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The Connection Between Asthma And Oral Health

People with asthma are almost one fifth more likely to experience gum disease, a recent study in the Journal of Periodontology reveals. Roughly 235 million people around the globe experience asthma — an inflammatory disease that narrows and inflames the airways, therefore resulting in symptoms like difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, and tightening of the chest. This condition can also cause dry mouth, which can lead to plaque buildup and gum disease. If you have asthma, it’s important to take steps to look after your dental health and keep plaque and gum disease at bay.

Avoiding common asthma triggers

People with asthma can avoid experiencing symptoms and better protect their dental health by limiting their exposure to triggers. Asthma has a number of triggers, including extreme weather conditions (high humidity or low temperatures,) airborne irritants like smoke and chemical fumes, and allergens like pollen, animal dander, and household pests. It can be especially important to be vigilant for signs of household pests as they can often get inside without owners realizing. In particular, cockroaches, rodents, and bed bugs can exacerbate asthma symptoms, so it’s important to check your home regularly for signs of activity and tackle infestations if necessary.

The problem of dry mouth

If you have asthma, you probably sometimes experience dry mouth — also known as Xerostomia — a condition in which the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Dry mouth often occurs in people with asthma as restricted airflow forces them to breathe through the mouth. Asthma inhalers further contribute to this condition by repressing salivary glands and limiting saliva production. Saliva is essential for washing away bad bacteria. Instead, dry mouth creates ideal conditions for harmful bacteria to harbor and create plaque buildup — leading to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease.

Preventing gum disease

Fortunately, there are several ways you can protect their oral health and keep gum disease at bay in spite of asthma. Always rinse your mouth with water after using your inhaler. You may even consider brushing your teeth after using it, too, which can be even more effective. It’s important to use an inhaler that is easy on the teeth and mouth, as some make you more prone to cavities than others. Your current inhaler may even be sweetened with sugar to make it more palatable. Ask your doctor if there’s an alternative suitable inhaler available that can help you protect your oral health. You can also let your dentist know about your asthma and ask them for advice on the best ways to manage your oral health and hygiene. For example, sipping water regularly throughout the day is an effective way of preventing dry mouth.

Ultimately, the best way to look after your dental health is by keeping on top of your dental hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. While gum disease can be treated, prevention is undoubtedly the best approach. By staying proactive about your oral health, people with asthma can easily maintain a beautiful and healthy smile for life.

(01/22/2021)
by Dental News

More Information: https://www.dentalnews.com/2020/05/04/connection-asthma-oral-health/

What is globus pharyngeus?

Globus pharyngeus does not interfere with swallowing or breathing, but it can become quite annoying. It can also lead to significant health anxiety, since people with this sensation may worry they are choking or about to choke.

Globus pharyngeus makes the throat feel partly blocked. People experiencing this feeling often refer to a lump in the throat. Some others describe the sensation as scratchy, throbbing, tense, or like they have a pill stuck in their throat.

The sensation is not painful, but it can be annoying. A fundamental difference between globus pharyngeus and other throat issues is that there is no actual lump in the throat when a person experiences the globus sensation.

The globus sensation is different from dysphagia, which is difficulty swallowing. However, some people with globus pharyngeus may report difficulty swallowing or feel anxious that swallowing will cause choking.

Most people with globus pharyngeus find that symptoms temporarily improve after drinking, and sometimes after eating.

Anxiety and psychological symptoms can cause the globus pharyngeus. The condition was once called globus hystericus, and doctors as far back as Hippocrates have assumed that people who experienced this symptom were “hysterical.”

Doctors now know that the globus sensation can have both psychological and physical causes and that people are not faking their symptoms – even when there is no physical cause.

Unless globus pharyngeus follows choking, it is safe to wait to see if the sensation disappears on its own.

People who have previously experienced globus pharyngeus and sought treatment do not need to see a doctor unless the symptoms are worse, significantly different, or painful.

