetes or wear dentures. Ask your dentist how often you need to be seen. Brush and floss your teeth as often as your dentist recommends. If you wear dentures, be sure to clean them every night.

Halitosis

My mom taught me never to turn down a mint as it may be a hint.

But mints, gums and mouthwashes only mask bad breath. They don’t treat the underlying cause of halitosis, or bad breath.

They include:

·                     Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and other vegetables and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.

·                     Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

·                     Poor dental hygiene. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums (gingivitis) and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis). The uneven surface of the tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. And dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

·                     Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that may cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath," and is made worse if you sleep with your mouth open.

·                     Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.

·                     Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odorous chemicals. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

·                     Other causes. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can be associated with bad breath.

To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene.

Mayoclinic.org

Quit Smoking

www.justkickitnow.com

Nicotine dependence is the most socially acceptable chemical dependence in the United States.

Research suggests that nicotine may be as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol, therefore quitting smoking is difficult and may require multiple attempts.

Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

Nicotine dependence is just one reason to quit smoking. It is common knowledge that tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of thousands of toxins and chemical. Up to 70 of those can cause cancer. Tobacco smoke can cause serious health problems, numerous diseases, and death.
Fortunately, people who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk for disease and premature death. Although the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, cessation is beneficial at all ages.
Smoking cessation is associated with the following health benefits:

• Smoking cessation lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer.
• Smoking cessation reduces the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Coronary heart disease risk is substantially reduced within 1 to 2 years of quitting.
• Smoking cessation reduces respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. The rate of decline in lung function is slower among people who quit smoking than among those who continue to smoke.
• Smoking cessation reduces the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
• Smoking cessation by women during their reproductive years reduces the risk for infertility. Women who stop smoking during pregnancy also reduce their risk of having a low birth weight baby.

Methods to Quit Smoking

The following treatments are proven effective for smokers who want help to quit:

• Counseling (e.g., individual, group, or telephone counseling and quitlines; online smoking cessation programs)

• Nicotine replacement products
• Over-the-counter (e.g., nicotine patch, gum, lozenge)
• Prescription (e.g., nicotine inhaler, nasal spray)
• Prescription non-nicotine medications, such as bupropion SR (Zyban^®) and varenicline tartrate (Chantix^®).^2,12

Helpful Resources

1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free telephone support service that can help individuals who want to stop smoking or using tobacco.
Tips From Former Smokers Web site:
CDC's Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site:

Resources:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2010

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004

Fiore MC, Jaén CR, Baker TB, Bailey WC, Benowitz NL, Curry SJ, Dorfman SF, Froelicher ES, Goldstein MG, Froelicher ES, Healton CG, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update—Clinical Practice Guidelines. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2008

Canker Sores

Canker Sores (Apthous Ulcers)

These are not the sores that develop on the lips and they are not contagious, like fever blisters or cold sores. But they are common sores and they can be painful.

Canker sores will go away on their own in a week or two, but you should contact your doctor or dentist if they are unusually large, recurring or persistent.

Possible triggers for canker sores include:

·                     A minor injury to your mouth from dental work, overzealous brushing, sports mishaps, spicy or acidic foods, or an accidental cheek bite

·                     Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate

·                     Food sensitivities, particularly to chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese and highly acidic foods, such as pineapple

·                     A diet lacking in vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid) or iron

·                     Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that cause peptic ulcers

·                     Hormonal shifts during menstruation

·                     Emotional stress

Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not associated with herpes virus infections.

Treatment usually isn't necessary for minor canker sores, but options may include:

·                     Mouth rinses. If you have several canker sores, your doctor may prescribe a mouth rinse containing a steroid to reduce pain and inflammation.

·                     Oral medications. Your doctor may prescribe oral steroid medications when severe canker sores don't respond to other treatments.

·                     Cautery of sores. This medication may reduce healing time to about a week.

Spitting Into the Wind

Many people believe chewing tobacco or dipping snuff is safer than smoking. They are just spitting into the wind.



Chewing tobacco carries risks such as:

Oral Cancer
Cavities on the tooth/root surface
Gingival recession

Other studies show that smokeless tobacco may include risks beyond the mouth. It can also be a contributing factor to other cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.


Smokeless tobacco contains more nicotine than cigarettes (3-4 times greater) making it highly addictive and more difficult to quit once started.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has complied the following guidelines to help you quit:
Smokeless Tobacco: A Guide to Quitting

Church of the First Down

"Football is to Texas what religion is to a priest."

                                                                                                ~Tom Landry (legenday Dallas Cowboys coach)

Gingival Enlargement

Gingival enlargement is defined as an abnormal overgrowth of gingival tissues.

In most cases, the patient is not accomplishing effective oral hygiene. This is very common with those undergoing orthodontic treatment, as seen above. Fortunately, this condition usually resolves with effective oral hygiene practices to remove the offending plaque and irritants on the teeth.

Or the gingival enlargement can be medication-induced. This condition is also somewhat dependent on level of plaque accumulation, therefor effective oral hygiene measures may reduce the severity. Medication-induced gingival enlargement may resolve either partially or completely when the medication is discontinued. In severe cases, the gingiva may completely cover the crowns of the teeth causing periodontal disease as well as problems with tooth eruption and alignment. If the medication cannot be discontinued, surgical removal of the excess gingiva (gingivectomy) may be performed but the condition will likely recur.

