Delicious tasting food really does improve our quality of life – who could get by without tasting grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies, or your favorite Italian restaurant’s lasagna? Unfortunately, many people – in fact, over 200,000 people each year – visit a physician’s office for chemosensory problems (the sense receptors responsible for your taste perception functionality).
When we eat or drink, tiny molecules stimulate cells in the oral cavity which send messages through nerves (the chemosensors) to the brain, where the signals are interpreted. Taste cells are known as gustatory cells, and are mainly concentrated on the tongue, with periphery gustatory cells on mouth walls and in the throat. Additionally, the common chemical sense consists of thousands of nerve endings surrounding these gustatory cells which help describe to your brain the complexities of certain flavors.
While most people have perfectly functioning gustatory cells and common chemical senses, hundreds of thousands of Americans suffer from a lowering of taste sensitivity, a condition known as hypogeusia. Although the exact cause of hypogeusia is unknown, most cases of hypogeusia develop from illness or a debilitating injury such as respiratory infections, colds, etc. Certain chemicals (like pesticides) which can get into foods inadvertently can possibly cause diminished tasting ability, as well as radiative therapy drugs like bleomycin. Total taste loss is known as ageusia, though it is very rare and often misdiagnosed (or misinterpreted by a patient). Taste perception can be altered (dysgeusia) due to altered body chemistry, altered oral conditions or diet, usually resulting in everything tasting bitter, acidic or metallic.
Our chemosensory system exists primarily as a safety net, to alert us to problems in our dietary encounters. For example, when we taste a sour or unpleasant food, our chemosensory system is alerting us that a product has expired or gone rotten (preventing us from eating things that could harm our health). Losing the ability to taste food can lead to depression and a permanent loss of apatite. If you do suffer from taste loss, your doctor may be able to work with what medications (if any) you take and what your health status looks like, to recommend changes that could revive your full taste sense. If food tastes funny or metallic, see your dental professional and have him or her check whether for caries or gum issues. Your primary health care physician can also be contacted if there is a developing health issue you have, or if you have any questions.
Although you may think acid reflux disease and your child’s dental health are unrelated, but recent studies have suggested the close relations.
Recent studies have linked acid reflux and dental erosion.
Acid reflux disease, defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux in the esophagus, is nothing short of painful and distracting. When occurring in children, the symptoms can be even more painful and difficult to handle. Just nine days ago, the Pediatric Academic Society released findings of a study conducted by the University of California San Francisco stating children who have severe acid reflux have a much higher risk – up to six times the risk – of dental erosion and gum disease than those without acid reflux disease (or GERD). This is a unique finding and although it should be researched more before being considered fact, if your child suffers from acid reflux, be sure to keep an eye on his or her dental health!
Dental decay, erosion and sensitivity are a result of an overly acidic oral environment, and can often be quite painful and difficult for young children to handle, just like acid reflux. Regular hygiene (like brushing and flossing twice daily and after meals) is important as are regular checkups with your dental professional twice yearly, but what other things can you do to neutralize your child’s acid reflux, and in turn prevent dental and gum erosion? Besides healthy diet that consist of fresh vegetable and fruits, avoid greasy fried food , stay off sugary carbonated beverage,one physician who was a part of the aforementioned study has recommended children with acid reflux disease (even at early stages) should be started on a dental hygiene regiment, to be overlooked by a dental professional regularly, just as medical checkups are. Good dental home care program includes fluoride treatment might be suggested.
Dental erosion can be uncomfortable and potentially hazardous to your child’s oral health, which is why prevention, early detection and adequate protection are always the best keys to health. By taking the right steps early in your child’s life (especially if your child suffers from acid reflux), you can assure your child has a better chance to live his or her life with a happy, healthy smile!
It really sounded like wishful thinking, but it’s true that sometimes tooth discomfort does go away on its own.
Tooth sensitivity is a problem that many, many people suffer from caused by a multitude of reasons – but does it merit a visit to your dentist? Yes, it is in your best interest to receive a proper diagnosis. This will allow you to make an educated plan of action to have a trouble-free healthy mouth.
In some situations, the toothache or sensitivity comes and goes and is most likely a reversible inflammatory response of the tooth. Once the irritant is removed, the symptoms subside. The transient inflammation of the pulpal tissue (within the tooth) or the gum could reverse on its own because our body is capable of repairing and regenerating itself at a molecular and cellular level. As long as irritating and / or destructive factors are controlled (such as thermal, bacterial, mechanical and chemical forces) and your body is in healthy shape, your body should do its job and heal properly. At the inflammatory stage, diagnosis will rely on a clinical exam (visual and instrumental exploration, and a tooth vitality test), as well as your oral history and x-rays.
