Main Causes of Canker Sores

Canker sores are very small and shallow ulcers that erupt in the mouth and usually make talking and eating troublesome. They appear as round white spots with red borders. The sores can either be simple or complex. Unlike complex sores that are rare, simple canker sores last for a week and can appear up to five times in one year. They are, however, more common in kids than in adults. The cause of canker sores is uncertain, but researchers consider that several factors contribute to the condition. Here are the five top causes of the condition.

Stress and injury

Any injury or stress on the tissues of the mouth can lead to canker sores. Since they are tiny sores, they can result from any form of hard brushing or eating that can bruise or inflame tissues in the mouth. People also suffer from the sores due to dental structures such as braces. Using oral products that are harsh can damage the outer layer of the mouth and lead to the sores. Similarly, poor oral hygiene and poorly fitted dentures can lead to injury and stress of mouth tissues which eventually causes canker sores.

Vitamin Deficiency

Various problems of the skin, as well as, outermost layers of areas such as in the mouth are caused by vitamin deficiencies. For canker cakes, vitamin B-12 can trigger the condition. Kids need a lot of vitamins because they are continuously growing and their bodies are demanding for more vitamins. Remember, if not compromised to take fruits and vegetables, children choose to dwell much on sugary things such as cakes. Too avert the vitamin B-12 deficiency, applying vitamin capsules on areas with sores or taking vitamin B-12 capsules can provide recovery.

A Poor Body Immune System

People with poor immune systems are more to the sores than those with stable immune systems. Although there is no specific correlation of sores with the immune system, a poor body immune system is known to be a cause of several body conditions. Furthermore, there is evidence that other diseases and gastrointestinal problems can cause canker sores.

Nutritional Deficiency

Several studies on canker sores have revealed that canker sores can be triggered by a deficiency in zinc, iron, and folic acids among other nutrients and minerals. Lack of calcium in the body can also cause the sores or worsen the situation. To curb nutritional deficiency, health eating is the only solution.

Some Vegetables and Fruits

It is ironic that some fruits and vegetables are healthy, but can lead to detrimental body conditions such as canker sores. Most citrus fruits are acidic and can trigger or worsen the sores. Although fruits such as pineapples, lemons and oranges cannot cause the sores, they can trigger their emergence when there is stress on the inside surfaces of the mouth. When one has the sores, it is advisable to keep off fruits such as tomatoes, figs, apples, and strawberries to avoid accelerating the condition.

Apart from the above five mentioned causes, other factors that can lead to the sores are such as emotional stress, hormonal shifts during menstruation, allergic response to bacteria in the mouth, and sensitivity to certain foods.

Main Causes of Canker Sores is a post from: http://topbcdental.com

Traditional Tooth bush VS Electric Tooth Brush

Classic VS. Electric Toothbrush Throw-Down

Toothbrushes in general have come a long way given rapid advances in science and technology, and these often overlooked and common hygienic tool have been overhauled and given a major upgrade with the advent of electric toothbrushes. Consumers now have two choices among many others- choose the old traditional and reliable toothbrush, or opt in to the new generation of electric toothbrushes? What are the major differences between these two types, and are the benefits in using each? A side by side comparison is made, and a list of Pros and Cons for each type given to decide which is the better one:

Traditional Toothbrush vs. Electric Toothbrush

A manual toothbrush allows thorough cleaning of teeth with the application of proper brushing techniques. It would only take 2 minutes to do so. You can choose from a myriad of toothbrush styles, heads, bristles, and various colors. Soft bristles are ideal for sensitive gums and a smaller head for a smaller mouth. Children’s toothbrushes come in different attractive designs. It is inexpensive and conveniently does not require batteries which makes it perfect as a travel companion. However, it can require more work and effort because you must be able to get to those hard to reach places. You would also have to manually time yourself to meet the requirements of a good brushing session.

