The Sun City Dentist Talks About Tongue Health, PART 3

This four-part article series talks about the various ailments and conditions that can cause tongue problems, from unsightly discoloration to uncomfortable bumps and ridges.

Welcome to the third installment of our four-part article series on the various illness and conditions that can lead to tongue problems. In our previous two articles, we spoke to Sun City dentists about the possible causes of red or “strawberry” tongue and white tongue. Now, let’s move on to something that sounds particularly terrible and unpleasant… black hairy tongue.

What are the Causes of Black Hairy Tongue?

In spite of how awful it must sound to have your usually pink tongue turn into something that resembles a live tarantula, black hairy tongue isn't usually all that serious or dangerous, although it is linked with particularly nasty breath.

“Your tongue is covered with little bumps called papillae or taste buds,” Sun City dentist explains. “These continue to grow throughout the course of your lifetime, which is a good thing because your daily activities and eating cause them to become warn down. When this isn’t the case, they can be allowed to simply grow and grow, offering bacteria excellent shelter from your oral hygiene efforts. The accumulation of bacteria in and between taste buds that have grown particularly long can lead to the development of black hairy tongue. The “hairy” part comes from the appearance of long taste buds, which stand up out of a sea of blackish bacteria.”

Not very pleasant, is it?

The good news is that black hairy tongue is totally preventable, since it is linked with the accumulation of oral bacteria in a forest of abnormally long papillae, which, in any case, isn’t very common. It also tends to be restricted to people who aren’t good about keeping up a high standard of oral hygiene. Other risk factors include diabetes, chemotherapy and people who are taking antibiotic medication.

What you can do to Prevent Black Hairy Tongue

“The most common cause of black hairy tongue is bad oral hygiene,” says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Therefore it stands to reason that upping your efforts at home will restore your tongue to its normally pink color. When you brush your teeth, make sure you include your tongue in this routine. This will discourage the growth of excessively long papillae and help to eliminate the colonies of bacteria that have taken up residence within them.

“You should also floss daily and even use an ADA-approved anti-bacterial mouth rinse. Even if you present with this condition as a result of the above-mentioned risk factors, an increase in your oral hygiene measures should help to prevent this symptom. Also, you should really seek the attention of a qualified Sun City dentist who will provide you with the appropriate diagnosis, treatment and home care advice. Black hairy tongue is wholly unpleasant and you’ll want to eliminate this condition as fast as possible.”

Stay Tuned for Part 4

To read more about the various conditions and illnesses that can affect your tongue, stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series! Next time, we’ll be looking at the problems that can cause a sore and/or bumpy tongue.

The Cosmetic Dentist in Arizona Talks About Tongue Health, PART 2

This four-part article series talks about the various ailments and conditions that can cause tongue problems, from unsightly discoloration to uncomfortable bumps and ridges.

Welcome to the second installment of our four-part article series on tongue problems! Now, we’ve all had tongue ulcers at some stage during our lives - usually caused by accidentally biting down on it - and so we all know just how hard it can be to forget it when we do have something sore or uncomfortable on our tongue. This is because we use our tongues all the time. It’s an essential group of muscles!

“Unfortunately, there is quite an impressive variety of conditions and illnesses that can affect tongue health,” explain cosmetic dentists in Arizona. “Thankfully, most of them are not serious at all and can either be treated promptly or will disappear on their own. Having said this, problems such as discoloration, textural abnormalities and growths can be indicative of far more serious ailments, including oral cancer, HIV/AIDS and vitamin deficiencies. If you notice persistent problems with your tongue, it is of vital importance that you seek professional attention.”

In our previous article post, we spoke to Sun City dental professionals about the various causes of red or “strawberry” tongue. In this article, we shall move our attention to white tongue, a condition marked by the development of white spots or a white coating.

What Can Cause White Tongue?