People should see a doctor for the globus sensation when it is accompanied by:

pain in the throat or neck

weight loss

sudden symptoms after the age of 50

vomiting

difficulty swallowing

pain during swallowing

choking when swallowing

muscle weakness in the throat or elsewhere in the body

A mass that can be seen or felt in or around the neck or throat

symptoms that get progressively worse

symptoms that signal an infection or other serious health issues, such as fever or swollen lymph nodes.

Treatment

There are no specific medications or lifestyle changes available to treat globus pharyngeus. Also, people who have previously experienced globus pharyngeus may experience it again, particularly in times of stress.

When the globus sensation is due to another medical condition, treating that condition can remove globus pharyngeus. For example, antacids and lifestyle remedies may help with globus pharyngeus related to (GERD) Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

(01/27/2021)
by Medical News Today

More Information: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318633

What Does Jaundice Tongue Tell Us About Our Liver?

Jaundice is a very common condition that comes with yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes. Even someone that isn’t a doctor would be able to tell when someone has jaundice. The give-away is the yellowing of the eyes and skin. But is there any other part that can be indicative of jaundice? Of course, there is. Another part that can tell you that a person has jaundice is the tongue. Yeah, a yellow tongue to be precise.

There are times that the yellowing of the tongue is actually harmless. But there are also times that the yellowing of the tongue tells a lot. Especially in cases such as jaundice.

Well, there are some other conditions that would cause the yellowing of the tongue. Some of the conditions are quite serious and they need treatment immediately. That’s why it’s important that you don’t discard the symptom when you notice it. Make sure you go see a doctor. That way you would be able to get a proper diagnosis of the problem. We will also be taking a look at the possible causes of this condition. Let’s dive into it.

Jaundice Tongue

Jaundice is a liver condition. This happens when there is a buildup of bilirubin in the liver. That’s because the liver can’t properly get rid of the waste product bilirubin. This, therefore, leads to yellowing of the eyes and skin.

So what is bilirubin? This is actually a yellow pigment that is gotten from the breaking down of red blood cells. This is a waste product that must be gotten rid of. If it’s not gotten rid of it accumulates and causes changes in color in some parts of the body. The common ones are the eyes and skin. One that people are not so familiar with is the tongue.

Patients that have jaundice can also experience changes in the color of the tongue.

(01/25/2021)
by Fatty Liver Disease

More Information: https://fattyliverdisease.com/jaundice-tongue/

How Are Face Masks Affecting Oral Health?

As we are living through a pandemic, you have been taking all sorts of precautions in order to reduce your risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19. This includes working from home, washing your hands more frequently, avoiding social gatherings, and wearing a face mask when you are in public. Wearing your face covering is a great step against contagion, but you should also be aware of how it is affecting your smile. Your dentist shares more about the dental effects of a face mask and what you can do to counteract them.

How Can Face Masks Affect Your Oral Health?

Many dentists have been noticing that after numerous areas in the country started encouraging and requiring people to wear face masks, there have been an increase in cases of dry mouth. This is mostly because people are breathing through their mouths more often. Here are some of the ways this affects your smile:

Increased Tooth Decay: When there isn’t enough saliva in the mouth to flush away food particles, bacteria begin to thrive. They will breed and ultimately cause patients to develop more cavities.

Gum Inflammation: When there is an abundance of bacteria attacking the mouth, the body’s natural response is inflammation. The antimicrobial components of saliva would normally counteract this.

Periodontal Disease: Gum disease is more likely to develop if you have dry mouth because this creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Over time, they will slowly damage the gums and bone structure. This will lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and tooth loss.

Halitosis (Bad Breath): Halitosis is a result of bacteria in the mouth. If you have been wearing your face mask for a long period of time, you may begin to notice that your breath suffers.

How Can You Prevent the Negative Effects of Face Masks?

You don’t need to stop wearing your mask in order to keep your smile healthy. Instead, make sure you are doing the following thinks to maintain excellent oral health as we’re getting through the pandemic:

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

Brush twice and floss once every day.

Always breathe through your nose – not your mouth!

See your dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings.

