Dr. Mitchell, along with Becky and Mandy, volunteered their time at the Special Olympics State Summer Games in downtown Columbus Saturday, June 27, 2009. Dr. Mitchell provided free dental screenings to the participants.
Often people start to notice that their mouth feels dryer. This is believed by some as brought on by age but in reality it may be brought on by several different outside factors. This “dry mouth” condition is actually called Xerastomia. Some factors that may cause “dry mouth” are being a diabetic, certain medications and radiation treatment for cancer. Losing a steady flow of saliva puts your teeth and gums at risk. You may notice a higher cavity rate, sore gums and possibly bleeding.
There are several things you can do to help fight this battle. Ask your dentist about a saliva substitute to help relieve discomfort. Using sugarless gum, mints and taking sips of water will also help. A product that we suggest to our patients is Biotene. You can get it in forms of mouthwash, gum, denture creme and toothpaste!
Always call your dentist if you notice any bleeding or have tooth pain. Every patient is different and we are always here to help!
-Article written by: Alisha Olson, EFDA
All toothpastes remove surface stains. Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach. Over-the-counter and professional whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching substance) that helps remove stains on the tooth surface as well as stains deep in the tooth. Whitening toothpaste can lighten your tooth’s color by about one shade.
Tom is a patient of ours who has written a blog about his journey with Invisalign Teen! We have posted his blog titled “Diary of an Invisalign patient”. There is even a video from when he first started the treatment. Feel free to leave a comment on his blog about your experience with Invisalign. We love to hear the amazing feedback.
Dr. Katie Vincer, Michele, Mandy and Hollie made a trip to Kiddie Grove today. They gave free fluoride treatments and educated the children on the importance of good oral health.
Thanks Kiddie Grove! We had fun with you all today:)
The aloe vera plant, which has been used to heal sunburned skin in the summer, can also treat common oral health conditions, including cold sores and fever blisters (outside of the mouth) and canker sores (in the mouth).
Common mouth sores have many causes, including illness (such as colds or flu), food allergies, stress, or bacterial or fungal infections. Inside the mouth, the culprits also may include a loose orthodontic wire, a denture that doesn’t fit or a sharp edge from a broken tooth or filling.
Aloe vera accelerates healing and reduces pain associated with external cold sores. In addition to its anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera provides benefits to the skin by adding amino acids and B1, B2, B6 and C vitamins. To treat a cold sore, apply aloe vera lip balm or gel three times per day until a lesion has dried. Cold sores are highly contagious, so be sure to wash your hands after applying the aloe vera.
Aloe vera juice also can help internal ulcerations of the mouth, including canker sores (a common condition usually caused by stress) and lichen planus (a disease of unknown origin affecting the skin and mucus membranes). However, always discuss with your dentist proper treatment techniques for conditions inside your mouth or for serious outbreaks.
Resource: The Academy of General Dentistry
People who want to look cool with an oral piercing may be looking to their dentists and physicians for help afterwards.
Common symptoms after oral piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an increased flow of saliva and injuries to the gum tissue. If a blood vessel was in the path of the needle during the piercing, severe and difficult-to-control bleeding can result. For some, chipped or cracked teeth, blood poisoning or even blood clots can occur. For many, swelling of the tongue is a common side effect. In extreme cases, a severely swollen tongue can actually close off the airway and prevent breathing.
So maybe you should skip the mouth jewelry and let your healthy smile make your fashion statement.
The staff at GCFD suggest that you should:
June 4th-Allen Anic
June 4th-Alisha Olson
June 8th- Michele Fisher
June 15th- Karen Wood
June 15th- Nicole Schutte