• Oral Lichen Planus: This condition results in the formation of a lace-like mapwork of white lines on the surface of the tongue. While the exact cause of oral lichen planus is uncertain, it often disappears on its own with the help of certain lifestyle changes. Try to avoid smoking and foods and beverages that contain irritants, such as alcohol, chili and acid. “Also, be better about brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly,” advises the cosmetic dentist in Arizona.

• Oral Thrush: Thrush is an oral yeast infection that most commonly affects the elderly, infants or people with a compromised immune system. If your tongue and possibly mouth is covered in whitish patches that can be likened to cottage cheese, you may have thrush or candidiasis. Other risk factors for this condition include lung disease, diabetes and asthmatics on steroid inhalers. “Medications are available for the treatment of thrush,” says the cosmetic dentist in Arizona. “Also, if you’re on antibiotics for an infection and develop thrush, eating plain yogurt can help restore the balance of natural oral fauna.”

• Leukoplakia: Leukoplakia is characterized by the excessive growth of cells in the soft tissues of the mouth. This results in the appearance of white, rough patches on the inner cheeks, tongue and palate. “This condition can simply be caused by exposure to an irritant, such as smoking, but it isn’t by itself dangerous,” say Sun City dental professionals. “Having said that, leukoplakia can herald oral cancer, so it’s best to have yourself assessed before you assume it will simply go away.”

Stay Tuned for Part 3

To read more about the various conditions and illnesses that can affect your tongue, stay tuned for part 3 of this four-part article series! Next time, we’ll be looking at the problems that can cause a grizzly black hairy tongue.

Sun City Dental Professionals Talk About Tongue Health, PART 1

This four-part article series talks about the various ailments and conditions that can cause tongue problems, from unsightly discoloration to uncomfortable bumps and ridges.

Whether you are aware of it or not, you use your tongue almost all the time. It is an essential organ for communication, taste and digestion. Because it is integrally involved in these activities, the various conditions and ailments that can affect it can cause acute discomfort and frustration. In order to better understand the importance of the tongue, we spoke to some Sun City dental professionals about some of the common and perhaps not so common problems that can affect this major muscle.

About The Tongue

The tongue is made up of a number of interconnected muscles, rather than just one large one. These muscles work together to provide you with the incredible control and dexterity is has in helping you eat, speak, swallow and even pull silly faces. Your tongue is covered with a blanket of tiny nodules referred to as papillae (taste buds) and when it is healthy, it should be pink right to the back of the mouth.

There are four over-arching tongue problems that one might develop and our panel of Sun City dental professionals will be discussing them in detail throughout this four-part article series:

• “Strawberry” Tongue or Red Tongue
• White Tongue
• Black Hairy Tongue
• Sore and Bumpy Tongue

Let’s begin with the first...

Sun City Dental Advice: What Can Cause “Strawberry” or Red Tongue?

“A healthy tongue is a nice pink color,” say Sun City dental professionals. “But, there are a number of reasons it can become red and inflamed and for the papillae or taste buds to become swollen. This is why it is sometimes referred to as Strawberry tongue.”

Some of the causes of red tongue include:

• Scarlet Fever: An infectious disease characterized by fever, a sore throat and a red rash, hence the name. It can also cause the tongue to turn an angry shade of red. Scarlet fever typically affects young children between the age of 4 and 8 and is spread via inhalation. While there is no cure for this sickness, it can be treated successfully with antibiotics.

• Geographic Tongue: This uncomfortable condition causes the development of a network of red and, at times, white-bordered spots on the tongue. Also known as benign migratory glossitis, this condition is named after the fact that these spots develop in a pattern that looks somewhat map-like and can also shift positions.
  
  
  “Geographic tongue is typically harmless, although it can be uncomfortable and aesthetically unpleasing,” say Sun City dental professionals. “However, if the red bumps persist for more than two weeks, you should book an appointment with your dentist to make sure that you do indeed have this condition and not something more serious. Discomfort can be treated with topical anesthetic gels.”