It’s great that you’re doing your part to fight back against COVID-19 in your community, but don’t forget about your dental health. By taking these steps, your smile will thank you.

(01/23/2021)
by Goodman Dental Care

More Information: https://www.goodmandentalcare.com/blog/dentist-face-mask-effects/

Can Acid reflux be related to the erosion of my teeth?

Did you know your digestive health can affect your teeth?

Frequent stomach upset can cause a gradual wearing away of the protective enamel on your teeth, a process known as tooth erosion. This can affect the appearance of your teeth and open the door for harmful bacteria that cause cavities.

How Do Stomach Problems Affect My Teeth?

Your stomach produces natural acids that help your body digest food. Sometimes, these acids travel up the throat and into the mouth, especially after a large meal. Ordinarily, our saliva rebalances the acid levels in our mouth and everything’s fine.

But for those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, also known as acid reflux or GERD, gastric acids reach the mouth throughout the day. This process is especially damaging when you’re asleep, since you are swallowing less often and your mouth is producing less saliva.

Another concern is the dry mouth caused by many acid reflux medicines. Saliva not only helps neutralize the acids caused by acid reflux, but also helps to wash away food particles and reduce bacteria that attack tooth enamel. This is why lower saliva production may increase your risk for cavities.

What Does Reflux-Related Erosion Do to My Teeth?

Acid reflux can wear away the enamel on the inside surfaces of your teeth, as well as the chewing surfaces. Your dentist may notice this during an exam.

Unfortunately, tooth erosion is permanent. If your enamel has started to wear away, you may:

Feel pain or sensitivity when consuming hot, cold or sweet drinks

Notice a yellowish discoloration of the teeth

Find that your fillings have changed

Face greater risks for cavities over time

Develop an abscess, in extreme cases

Experience tooth loss, also in extreme cases

Once erosion occurs, you may need fillings, crowns, a root canal or even tooth removal. Veneers may be an option to restore the look of your smile.

How to Protect Your Teeth – And Get Relief

Chewing sugar-free gum can encourage saliva production, which helps neutralize and wash away the acids in your mouth. Look for one with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Prescription or over-the-counter fluoride and desensitizing toothpastes may help strengthen tooth enamel.

Avoiding alcohol and smoking and refraining from eating 3 hours before bedtime may reduce the frequency of acid reflux episodes.

If heartburn, acid reflux or other stomach problems are part of your daily life, work with your physician on a care plan to treat the underlying causes of your stomach troubles.

If you suffer from acid reflux, see your dentist regularly so they can make sure your teeth stay healthy, recommend ways to prevent tooth enamel erosion and suggest ways to get relief if you are also suffering from dry mouth.

(01/26/2021)
by ADA

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/AmericanDentalAssociation

Did you know allergies can affect oral health?

If you’re a person who suffers from allergies, then the spring of the year can be a tough time for you, as the pollen count rises. Unfortunately, a connection has been discovered between seasonal allergy flare-ups and oral health issues. The good news is your dentist in Richardson has some simple remedies that you should be aware of. Learn about them as you continue reading!

How Allergies Can Cause Tooth Pain

When allergens and dust enter your nasal passage, your immune system goes to work to nix them. One of your body’s response mechanisms is to produce mucus, which is actually a protective substance that works to prevent allergens, bacteria and viruses from engulfing the human body.

However, when mucus builds up in the sinuses, some of which are located above the mouth, there can be tooth pain from the pressure applied.

For relief, you can take antihistamines. If the pain subsides, then your toothache is likely allergy-related.

A Dry Mouth from Allergies

Allergy symptoms can contribute to a dry mouth in two ways:

If you have a stuffy nose, and you’re forced to breathe through your mouth, it can leave the latter dry.

Taking antihistamines for relief can cause the mouth to become dry as well.

The main problem with a dry mouth is that it creates an atmosphere more conducive to the growth of new bacteria, which can increase the chances of cavity development, gum disease and unpleasant breath.

