Causes and Treatment of Canker Sores

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

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

How to Prevent Cavities for Yourself and Your Child by Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo

How to Prevent Cavities for Yourself and Your Child
by Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo

Most people are aware of the things they must do and avoid to prevent cavities, but I want to highlight the major points.  First of all, brushing 2-3 times a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste is a must.  After a day of eating, your teeth need to be cleaned before bedtime.  If not, all of the bacteria will adhere to your teeth and start breaking down the enamel causing cavities, or decalcification.  Please remember to also brush your children’s teeth.  Most children still need help properly brushing their teeth up to the age of 7.

    Second, flossing is needed to clean the areas of your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.  You can floss as much as you would like, but your dentist wants you to floss every night to prevent cavities between your teeth and to keep your gums healthy.  Your children also need help flossing.  Some kids have wide gaps between all of their teeth, but these gaps close and some kids don’t have these gaps at all.  Your dental hygienist can show you how to floss your own and your children’s teeth.

    Third, fluoride is needed to keep teeth healthy and strong.  Most toothpaste has fluoride in their ingredients.  Fluoride can stop new cavities from forming and help remineralize the little ones that have already formed.  Most cities have fluoride in the water supply.  Gettysburg does not have fluoridated water.  The first step is to find out if there is fluoride in your water source.  With this knowledge, talk to your dental provider and determine if your children need a supplement during the years when their permanent teeth are forming.  This would be ingested fluoride helping the teeth that are forming.  The other fluoride source is topical.  This is the “fluoride treatment” after your dental cleaning.  This helps keep the teeth that are already in your mouth cavity free.

    Fourth, sealants are recommended for your children’s molars when they erupt.  Sealant is a material that flows into the grooves of your molars and make the area smooth thus preventing cavities from forming by making it easier to keep these teeth clean.  A child can still get a cavity in a sealed tooth.  If a person eats lots of sticky candies, or chews on ice, etc. it can break off the sealants (or parts of the sealant) letting the bacteria reach the grooves.  Your dental professional will check the sealants to make sure that the sealants are not breaking down.  At this time, your dentist will determine if the area can be sealed again, or if a cavity is already formed.  Sealants in combination with the above mentioned prevention would make sure your child stays cavity free.

    Fifth, the sugar contained in soda combines with bacteria on the teeth to produce acid that eat away a tooth’s protective enamel.  Diet soda is worse because it has its own acid that erodes enamel.  With both drinks, the acid lasts for about 20 minutes and starts over again when you take another sip.  Soda isn’t the only sugary drink.  Please limit drinking other sugary liquids like sports drinks.

    Last, and the thing that ties all of the above together are regular dental visits.  When you visit your dentist every 6 months, they are able to assess your situation and offer guidance and treatment to keep your teeth healthy. 

Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS is a pediatric dentist at Drs. Seidel and DeFilippo and Dental Associates.

Drs. Seidel and DeFilippo and Dental Associates.

353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

Special Care Dentistry

Learn more about dental care for people with special needs.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

What To Know About TMJ

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

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

Bad Breath (also known as Halitosis)

Learn more about Bad Breath, which is also known as Halitosis.

The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193  

Common Myths of Gum Disease # 6

I have diabetes. Will I get gum disease
Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects your body's ability to process sugar. The resulting high blood sugar can cause problems with your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other parts of your body. Diabetes can also lower your resistance to infection and can slow the healing process. If you have diabetes, you are at greater risk of developing some oral health problems, including gum disease, so it's important that you are extra diligent with your oral health.

The above article is from: MouthHealthy.org

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193