Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) causes chronic burning pain in your mouth. This pain may affect the tongue, lips, gums, insidde of cheeks, roof of your mouth, or widespread areas of the mouth.

Symptoms of BMS can include:

• Burning sensation
• Sore mouth
• Loss of taste
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Taste changes(metallic taste)
• Mouth pain that gets worse as the day progresses
• Tingling or numb sensation in the mouth or on the tip of the tongue

Possible causes of BMS:

• Lack of estrogen
  
• GERD (Reflux disease)
  
• Zinc or B vitaman deficiency
  
• Damage to tongue and mouth nerves
  
• Iron deficiency
  
• Hypothyroidism
  
• Oral Cancer
  
• Sensitivity to food additives, dyes, fragrances or flavors
  

Treatments for BMS can include:

• Vitamin therapy
• Black Cohosh ( herbal remedy)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Medications for pain

If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your Dentist for a complete evaluation.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Latex Allergies

Natural rubber latex is made from the milky substance found in rubber trees. Latex is found in many medical and dental products such as gloves, masks, syringes, tape and bandages. Some people are hypersensitive to natural rubber latex which can cause an allergic reaction.

An allergy to latex can develop after repeated exposure to products made of natural rubber latex. Healthcare workers are particularly suseptible since they are constantly exposed to latex products. Symptoms of a latex allergy can vary in severity from hives or nasal congestion to anaphylaxis, a potentially life threatening condition if left untreated.

If you have had an adverse reaction to latex, consult your physician to determine the best way to deal with the allergy. Inform your dentist and his/her staff so they can put an alert on your chart and take the proper precautions.

Fun Facts!

Abraham Lincoln issued a 'Thanksgiving Proclamation' on October 3, 1863 and officially designated the last Thursday of November as the national day for Thanksgiving.

Prior to that date, Presidents made an annual proclamation to specify the day when Thanksgiving was to be held.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Sleep Apnea and Dental Care

We are hearing more and more about sleep apnea, which is a very serious sleep disorder. This disorder involves breathing that stops and starts repeatedly while one is sleeping. This can happen hundreds of times per night.

There are 3 types of Sleep Apnea

• Obstructive- Most common form that happens when throat muscles relax
• Central- happens when the brain doesn't send correct signals to the muscles that control breathing
• Complex- not as common and is a combination of Obstructive & Central

According to the National Institute of Health, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans, mainly obese males over the age of 40. Sleep Apnea untreated can affect blood pressure, depression, erectile function and memory. It can lead to concentration impairment and cardiovascular diseaase. Fatigue is common since the disorder disrupts sleep. Interestingly, sleep apnea is the leading cause of car accidents both during the day and at night.

Symptoms

• Loud snoring
• Gasping for air or choking while sleeping
• Headaches each morning
• Poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Waking up with a sore throat or dry mouth
• Frequent urination during the night
• Restless moving
• Waking yourself up from snoring or lack of air

Treatment

• Sleep Study to determine is sleep apnea is the correct diagnosis
• CPAP- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine that delivers air pressure through a mask that is placed over your nose while you sleep.
• Adjustable Airway Pressure Device- this may help if there continues to be a problem with the CPAP . It adjusts the pressure automatically while you sleep.
• Oral Appliance- Appliances work when other methods don't. These appliances bring your jaw forward and keep the throat open.
• Surgery-Surgery is done to remove excess tissue from the nose and throat that may be causing vibrations, which causes snoring and blockage of the upper air passages.

If you feel you or someone you know may be suffering from sleep apnea, we recommend you make an appointment with your medical doctor or a sleep specialist for a proper diagnosis.

The above information is for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan and for an accurate medical diagnosis and advice. Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A Dersh, D.M.D., PA nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind to it's accuarcy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for errors or omissions of any kind.

Flouride and Bottled Water

Communities have been fluoridating their water supply since 1945.  The American Dental Association continues to endorse this practice. Fluoridated water has been proven to reduce tooth decay by 20 to 40% and improve the oral health of millions of Americans.  Many of the brands of bottled water on the market do not contain the optimum levels of fluoride(0.7-1.2 ppm).  Some home water filtration systems also remove naturally occuring and enhanced levels of fluoride from the water.

The ADA recommends that patients investigate the level of flouride in their community water supply.  If you use a home filtration system, check to see how much fluoride is filtered out.  If bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, discuss fluoride supplementation with your child's pediatrician.  You can also contact the bottled water company for the levels of fluoride contained in their product.

The above information is for general education purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan.

Gingival Recession

Receding gums is a condition found most common in adults over the age of 40. Therefore, we felt it would be a topic well received by many of our patients. We hope you find this article beneficial.

Recession refers to the roots of the teeth being exposed caused by a loss of gum tissue or retraction of the gingival margin from the crown of the teeth. Although it is a common problem in adults over the age of 40, it can occur starting in the teens.