• Kawasaki Syndrome: A condition that affects the blood vessels in the body and especially targets children younger than 5 years of age. It can cause fever, strawberry tongue and red, swollen feet and hands during the more severe phase of illness.

• Vitamin Deficiencies: “If your diet is short of vitamin B-12 or folic acid, your tongue may appear redder than normal,” say Sun City dentists.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To read more about the various conditions and illnesses that can affect your tongue, stay tuned for part 2 of this four-part article series! Next time, we’ll be looking at the problems that can cause white tongue.

Dental Myths Busted by Dental Implants Specialists in Phoenix, PART 4

This four-part article series sets about explaining and dispelling the many common myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health and hygiene and certain dental procedures.

Welcome to the final installment of our four-part article series in which we speak to dental implants specialists in Phoenix about the various myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health, hygiene and dental treatment. In our previous article post, it was explained that using toothpicks after a meal cannot widen the spaces between your teeth and that they should never take the place of brushing and flossing. The various causes of bad breath were also explored, revealing many more culprits than just poor oral hygiene. Now, in the final article installment of this series, we shall take a look at two final myths...

Myth # 7: If you’re pregnant, you should stay away from the dentist

The Facts: This myth is an especially dangerous one, since it’s vitally important that you get your teeth checked by the dentist when you’re pregnant! With all those fluctuating hormones, women are actually at a heightened risk of developing oral conditions, such as gingivitis and gum disease. By scheduling an appointment with your dentist at the beginning and towards the end of your pregnancy, you can keep your oral health in check, as well as get any existing or potential problems addressed in a timely manner.

“Preventative treatment for pregnant women is vitally important because some of the possible health problems caused by untreated gum disease is pre-term labour and low birth weight babies,” explain All On 4 implant specialists.

Myth # 8: Gum disease only affects your teeth and gums.

“What few people realize is that poor oral health and hygiene are closely linked with problems in other parts of the body,” say dental implant specialists in Phoenix. “Gum disease doesn’t only have implications for your teeth and gums; it’s a systemic disease, which means it affects your body as a whole and has ramifications for every organ. Patients are utterly shocked and surprised to learn of the whole-body consequences poor oral health has...”

The relationship between gum disease and osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high stroke risk, respiratory disease, kidney and liver disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and pregnancy complications are well documented in medical literature. In other words, not looking after your teeth properly can put your life at risk!

Myth # 9: Chewing gum is bad for your teeth

The Facts: “We actually encourage patients with problems such as dry mouth and gum disease to chew gum, as long as it’s sugar-free,” say All On 4 implant specialists. “Chewing gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which is your body’s natural defence against oral bacteria. Saliva also helps to wash away food debris and keeps your mouth nice and moist and comfortable. Just make sure that your choice in chewing gum is sugar-free and, if possible, contains Xylitol. This helps to neutralize acid in the mouth and remineralize your teeth after a meal or snack.”

One Last Myth: Whitening your teeth is bad for them

The Facts: “If used according to the directions, dental bleaching is not harmful to your teeth at all,” say dental implant specialists in Phoenix. “Follow the instructions, don’t overdo it and if you ever need any advice, speak to your dentist.”

Dental Myths and Misconceptions Busted by Sun City Dentists, PART 3

This four-part article series sets out explaining and dispelling the many common myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health and hygiene and certain dental procedures.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which we get Sun City dentists to explain and bust the various myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health, hygiene and dental treatment. In our previous article post, the second installment of the series, it was explained that it’s not sugar that causes cavities per se, but rather oral bacteria. These tiny critters feast upon the sugars left behind in your mouth after a meal and their subsequent proliferation and nasty excretions lead to cavities, decay and gum disease. It was also explained that osteoporosis, while a disease that affects the bones, can also lead to tooth loss, which is why proper nutrition and the correct medical management are so important.

Let’s continue busting the myths!

Dental Myth # 5: Using toothpicks actually causes the gaps between your teeth to become wider.

