Learn more about the risks to your oral health during pregnancy.
Cold Sores and Canker Sores Compared
It’s easy to confuse cold sores and canker sores.
Unlike a cold sore, a canker sore is not contagious, and it appears on the inside tissues of the mouth rather than the outer surface of the lip (which is where cold sores appear). A canker sore, also known as an apthous ulcer, looks like a small, round or oval lesion that has a white or yellowish center surrounded by red. They tend to be indented, like a crater, rather than raised, like a bump.
Canker sores most often appear on the inside of the cheeks and lips or at the base of the gum. Canker sores are not usually associated with bleeding gums, so if you are experiencing bleeding gums you should see your dentist to be evaluated for possible gum disease.
The majority of canker sores are mild. Mild canker sores are less than one-third of an inch long and usually heal on their own after a few weeks.
But major apthous ulcers, defined as larger than 10 mm in size, can take more than a month to heal and can cause scarring when they finally do heal. So it’s important to visit your doctor or dentist if you have a canker sore that has persisted for more than a few weeks. These large ulcers are most common in young adults after puberty, and they are more likely to recur than smaller sores. Older adults are more prone to herpetiform lesions, in which dozens of tiny lesions group together to form a large ulcer.
The exact cause of canker sores remains uncertain, but possible factors include an allergic reaction to bacteria in the mouth, a minor injury to the inside of the mouth due to dental work or poorly fitting dental appliances, food allergies or health problems, such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Although most canker sores resolve on their own, if you have a large or stubborn lesion, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic mouth rinse, topical paste to apply to the lesion, or a nutritional supplement if poor nutrition may be the cause of the canker sore.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Russell E. Graham, DMD
2935 N Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 327-1205
RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Learn more about dental care for people with special needs.
Missing Teeth? Why Not ‘Grow’
New Ones?
Dental implants are not simply replacements for missing
teeth – they are just like growing new teeth! Implants come
up through the gums rather than sitting on top of them, so
it is impossible to tell they are not natural. They can
replace as many teeth as are missing. Even people with no
teeth can benefit from implants, because they can replace
their dentures with teeth that don’t move around when they
talk, and don’t need to be taken out at night. You will be
pleased to know we handle the entire process from post
implant to crown fabrication and placement. You will not
need to go to another office.
Russell E. Graham, DMD
2935 N Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 327-1205
RussellEGrahamDMD.com
What Are TMJ Diseases And Disorders?
TMJ diseases and disorders are a group of conditions that cause pain in and around the jaw joint (called the Temporomandibular Joint or TMJ) and nearby muscles. Jaw problems affect a person's ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow and even breathe.
What Are Symptoms Of TMJ?
Pain is the most common symptom of TMJ; however, some people have no pain but still have problems using their jaws. Specific symptoms include:
Face pain
Pain in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear
Back pain
Inability to open the mouth comfortably
Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
Headaches
A bite that is uncomfortable or feels “off”
Swelling on the side of the face, neck or shoulder
Other symptoms may include ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, dizziness and vision problems.
Keep in mind that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common and is not a cause for concern. Many people with TMJ problems get better without treatment. Often the problem goes away on its own in several weeks to months.
To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
Russell E. Graham, DMD
2935 N Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 327-1205
RussellEGrahamDMD.com
Learn more about Bad Breath, which is also known as Halitosis.
Third Molar Extractions
The third molars came to be called wisdom teeth because they
erupt later in life than all the other teeth, usually
between ages 17 and 25. With age comes wisdom, so the term
“wisdom teeth” came to be used.
These teeth erupt through the gums at the back of your
mouth, two each in the upper and lower jaws. Unfortunately,
most of us can’t fit these teeth in our mouths. The lack of
room often causes impaction, when they become enclosed in
the bone of the jaws instead of growing in straight.
Impaction can cause a whole range of problems. They push and
crowd the other teeth, which might cause these teeth to
twist and turn. Cavities often occur more easily in these
teeth and the ones next to them, because the crowding makes
them difficult to clean. You can even get an infection in
the jaw bone.
It’s usually best if wisdom teeth are removed at a young
age, before problems occur and the bone in the jaw becomes
denser, holding tighter to the teeth. Our practice is
pleased to offer IV sedation and oral sedation for these
procedures.
Russell E. Graham, DMD
2935 N Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716
(520) 327-1205
RussellEGrahamDMD.com