Allergies and Throat Soreness

Allergies can also cause a condition called postnasal drip, which is the result of the excessive accumulation of mucus in the back of the nose that eventually drips into the throat. This can leave the same irritated, and it can lead to bad breath.

How to Effectively Respond

Here are four steps you can take for some relief:

Drink more water – By staying hydrated, you can make it harder for bacteria to grow, and it can also help to flush away excess mucus.

Gargle with salt-water – A simple salt-water solution, when gargled, helps to draw mucus out of the sinuses. In addition, it can reduce the number of bacteria present in your mouth.

Practice proper oral hygiene – Brushing and flossing consistently also helps to reduce the number of bacteria present in your mouth, and it aids in preventing offensive breath.

Treat your allergies – Although there is a chance of some minor side effects, you should still treat your allergies. Additionally, you should try to stay away from known triggers.

Visit your dentist – Your dentist understands how allergies can impact your oral health, so to receive expert advice and to avoid cavities and other issues, you should be sure to visit for preventive care.

By being proactive, you won’t have to suffer through allergy season. With the help of your dentist, you can be prepared and as healthy as possible!

(01/22/2021)
by Meredith G. Davis, DDS

More Information: https://www.meredithdavisdds.com/blog/2019/04/allergies-and-oral-health-your-dentist-in-richardson-has-solutions/

When is a tooth extraction necessary?

If you’ve been to our office, or even if you follow our blog then you know that we’re big proponents of keeping your natural teeth. But every once in a while there are times when it just isn’t possible to save your natural tooth, and you’ll need to have your tooth extracted.

So if you’re wondering where that line gets drawn, then read on!

WHY DO TEETH NEED TO BE EXTRACTED?

The first thing that you have to understand is that teeth don’t just fall out on their own (unless it’s a baby tooth), or just randomly need to be extracted. It has nothing to do with age but has everything to do with your oral health.

There’s essentially three common reasons that a tooth would need to be extracted. And the first is the number one cause:

Tooth Extraction Due To Bacteria & Decay

In your mouth there’s bacteria called Biofilm, and they feed off of leftover sugar from the foods and drinks that you consume. The by-product is highly acidic and causes damage to your natural tooth structure forming cavities and to your gums causing you to develop a very serious condition called periodontal disease.

It’s when that bacteria is left undisturbed that you really begin to have problems. Which is exactly why you need to see the dentist at the recommended times and really step up your home care routines.

However, a tooth extraction may become necessary when that bacteria has gotten too deep inside the tooth to be salvaged (even with the help of getting a root canal). In other words, the decay is so bad that the tooth is rotten and needs to be removed.

This can also be the case when you have severe periodontal (gum) disease because that bacteria has destroyed the bone that is necessary to hold your teeth in place. Other diseases involve the bite on a tooth, muscular spasms, or an infection of the facial nerves (Trigeminal Neuralgia); all are good reasons to say goodbye to a problem tooth!

Tooth Extraction Due To Trauma

The second reason that a tooth may need to be extracted is due to trauma. Trauma can be an accident that you have. When the too much of the natural tooth has been broken or the tooth is cracked to be repaired with a filling, crown, or veneer then an extraction may be necessary.

Or the trauma can be from a misaligned bite that is causing you to grind or clench your teeth. If you do not wear an occlusal guard, or get treatment to correct this misalignment, with time, you will wear down the enamel of your teeth which makes your teeth more susceptible to cracking.

And cracked teeth are likely to be unsalvageable (not to mention painful).

Tooth Extraction Due To Crowding

Our philosophy is all about keeping your natural teeth & being proactive with your oral health. So, we don’t typically recommend that you have teeth pulled for orthodontic treatments, but there may be rare cases when this is necessary.

Your wisdom teeth are another thing that can cause you issues. Wisdom teeth are notorious for:

Crowding adjacent teeth

Not coming through on their own

Coming through at an awkward angle

Can be problematic to clean and maintain

When that is the case (because it’s not always the case), Dr. Powell will evaluate your specifics and help you determine if wisdom teeth extraction will be the best course of action for you.