The Facts: “There are only two things we really want patients to know about toothpicks,” say Sun City dentists. “One... that using a toothpick after a meal should NOT replace brushing and flossing; toothpicks are there to clean bits of debris out from between your teeth to relieve discomfort and to prevent you from embarrassing yourself. Two... you must be careful not to injure your gums when poking about between your teeth. Toothpicks are quite sharp and you can actually make yourself bleed.”

Beyond these two points, there is nothing more to be said. Toothpicks do not widen the gaps between your teeth. How can they? They’re made of soft wood and your teeth are made out of the strongest substance in your body! Your teeth are also rooted firmly in your jaw, so it’ll take more than a toothpick or even a lifetime’s worth of toothpicks to affect their positioning.

Dental Myth # 6: If your breath smells bad, it means you’re not brushing properly

The Facts: “True, bad breath is most commonly the result of poor brushing habits and sloppy oral hygiene, but not always,” say dental implants specialists in Sun City. “Bad breath can actually be an indicator of systemic disease, such as diabetes. It can also be caused by the food you eat, respiratory tract infections and certain habits, such as smoking and drinking (alcohol).”

In the case of diabetes, the common side effect of halitosis is a result of the body burning fat instead of sugar for fuel (since diabetics, who do not produce enough insulin, are unable to process glucose). The byproducts of fat being burned are ketones, which are either expelled from the body via the bladder or via respiration. Unfortunately, ketones don’t smell very nice, which explains the halitosis.

The Solution: If you suspect that you may suffer from chronic bad breath, the best thing you can do for yourself is schedule an appointment with your Sun City dentist. Explain to him or her your problem and they will look closely for the cause. If your teeth and gums are in good condition and you maintain a high standard of oral hygiene, you may need to go see your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis. If you are a diabetic, you will need to use extra care in looking after your teeth and perhaps carry around some sugar-free chewing gum for those up-close-and-personal social situations.

Stay Tuned

To read more dental myths and misconceptions join us next week for the final installment of this four-part article series, courtesy of Sun City dentists.

Dental Myths Busted by Dental Implants Specialists in Arizona, PART 2

This four-part article series sets about explaining and dispelling the many common myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health and hygiene and certain dental procedures.

Welcome back to our four-part article series in which we get dental implants specialists in Arizona to explain and bust the various myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health, hygiene and dental treatment. In our previous article post it was explained that placing a tablet of aspirin next to a tooth to relieve pain doesn’t work at all and, in fact, can actually cause acid burn to the soft tissues and tooth crown. It was also explained that bleeding gums are typically a result of infection, which, in turn, is caused by poor oral hygiene. For this reason, avoiding brushing and flossing only compounds the issue. In both cases of persistent toothache and bleeding gums, patients are urged to seek the advice of their dentist. Let’s continue looking at some more myths, shall we?

Myth # 3: Sugar causes cavities

The Facts: Before you get excited and resume your five-a-day soda habit, please note the following important distinction: sugar itself doesn’t cause cavities. Bacteria do. But, bacteria love sugar and the more you eat, the more favorable an environment for bacterial growth your mouth becomes.

“People who have a diet high in sugar tend to present with more cavities and tooth decay because it provides excellent fuel for bacterial growth,” explain dental implants specialists in Arizona. “These micro-organisms feed on the sugars left behind in your mouth after a meal and in turn produce wastes that are quite acidic. These wastes sit on your teeth and eat into the dental enamel, forming tiny holes, which widen with time to form cavities. Left untreated, cavities can provide bacteria with safe refuge from the roving bristles of your toothbrush and allow decay to progress to a point where it infiltrates the pulp chamber of the tooth. At this juncture, root canal therapy may be necessary or even tooth extraction.”

The Solution: Too much sugar is bad for you anyway, so try to limit your intake. If you do enjoy a sugary snack, treat or beverage, make sure you brush your teeth afterwards, or at the very least wash your mouth out with water. Chewing sugar-free gum is also great for your teeth.