Once you have properly diagnosed your source of pain, a solution can be found. If the exam shows your tooth already has irreversible pulpitis or infection, a root canal will likely be advised. If the toothache is from decay or damaged, insufficient tooth structure, the tooth should be cleaned and restored. If the sensitivity is from gum recession and root exposure, fluoride desensitization, gum grafts or the wearing of a night guard (if bruxismor TMJ is a contributing factor) may be recommended. If you are going through orthodontic treatment (braces) or are in a transitional stage of dental treatment, ask your dental professional to check if something can be improved to make you feel better. If you have a poor diet or drink soda or alcohol, acidic erosion is likely stripping your tooth structure away, exposing dentin and causing sensitivity. Poor oral hygiene and plaque retention is also likely a factor (your mouth is like an acid bath to your teeth in this situation).
Perhaps the most important factor in preventing (and treating) sensitivity is controlling your oral environment and the destructive forces that lie within. If you suffer from night grinding, wear a night guard. If dentin and root exposure has already occurred, wearing a night guard and using desensitizing fluoride toothpaste will promote forming of secondary dentin which will block out the dentinal tubules (which conducts sensitivity) and work as a barrier to protect the tooth. Sensitivity can caused by caries decay – a cavity. Of course, cavities need to be treated by a dental professional, but if you are able to find the source of your discomfort before a cavity develops, you will be on the fast track to good health. A proper diet and oral hygiene will also vastly improve your oral health and reduce risk of decay – brush and floss twice a day, and after meals!
Learn your body inside and out, and reflect. Take time each day to notice how you feel, and if your health has shifted for the better or worse. If you feel you have a weakness in your mouth, think about what the cause is, diagnose the problem, and find a solution. Ask questions and learn from your dental professional , contol of your dental health is in your hand!
The toothbrush is, of course, an essential tool for keeping your teeth clean and plaque-free, but there are many types of toothbrushes available for use. The structure of your mouth is very intricate, including soft gum tissue, hard enamel, various crevices and spaces where food can hide, etc – and every person’s mouth is different, and responds differently to various types of brushes. How do you pick the right toothbrush for you?
If you get perfect dental check-up scores, do not have any type of gum sensitivity issues nor any other dental problems, you can probably keep your present hygiene routine. An over-the-counter toothbrush will normally suffice for people with normal gums and teeth if you are using it properly. If you have a history of dental and gum issues, special care is needed. You may need more than one toothbrush (different sizes and shapes of brush heads and tips) to adequately clean between your teeth and restorative material, such as a specialty brush shaped to accommodate dental restorations.
What about electric toothbrushes? There are many toothbrushes on the market, available both over-the-counter and from your dentist, which advertise a much deeper cleaning than what a manual toothbrush can provide. Keep in mind that an inexpensive battery-operated toothbrush often lacks the torque (twisting power) needed to adequately clean your teeth, remove plaque and remove biofilm; If you have children who refuse to brush their teeth, an electric toothbrush might be a fun way to encourage proper oral hygiene!
The more advanced electric toothbrushes, with proper technique, can clean your teeth more effectively than manual brushes. Manual brushing often does not do a good enough job at removing plaque than electric toothbrushes from your dentist (prescription electric toothbrushes like Rotadent, what I recommend to my patients has micro-filaments bristles with different tips). These brushes allow more advanced brushing techniques with different brush head attachments to accommodate different parts of the mouth, and have the necessary torque to properly clean your oral environment. If you have any of the following conditions, you should equip yourself with a better toothbrush for better oral health: orthodontic braces, gum problems, dental implants, dental bridges, arthritis, etc…
No matter what type of toothbrush you have, remember that it is necessary to spend two minutes brush at least twice a day, and after meals. The food caught between your teeth can start producing harmful bacteria only 5 minutes after eating (which is why you should bring a toothbrush to school or work every day)! Because every mouth is different, and certain tooth angles (and dental work) require special brushing or special brushes, consult with your dental professional. Besides brushing, flossing, tongue scraping, rinsing, and irrigation are all important steps to get your mouth’s environment as squeaky clean as it can be. It is a lot of work to keep yourself in top condition, but it will become second nature. You deserve paying your mouth so much attention – for your own health!