There are several possible causes of gingival recession:
* Abnormal tooth position
* Thin, fragile or insufficient gingival tissue
* Overaggressive brushing
* Periodontal disease
* Inadequate brushing or flossing (allows bacteria to build up between the teeth)
* Eating disorders (self inducing vomiting)
* Dipping tobacco (it affects the mucus membrane lining in the mouth and cause receding
gums over time)
* Adult orthodontic movement of teeth
* Piercings in the lip or tongue (wears away the gum by rubbing against it)
* Sensitivity to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), an ingredient in most commercial toothpastes

The following signs and symptoms may indicate gum recession:

* Sensitive teeth
* Teeth may appear longer than normal (if gums are receded, a larger part of the crown in visible)
* The roots of the teeth are exposed and visible
* The tooth feels notched at the gumline
* Change in the tooth's color (color difference between enamel and the root)
* Larger spaces between teeth (gums don't fill in between anymore)
* Cavities below the gum line (roots are more susceptible to decay due to the softness of the
root surface)

If gum recession is caused by gingivitis, the following symptoms may also be present:

* Puffy, red, or inflamed gums
* Gums bleeding while brushing or flossing
* Bad breath (halitosis)

The first step to treatment is the address the problem which has caused the recession.

Some advice to arrest the recession or prevent it is:

* Use a soft toothbrush
* Gentle brushing technique
* Improved oral hygiene
* Regular dental check ups and cleanings

For more advanced cases, treatment may include:
* Soft tissue graft surgery which uses tissue from another site in the patients' mouth to replace receded gums
* New research is focusing on using stem cells to culture the patients' own gums to replace receded gums

Most cases of recession can be monitored, coupled with changes in technique or hygiene, and may never require invasive treatment. If you have any questions regarding recession, please feel free to talk to us about it on your next visit, or email us at dentalinfo@drdaviddersh.com.

- Dr. David A. Dersh, Tracy, & Phyllis

The above information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan.

Beware of Acid and the Effects It Has on Your Teeth

We all have our vices. It might be soft drinks, coffee with sugar, wine, fruit and juices, energy drinks, or sucking on hard candies. But are you aware of the harmful effects these can have on your teeth?

The acid in food and liquids can cause irreversible erosion of tooth enamel. The results of the erosion can include, pain, sensitivity, higher incidence of decay, and a darker appearance in your teeth because the layer below the white enamel is a darker shade.

Generally, teeth affected by this type of damage cannot always be fixed with fillings; more often the treatment consists of veneers or crowns.

The following are ways to minimize the damage:

* Limit consumption of high-acid foods and drinks
* Use a straw for soda or juice - it helps minimize contact with the teeth
* Eating acidic foods as part of a meal will help neutralize and eliminate acids. The worst time to consume these foods is just before bedtime (saliva production decreases during sleep)
* Neutralize acid consumption by eating cheese or swishing with water or a fluoride rinse
* Brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste 30 minutes before consuming acidic food or drinks is most beneficial
* Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva, therefore, neutralizing the acid in your mouth

People who suck on lemon or orange slices, as well as runners who suck on hard candies while they run, are "bathing their teeth in acid". That's not a good idea.

In addition to acidic foods and drinks, people with eating disorders, such as bulimia, are at a high risk of enamel erosion due to the vomiting. Many people have acid relux who are also at risk because of the acid that may be coming into their mouths from their digestive systems.

If you suspect you or a family member may be suffering from any of the above conditions, you should be evalulated by a medical doctor for a diagnosis.

The above information is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan.

Electronic Tooth Brushes...Should You or Shouldn't You?

One of the most common questions we are asked in our dental practice is, "Should I be using an electric toothbrush?" The truth is the answer to that question depends on each patients' individual situation and dental needs.

Most patients do well with a manual toothbrush; however, there are some patients who would benefit from using an electric toothbrush such as:

· patients with arthritis

· Parkinson's patients

· patients with physical limitations

· patients with heavy plaque and tartar build up

The electric toothbrush you choose is a matter of preference. However, whichever toothbrush you choose, it is important to use it properly. This means allowing the brush to do the work. When using an electric brush, you do not need to use pressure or the movement of your hand and wrist. The electric brush does all the work; all you need to do is place the bristles on the tooth along the edge of the gumline and follow along the edge of the gumline. Easy!

It is also important to realize that using an electric toothbrush DOES NOT take the place of flossing. Although an electric brush may reach some areas better than using a manual brush, it still does not get in between the teeth completely.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your individual needs, we would be happy to discuss this with you at your next dental visit.


The above information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute health or medical advice. Consult a qualified dentist to determine an individualized treatment plan. All information provided is for general information and educational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or healthcare advice, or to diagnose medical problems, or to take the place of professional medical care. Consult a qualified dentist or physician to determine an individualized treatment plan or to gain medical or healthcare-related advice.

Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the contents of this educational piece is current, accurate and complete, neither David A. Dersh, D.M.D., P.A. nor any other party involved in the publication of this paper make guarantees of any kind as to its accuracy, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose and are not responsible for any errors or omissions of any kind.