Once you’ve completed the healing process, and depending on your specific needs, there are several options to replace the tooth that missing tooth. In a previous post, we discussed why it’s important not to leave gaps in your smile because it’s likely that it will cause you even more problems down the line.

Some of the most common options to replace missing teeth include:

Dental Implant & Crown (mimics your natural tooth)

Dental Bridge

Denture

So, as you can see sometimes a recommended tooth extraction ultimately benefits you by creating a healthier smile.

(01/28/2021)
by Exepcional Dentistry

More Information: https://www.exceptionaldentistryca.com/are-you-experiencing-problems-with-a-tooth-in-your-mouth-having-a-tooth-extracted-can-often-be-the-best-choice-for-you/

Dr Telles is dedicated to education and currently serves as a clinical professor at USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry

Born in Los Angeles, Dr. David Telles grew up in LA until the age of 6 where he moved with his family to Huntington Beach, CA in 1986. Throughout his high school years at Edison High, he excelled in the mathematics and sciences due to the support of his family whom were in the sciences.

He then graduated from Edison High school as a distinguished scholar. Throughout his young years, Dr. Telles enjoyed working with his hands as he built r/c model planes and flew them in his past time. In addition, he participated in the tennis team in high school and played golf for leisure.

Dr. Telles then went to the University of Southern California as a 3rd generation of his family to attend. He obtained his B.A. in Biological Sciences and a minor in web development. Then he went on to attend New York University where he graduated as member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon which is reserved to the highest 10% of the graduating class.

In 2006 he completed his NYU dental training and went on to a general practice residency where he was involved with numerous complex hospital cases and completed rotations in medicine and anesthesia at UCLA-Harbor Medical Center. During his GPR, Dr. Telles found his passion for oral surgery and decided to go to the University of Illinois at Chicago for an oral surgery internship under the direction of Michael Miloro.

Upon the completion of his oral surgery internship, he transitioned into his residency training at NYU-Woodhull Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Orrett Ogle. There he received extensive training in trauma, pathology, implantology, dento-alveolar, IV sedation and orthognathic surgery. During 2011 he attended the International Committee of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons meeting in Santiago, Chile where he presented a free paper on the Incidence of Oro-facial infection - a retrospective study. At the end of his residency training, he received the resident of the year award determined by both his colleagues and attending faculty.

After residency, Dr Telles worked one year as an associate in Sacramento with a large multi-office group called Sacramento Oral Surgery. Afterwards, Dr Telles decided to return to southern California to be close to family. Naturally, Dr. Telles and Dr. Marshall are working in a joint effort to provide the highest quality oral surgery. In addition to private practice, Dr Telles is dedicated to education and currently serves as a clinical professor at USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Telles holds the true value of patient care as an essential quality that all surgeons should understand and practice. It is his goal to provide caring, comfortable and compassionate surgery to all of his patients.

(01/27/2021)

More Information: https://mybestdentists.com/DavidRodneyTelles

Whatâ€™s behind frequent strep throat?

For kids, getting strep throat over and over is a pain. It’s also a problem that has puzzled scientists. Now a study of kids’ tonsils suggests what’s up. Some kids have a faulty immune response to strep bacteria. Others are misdiagnosed with the disease when strep germs hide out in their tonsils.

That’s the finding of a study published online February 6 in Science Translational Medicine.

Each year, strep throat sickens some 600 million people across the globe. Bacteria called group-A Streptococcus are to blame. The sickness can cause a sore throat, fever and more. Kids who get the disease are at risk of heart problems and rheumatic fever (a non-infectious but very serious disease).

Doctors treat strep throat with antibiotics. Still, some treated kids keep getting strep throat again and again. These children and teens tend to have smaller immune structures in their tonsils than kids who hadn’t had repeated infections, a new study finds. Those immune structures help make antibodies — proteins that fight off bacteria and viruses.