Do you suspect you have a cavity because you have a sensitive tooth? Do you stay away from ice cream, even though your teeth are not your waist line?
Tooth sensitivity is a common problem. It can be brought on from temperature change, applied pressure or touch; each sign and symptom tells a different story. There are two types of tooth sensitivity :
Dentinal sensitivity is quite common and is caused when the dentin, the layer of the tooth beneath the enamel, is exposed to your oral environment. As your teeth are used and abused, the outer enamel layer of the teeth becomes worn. Night grinding (bruxism), tooth decay, gum recession and damaged dental work (such as fillings) will all eventually cause the dentin to become exposed. Because of dentin’s porous nature, when the protective enamel layer of your tooth is compromised, any food or temperature stimulation will affect the nerve endings within the tooth’s core, causing varying levels of pain.
Pulpal sensitivity is an inflammatory reaction of the pulpal tissues, including blood vessels and nerves in the center of the tooth. The causes of this type of sensitivity include tooth decay or infection, recent dental work, night grinding or injured and broken teeth.
To have your dental professional assess your dental condition, you must have a proper diagnosis! Afterwards, your dentist will provide you with proper treatment options, which could include a proper oral hygiene program, cleaning the mouth after every meal using a soft tooth brush and appropriate toothpaste (containing fluoride or potassium), and brushing and flossing twice a day. Home fluoride rinse or gel can be used to desensitize and remineralize your teeth. A night guard can be custom fitted to your mouth to protect your oral structure (worn while you sleep). A proper diet (eliminating sweets and/or acidic foods and beverages) will help prevent sensitivity. Your dental professional can work with you to harmonize and balance your bite so all teeth receive proper loading force as well – a proper fit and selection of dental restorations will assure integrity of pulpal health.And there is possibility for root canal therapy or Gum treatments if the problems are more advanced.
It’s time to start taking care of yourself – get the proper treatment for your tooth sensitivity and be worry free!
When I examine a patient’s mouth, I often inform them “You have been grinding your teeth at night! If you’re grinding at night as well, please take a vacation – doctor’s orders!” We laugh, then get serious about what was just said. Common responses from patients include:
“How do you know that I grind my teeth?”
“Why do I grind my teeth?”
“I sleep with my mouth open; I do not grind my teeth!”
“Yes, I know, but I do not want to wear a night guard!”
Let’s have a discussion.
Teeth grinding is a multifactorial phenomenon, it can originate from bite problems, posture problems, stress, diet or even certain oral medications. You may experience one or multiple symptoms of night grinding, including sensitive teeth, receding gums, teeth chipping, teeth movement, flat teeth, broken teeth, damaged dental restorations (such as fillings), and even headaches and a sore jaw .
Usually, during the day, there is space between your upper and lower teeth – the teeth are not in contact, they come in contact only when they are being used to chew food. Eating food exerts approximately 5 – 10 pounds per square inch of loading force. This is normal and will not create wear and tear issues in the tooth structure. At night however, during sleep, facial muscle contractions (like the Masseter muscle) generate a much greater force, anywhere from 300 to 500 or even up to 1000 pounds per square inch of force! This is very powerful, and very destructive.
So how do we fix the problem? Management of night grinding can be approached from several angles. By wearing a night guard, immediate protection is provided when sleeping. The design of the night guard can be as simple as a thin coat of silicon rubber material which is custom-molded to fit over your teeth, or can be highly specialized to help realign your jaw when made from acrylic. Ask your dentist about this.
Grinding your teeth at night (bruxism) occurs during the REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycle of sleep, for light sleepers. If restful sleep can be induced, the REM cycle of sleep can be reduced, contributing to a more peaceful night for your mind and also your body (including your facial muscular system). This means less grinding!
Achieving restful sleep can be tricky, there are many techniques: meditation to clear your mind in preperation for a restful night of sleep, deep and slow breathing, and cutting out sugar and caffeine in the PM hours will all be helpful.
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which send messages through nerves (the chemosensors) to the brain, where the signals are interpreted. Taste cells are known as gustatory cells, and are mainly concentrated on the tongue, with periphery gustatory cells on mouth walls and in the throat. Additionally, the common chemical sense consists of thousands of nerve endings surrounding these gustatory cells which help describe to your brain the complexities of certain flavors.