Exostosis

exostosis --noun an abnormal bony outgrowth from the surface of a bone. inside of the lower arch

roof of the mouth



Worn Out

Does Your Toothbrush Look Like This?

Brushing regularly will help you maintain a healthy smile. However, if you're not changing your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head regularly, you may not be as effective as you think.

When toothbrush bristles become flared or tilted, they tend to loose their ability to clear food and debris from the nooks and crannies of your teeth.

The ADA recommends we replace our toothbrushes approximately every 3–4 months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use.

The ADA's Council on Scientific Affairs, in November 2011 stated the following:

(Warning: Scientific Content)

"In recent years, scientists have studied whether toothbrushes may harbor microorganisms that could cause oral and/or systemic infection. We know that the oral cavity is home to hundreds of different types of microorganisms; therefore, it is not surprising that some of these microorganisms are transferred to a toothbrush during use. It may also be possible for microorganisms that are present in the environment where the toothbrush is stored to establish themselves on the brush.

Although studies have shown that various microorganisms can grow on toothbrushes after use, and other studies have examined various methods to reduce the level of these bacteria, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support that bacterial growth on toothbrushes will lead to specific adverse oral or systemic health effects."

Here are some "common sense" tips for caring for your toothbrush (as recommended by the ADA):

Do not share toothbrushes. Sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of germs between the users. This practice could be a particular concern for persons with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases.

Thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again.

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of bugs than the open air.

Replace toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed.

Hygiene Basics: Water Flossing 101

If you have large spaces between your teeth where food traps, have limited dexterity, or a lot of crowns and bridges in your mouth then water flossing may be a good solution for you. We recommend patients use their water flosser after brushing and flossing regularly. These patients report that food and debris was flushing out even after a thorough brush and floss.

There are several brands of water flossers available but this article will focus on the Waterpik, as this is what most of our patients use.

A study was conducted at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and the USC Center for Biofilms concerning the effectiveness of the Waterpik in removing the Plaque Biofilm.  They treated teeth to three seconds of medium pressure with the Classic Jet and Orthodontic Waterpik tips. Afterwards, they were evaluated by a scanning electron microscope.  The results of the study revealed 99.9% removal of the plaque biofilm (see photo).

As mentioned previously, we recommend using a Waterpik in conjunction with regular brushing and flossing.

And the following video is provided by Waterpik, explaining how to use a waterpik:

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition in which a burning pain occurs that may involve your tongue, lips or widespread areas of your whole mouth, without any obvious reason.
Other symptoms may include:

• Dry mouth
• Sore mouth
• A tingling or numb sensation in your mouth or on the tip of your tongue
• A bitter or metallic taste

Causes

The possible causes of burning mouth syndrome are many and complex. Each of the following possible causes applies to only a small portion of all people who complain of a burning mouth. Many people have multiple causes. Identifying all of the causes is important so that your doctor can develop a treatment plan tailored for you. Possible causes include:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia). This condition can be related to use of various medications. It can also occur with aging or Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes both dry mouth and dry eyes.
• Other oral conditions. Oral yeast infection (thrush) is a common cause of a burning mouth. Geographic tongue, a condition that causes a dry mouth and a sore, patchy tongue, also may be associated with burning mouth syndrome.
• Psychological factors. Emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are often associated with burning mouth syndrome.
• Nutritional deficiencies. Being deficient in nutrients, such as iron, zinc, folate (vitamin B-9), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and cobalamin (vitamin B-12), may affect your oral tissues and cause a burning mouth.
• Irritating dentures. Dentures may place stress on some of the muscles and tissues of your mouth. The materials used in dentures also may irritate the tissues in your mouth.
• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy). Damage to nerves that control taste and pain in the tongue may also result in a burning mouth.
• Allergies. The mouth burning may be due to allergies or reactions to foods, food flavorings, other food additives, fragrances, dyes or other substances.
• Reflux of stomach acid. The bitter-tasting fluid that enters your mouth from your upper gastrointestinal tract may cause irritation and pain.
• Certain medications. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure, may cause side effects that include a burning mouth.
• Endocrine disorders. Your oral tissues may react to high blood sugar levels that occur with conditions such as diabetes and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
• Hormonal imbalances. Burning mouth syndrome occurs most commonly among postmenopausal women, although it affects many other people as well. Changes in hormone levels may affect the composition of your saliva.
• Excessive irritation. Irritation of the oral tissues may result from excessive brushing of your tongue, overuse of mouthwashes or consuming too many acidic drinks.

Treatment of burning mouth syndrome is highly individualized and depends on your particular signs and symptoms and on the underlying cause or causes, if they can be identified. Most people with burning mouth syndrome can control their symptoms through tailored treatment plans.

Burning mouth syndrome can be painful and frustrating. The good news is that it's a treatable condition. Although it may take time, with the help of a team of health professionals, you can usually find a treatment plan that's right for you.

In the short term, you may gain some relief by avoiding irritating substances, such as alcohol-based mouthwashes, cinnamon or mint products, and cigarette smoke. Chewing on ice chips or sugar-free gum also may help.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Support Group

Resources:
http://www.colgateprofessional.com/patienteducation/Burning-Mouth-Syndrome/article
©1998-2007 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER).