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).

Frequently Asked Questions about Oral Lichen Planus

Q: How do I know if I have oral lichen planus?

A: The diagnosis must be obtained from a qualified heath care professional. Usually a biopsy is advisable to rule out other diseases.


Q: Is oral lichen planus common?

A: Oral lichen planus affects approximately 2% of the population. Although it may occur in all populations, women over 50 years are most commonly affected.

Q: I have oral lichen planus and my mouth hurts each time I brush my teeth. How do I avoid this?

A: Often with oral lichen planus, it is necessary to use mild toothpaste with minimal flavorings and a soft toothbrush



Q: Is oral lichen planus contagious?

A: No. Your partner or family members will not be infected by your lichen planus and you did not catch it from anyone. The disorder occurs when the immune system mounts an attack against cells of the oral tissue. The reasons for this abnormal immune response are still unknown.



Q: Does oral lichen planus go away with treatment?

A: Oral lichen planus is a chronic disease that can be controlled but not eliminated. A goal of therapy is to convert bothersome erosive lichen planus to the asymptomatic lacy (reticular) form. This requires some maintenance to keep the disease under control. Since oral lichen planus is incurable, flare-ups requiring additional therapy can occur.



Q: Can oral lichen planus lead to cancer?

A: This association remains controversial because there are cases of this occurring. Therefore, it is essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis, typically via biopsy. All patients with oral lichen planus should have periodic evaluations to assess the efficacy of therapy and to monitor for suspicious changes.



Erosive Oral Lichen Planus



Other Sources of Information on Oral Lichen Planus

International Oral Lichen Planus Support Group (Baylor College of Dentistry)