MOUTH & DENTAL PROBLEMS by Imelda Peñaranda

CANKER SORES

Possible Causes

Injury to the inside of the mouth, infection, stress, genetic predisposition and female hormones.
The sores usually heal in 7 to 10 days.

Prevention

Avoid injury to the inside of your mouth.
Chew food slowly and carefully.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush your teeth thoroughly but gently.
Avoid foods that seem to cause sores.

Home Treatment

Avoid coffee, spicy and salty foods, and citrus fruits.
Apply an oral paste to the canker sore. It will protect the sore, ease pain, and speed healing.
Rinse your mouth with a mixture of one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide in eight ounces of water.
A thick paste of baking soda and water applied to the sore may bring relief.

When To Call A Health Professional

Of mouth sores develop after starting a medication.
If white spots that are not canker sores appear in the mouth and are not improving in 1 to 2 weeks.
If a canker sore, or any sore, does not heal in 14 days.
If a sore is very painful or recurs frequently.

COLD SORES

Possible Causes

Caused by a herpes virus (chicken pox is another kind) which stayed in the body after the first infection.
May appear after colds, fevers, exposure to the sun, stressful times, or during menstruation.
Sometimes they appear for no apparent reason.

Prevention

Avoid kissing someone who has a cold sore and avoid direct skin contact with genital herpes sores. Both types of herpes can affect either the mouth or genitals. Condoms help reduce the risk.
Use a sunscreen on your lips and wear a hat if exposure to the sun seems to trigger cold sores.
Reducing stress may help in some cases. Practice relaxation exercises often.

Home Treatment

At the first sign of the cold sore (tingling or pricking at the sight where the sore will appear), apply ice to the area. This may help reduce the severity of the sore.
Apply petroleum jelly to ease cracking and dryness.
Apply a paste made of cornstarch and a little water.
Be patient. Cold sores usually go away in 7 to 10 days.

When To Call A Health Professional

If you have many or frequent cold sores, a prescription medication may reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
If sores last longer than two weeks or occur frequently.

DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN

Children should have their first dental visit by age 2 to 3. Visits every six months for check-ups and cleaning are usually recommended for children and adults.
Start tooth-brushing as soon as the teeth come out. Brush your children's teeth for the first 4 to 5 years until they have enough dexterity to take over the job.
A good teaching method is to have your child brush in the morning and you brush at nigh until they master the skill.
Start caring for children's teeth early, before permanent teeth have come out.
See your dentist for regular cleaning and examination. Every six months is the recommended schedule.

When To Call A Health Professional

If the gums bleed when pressed on them or during brushing.
If the teeth are loose or moving apart or if there are changes in the way the teeth fit together when your children bite.
If your children have toothaches. Toothaches are caused when the inside of the tooth (dentin) is exposed. The pain may go away temporarily but the problem will not. Give aspirin or ibuprofen for pain relief until you can get an appointment. A cold pack on the jaw may also help.

TMJ SYNDROME (LOCKJAW)

Possible Causes

The olive-sized joint in front of your ear that connects your jaw bone to your skull is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Noises such as clicking, popping or snapping in the joint.
Pain in and around the joint.
Inability to "open wide" your mouth.
Arthritis in the joint.

Prevention

Regularly practice progressive muscle relaxation particularly before going to sleep.
Avoid biting your nails and nibbling on pencils or other objects which force your jaw into an awkward position and may cause pain.
Stop chewing gum or tough foods at the first sign of pain or discomfort in your jaw muscles.
Maintain good posture with your ear, shoulder and hip in a straight line.

Home Treatment

Rest your jaw, keeping your teeth apart and your lips closed. Keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth and not between your teeth.
Put an ice pack on the joint for eight minutes, 3 times a day. Gently open and close your mouth while the ice pack is on. If the jaw muscle is swollen, apply ice six times a day.
If there is no swelling, use moist heat on the jaw muscle 3 times a day. Gently open and close your mouth while the heat is on. Alternate with the cold pack treatments.
Avoid cradling a telephone receiver between your shoulder and jaw.
Avoid opening your mouth too wide.
Avoid chewing gum and hard or chewy foods.
Take aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain.

When To Call A Health Professional

If any jaw problem or pain continues more than 2 weeks without improvement.
If other mild TMJ symptoms do not improve after 4 weeks of home treatment.
If TMJ symptoms occur after an injury to the jaw.
If your jaw locks in certain positions.
If the pain is severe.

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