Myth # 4: Osteoporosis only affects major bones in the body, such as your hips and spine. It doesn’t affect your teeth.

The Facts: “Osteoporosis is a condition that affects the density of the bones, causing them to become brittle and fragile over time,” explain cosmetic dentistry specialists in Arizona. “It does not discriminate between the various bones in the body, so your jawbone is at just as much risk of becoming compromised if you suffer from this disease.”

The Solution: What this means for your teeth isn’t good news. Osteoporosis can cause tooth loss, so it’s vitally important that you follow the diet prescribed to you by your treating physician. The right nutrition may help you maintain proper bone support and prevent terrible problems like tooth loss.

Stay Tuned...

To read more dental myths and misconceptions join us next week for the third installment of this four-part article series, courtesy of dental implants specialists in Arizona.

Dental Myths Busted by Teeth Implants Specialists in Arizona, PART 1

This four-part article series sets about explaining and dispelling the many common myths and misconceptions surrounding oral health and hygiene and certain dental procedures.

When it comes to your teeth, oral health and the various dental procedures out there, people are full of opinions, old wives’ tales and misconceptions. Some are harmless and even quite humorous; for example, it was believed that tying a frog to your jaw would firm up loose teeth. Granted, this belief is archaic and has long since faded. But there are other myths and misconceptions about oral health that are actually dangerous, because they perpetuate ignorance and a fear of dentists and dental treatment. So, we sat down with some teeth implants specialists in Arizona and spoke to them about the dental myths they most want to see busted. What they had to say is presented to you in this four-part article series.

Dental Myth # 1: If you’ve got toothache, put an aspirin next to it to kill the pain.

The Facts: “Aspirin’s pharmaceutical action is to cease the production of prostaglandins, which function as pain transmitters,” explain denture specialists in Arizona. “In other words, they let your brain know which part of your body is hurting and how badly. However, the aspirin itself must first be absorbed into the bloodstream and the best and most effective way to achieve this is by ingesting it orally.”

Placing aspirin next to your tooth is not going to render it less painful. In fact, you could do serious damage. Aspirin is quite acidic and this could cause the adjacent soft tissues to become irritated and inflamed. Worse still, it could cause corrosion of your dental enamel, which could end up in further sensitivity, pain and the formation of cavities.

The Solution: “If you’ve got a persistent toothache, there is an underlying problem that needs to be treated,” explain teeth implants specialists in Arizona. “Since the tooth is a closed structure (encased by hard enamel) the chances of it healing on its own are very slim, so you should book an appointment with your dentist right away. Swallowing pain medication will only treat the symptoms. If you ignore tooth pain, you could end up losing the tooth.”

Dental Myth # 2: You shouldn’t brush your teeth if your gums bleed. You certainly shouldn’t floss!

The Facts: It’s understandable that you wouldn’t want to stress your gums by brushing or flossing them if they have been bleeding, but unlike torn skin, which one would put a Band-Aid over and leave to heal; the complete opposite is true of your gums. In order to understand this, you have to appreciate why gums bleed in the first place.

“Gums tear easily and bleed when they’ve become weakened by infection,” explain denture specialists in Arizona. “If you don’t brush and floss frequently and/or thoroughly enough, bacteria and food debris build up between your teeth and just below the gum line. This irritates the gums, causing them to become inflamed and infected, resulting in a condition we refer to as gingivitis. The compromised tissue tears and bleeds more easily.”

This explains why not brushing and flossing makes your problem so much worse!

The Solution: If your gums are bleeding when you brush them, you may very well have a bacterial infection. You will need to increase the frequency and duration for which you brush on a daily basis, as well as start flossing in the evening. You may also want to incorporate an anti-bacterial mouthwash into your daily hygiene routine. If it’s been more than a year since you’ve been to the dentist and oral hygienist, get booking!

Stay Tuned...

To read more dental myths and misconceptions join us next week for the second installment of this four-part article series, courtesy of teeth implants specialists in Arizona.