Infection-fighting antibodies come in many forms. Kids with recurring strep had fewer of these that respond to a protein in group A strep. That protein helps the microbe mess with the immune system. That protein may leave kids more prone to future infections, Crotty says.

The research is elegant and intriguing, says Stanford Shulman. He is a doctor that studies infectious disease in kids. Shulman works at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie’s Children’s Hospital of Chicago in Illinois. He was not involved in the research.

But sometimes, Shulman warns, kids diagnosed with recurrent strep throat aren’t sick. Because of some earlier infection, strep bacteria now live harmlessly in their tonsils. In such cases, a sore throat due to a virus might now be mistaken as strep throat. The reason? Tests can turn up signs that the body hosts the strep germ. An estimated 20 percent of school-aged kids are such chronic hosts of group A strep.

It’s possible some kids in the study’s recurrent strep-throat group were carriers, too, Shulman says. Future work, Shulman says, should determine which kids truly get repeat strep throat infections and which kids are strep carriers who might have been sickened this time by something else.

(01/28/2021)
by Science News for Students

More Information: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/frequent-strep-throat-immune-system-tonsils

A Dry Mouth Increases Risks For Oral Health Problems

Saliva is more than just moisture in the mouth. It is also the first stage of the digestive process and helps you to chew and speak.

Having a dry mouth on occasion happens to all of us. Occasional dry mouth may be caused from consuming alcoholic beverages or coffee. The aging process can leave people with a decreased flow of saliva as well.

Some medications also have drying side effects. These decrease saliva flow that flushes bacteria from the mouth. And the list is long. These include many antihistamines and medications for depression and urinary incontinence, among others, can cause dry mouth.

It is estimated that about 40 percent of Americans take at least one type of medicine that causes oral dryness. If you take medications that are drying to oral tissues, ask your doctor if there are alternatives without this side effect. Some medications that have a particularly drying effect include antihistamines, aspirin, asthma medications and ‘cough and cold’ syrups.

Medical conditions, such as acid reflux, sinus infections, diabetes and bronchitis can also contribute to dry mouth. Snoring, a bad cold or being a habitual mouth breather create drying conditions as well.

And the worst cause of all for dry mouth? Smoking.

Let’s get back to the root of the problem, however – oral bacteria. A buildup of this bacteria creates a sticky film, known as plaque. While daily brushing and flossing curtail the accumulation of bacteria, an adequate flow of saliva helps to keep bacteria levels under control throughout the day along with twice daily brushing and daily flossing.

Sounds simple, yet an estimated 47 percent of adults in the U.S. have some form of gum disease and is the nation’s leading cause of tooth loss. Missing teeth eventually lead to a long list of challenges far beyond the mouth, from gastrointestinal to psychological. Some studies have noted that the number of natural teeth a person has correlates to lifespan.

There is an intricate connection between your oral health your overall health. For decades, researchers have studied the link between the bacteria of periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and heart disease, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, preterm babies, and some types of cancer.

Obviously, maintaining good oral health is important. And, it’s clear that adequate saliva flow is a beneficial component in this effort. To combat dry mouth, it is recommended that you drink plenty of plain water throughout the day. Consider using an oral rinse especially formulated for dry mouth and be dedicated to your brushing and flossing routine at home.

Because your 6-month check-ups and cleanings are structured to remove build-up that has accumulated between visits, these appointments will help you to minimize or eliminate damage to teeth and gums. Thus, you save time and money through an involved relationship with your dentist.

At each appointment, remember to update us on all the medications you take (both prescription and over-the-counter). We know your goal is to avoid gum disease and subsequent tooth loss. Knowing your medical and dental history and list of medications can help us be more proactive on your behalf.

And remember…– Brush at least twice daily. Use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue with your toothbrush after brushing teeth.– Floss daily. If you find this action difficult, buy an electronic or water flosser.– Drink plenty of water! If you take medications that have a drying side effect, use an oral rinse that acts as saliva.

(01/24/2021)
by Smile Your Best Dental

More Information: https://smileyourbest.com/a-dry-mouth-increases-risks-for-oral-health-problems/