An electric toothbrush provides convenience and ease of use. It is powerful and designed perfectly for your mouth and teeth. All that you would have to do is place it at a 45 degree angle and let it do its job. Significantly less work is required of you than using a manual toothbrush, no need for great brushing techniques. It has been reported in studies that an electric toothbrush does a better job of thoroughly cleaning your mouth, as well as removing plaque and gingivitis. It has also been proven at some point to help fight gum diseases. It’s a lot of fun to use especially with kids, they would get excited to brush their teeth rather than whine and procrastinate. It tickles them a bit so they enjoy ding it. It’s also the easy way out in the task of brushing teeth. It also has timers and indicators to instill good brushing habits in kids. This built in timer works as well for adults because it stops the brush once your two minutes are up so you don’t need to manually think of the time spent for your brushing session. Given all these desirable uses and benefits of an electric toothbrush, it also has some disadvantages. You will need to charge your electric toothbrush or replace its batteries, so it would be a good idea to have some ready in case it runs out. It also costs substantially more than a manual toothbrush. It can be bulky to bring along when you travel since you would have to bring the charger as well or pack some extra batteries. Careful handling must be observed because dropping it will most likely result to a broken or faulty electric toothbrush.

Given the list of beneficial Pros and the potential Cons of Traditional Toothbrush vs. Electric Toothbrush, an informed decision can be gleaned and wisely made. In choosing what type of toothbrush is best for you, don’t forget that overall dental hygiene is the most important aspect of brushing. What good is the toothbrush if it is not being used regularly? Any dentist that you see will tell you to brush at least twice each day. Remember as well the importance of replacing your old toothbrush after around three months time. A good brushing habit, usually after each meal, additional flossing, gargling with mouthwash are the best practices that you should continue on doing to ensure that your teeth are happy and well. A great set of teeth can potentially improve your overall image and well-being. It potentially gives you more success when dealing with people, so keep on brushing!

Traditional Tooth bush VS Electric Tooth Brush is a post from: http://topbcdental.com

Top Signs of Gum Disease

Watch Out For These Signs of Gum Disease

There are mainly two types of gum disease: Periodontitis and Gingivitis. The disease that affects the gums and the supporting structures of the teeth is called periodontal disease. The early stage of periodontal disease is gingivitis and is characterized by redness of the gums, which become inflamed and bleed easily. There is very little discomfort at this stage, but in this case the danger is latent. If it is not in this state, periodontal disease can progress to periodontitis where there is irreversible damage to the gums.

PERIODONTITIS

In periodontitis, the most advanced stage of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding the teeth and bone are destroyed. Bags are formed in the gums and they are filled with infection. As the disease progresses, teeth become mobile or loose and eventually can fall or require that they be extracted.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are many signs of periodontal disease. It is important to visit your dentist if you notice any of the following symptoms:

– Gums bleed when brushing teeth

– Red, swollen or painful gums

– Loose gums, persistent bad breath

– Pus between the teeth and gums

– Loose teeth or they are spreading

– Changes in your bite

– Changes in the adaptation of partial dentures

However, it is possible to have periodontal disease without noticing any of these signs. The majority of the people won’t feel any pain due to disease and that often goes unnoticed. For this reason, it is important to request appointments with your dentist and ask for a periodontal evaluation.

GINGIVITIS

As more time remains the plaque and tartar on the teeth, they can do more damage. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, which is called “gingivitis”. If you have gingivitis, then the gums are red, swollen and bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be cured with brushing and flossing daily, in addition to periodic cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of periodontal disease does not cause loss of the bone or tissue holding the teeth.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The symptoms of gingivitis, gum disease include:

– Constant bad breath

– Red or swollen gums

– Very sensitive gums or that bleed

– Pain when chewing

– Loose teeth

– Sensitive teeth

– Receded gums or teeth that are longer than normal.

Any of these symptoms can be a sign of a serious problem that should be examined by a dentist. When you go to the dentist, the dentist or hygienist must:

– Ask you questions about your medical history to determine if there are other problems or risk factors, such as smoking, that might influence the gum disease.

– Examine your gums to see if there is any sign of inflammation.

– Use a “probe”, which is a kind of very small rule, to determine if there is Periodontal pockets and measure them. In a healthy mouth, the depth of these bags is between 1 and 3 millimeters. This test does not normally cause pain.

The dentist or hygienist also can:

– Make an x-ray to see if there is loss or wear of the bone.

Recommend you to a periodontist. The periodontist is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the gums and can give you treatment options not offered by your dentist.

Top Signs of Gum Disease is a post from: http://topbcdental.com

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