We all get them – bothersome little mouth sores, like inflamed taste buds or gross-looking lip irritations. But, how do you know what’s a serious condition and what is just a common malady? Consider consulting a dentist if a mouth sore doesn’t heal within two weeks. Mouth sores offer an easy avenue for germs and viruses to get into the body, so it’s very easy for infections and other ailments to develop.

People who consume alcohol, smoke, are chemotherapy patients, or have weakened immune systems should also have regular oral screenings from a dentist. The first sign of oral cancer is a mouth sore that doesn’t heal. Other symptoms of oral cancer include: sores on the floor of the mouth, lumps or masses that can be felt inside the mouth or neck, pain or difficulty swallowing, speaking or chewing, hoarseness in the voice or numbness in the oral or facial region.

The following is a brief listing of fast facts on common mouth sores.

Affliction: COLD SORE (Also known as Fever Blister)
Looks Like: Fluid-filled blisters on outside of lips. Crusty after rupture.
Painful: Yes. Pain may begin before sore appears.
Culprit: Viral Oral Herpes
Contagious: Yes, through kiss or sharing of utensils, cup, etc.
Healing: 7 to 10 days. Can use OTC creams and ointments.

Affliction: CANKER SORE
Looks Like: Open ulcer on inside of mouth, usually white or yellow surrounded by red.
Painful: Yes. Usually starts as burning or tingling sensation.
Culprit: Unknown, but can be hereditary. Most often found in women. Sometimes triggered by infection, stress, vitamin deficiencies or acidic foods.
Contagious: No
Healing: 5 to 10 days. Can use numbing creams.

Affliction: THRUSH
Looks Like: Thick white patches in mouth (caused by fungus) and on the tongue.
Painful: No, but will cause some discomfort for babies. It can be if irritated by actions like trying to scrape it off.
Culprit: Found in young and old, usually those with immature or weakened immune systems. People can also get it from taking certain medications, such as antibiotics.
Contagious: No
Healing: Can last for a few weeks to months, depending on severity. Anti-fungal medications can help.

Affliction: LEUKOPLAKIA
Looks Like: Thick white patches in mouth and on the tongue.
Painful: No
Culprit: Irritants, such as cigarettes or badly fitting dentures.
Contagious: No
Healing: Indefinite. Can be precancerous, so if it’s persistent, see a dentist.

Affliction: BLACK HAIRY TONGUE
Looks Like: Taste buds that have grown long and look dark.
Painful: No
Culprit: Poor oral hygiene, smoking, drinking lots of coffee or tea.
Contagious: No
Healing: Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper is usually all you need to treat it, though sometimes medication is necessary.

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Dr. Phillip Katz is an advanced trained General Dentist in Pickerington, Ohio. He studied dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has amassed hundreds of hours of advanced training in the areas of dental implants, veneers, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. He provides dental services to patients in Pickerington, Columbus, and surrounding Ohio communities.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user wwarby

Did you know that drinking bottled water may be doing your body more harm than good? In particular, to your teeth. More specifically, to your children’s teeth. It’s not what bottled water contains that makes it not so healthy, it’s what it doesn’t – fluoride.

That’s right. Stick with tap water, especially for your kids. For more than 60 years, the U.S. has been involved in a public health program called community water fluoridation. Most communities throughout the nation add fluoride to their water supply, which has resulted in a significant decrease in childhood cavities.

Fluoride works by strengthening tooth enamel. Adults don’t have to worry about this so much, but for kids it’s a must. And though many parents turn to bottled water thinking they’re being health conscious, kids really shouldn’t be drinking it at all.

Sure, there are a few bottled water companies on the market that add fluoride, but it’s not enough, and your brain would be water-logged by the time you drink enough for your teeth to benefit. Check the label or contact the company directly if you have questions.

Home water-filtration systems swipe the fluoride out of water as well, so the next time you think about using one or purchasing another bottle, think about your kids’ teeth. And remember, though some people are squeamish about drinking from the tap thinking it contains all kinds of nasty little things, this attitude is really unwarranted. You can check with our local water authority, public health department, of the EPA’s website to put your mind at ease.

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Dr. Phillip Katz is an advanced trained General Dentist in Pickerington, Ohio. He studied dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has amassed hundreds of hours of advanced training in the areas of dental implants, veneers, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. He provides dental services to patients in Pickerington, Columbus, and surrounding Ohio communities.

Photo courtesy of Flickr user thirteenofclubs

Who wants to smear with messy dental creams that most of the time aren’t 100% effective anyway at keeping dentures in place.

If you’ve been putting off getting rid of dentures in place of more permanent options, now might be the best time to rethink it because of the latest findings on the toxicity of dental creams.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently on this issue, laying out how zinc, although an essential nutrient, can cause neurological disorders when overexposed to it.

Some of the symptoms reported include: numbness and weakness in the arms and legs; urinary tract and bladder infections; mental cognitive decline; and blood disorders. And it hasn’t just been long-term users who have experienced these effects.

From a health perspective, and because of the cumbersome nature of caring and maintaining dentures, we may see them becoming obsolete one day, replaced by alternative options, such as implants.

As your dentist, I’d like to remind you that I’m here for any questions you may have and your dental cream. As well, I’m happy to discuss with you different — permanent — options that will allow you to throw those dentures out the window.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

ABC News Report: Did Doctor Delay Denture Cream Research? http://goo.gl/batVE

You can read more from the Wall Street Journal report by visiting http://goo.gl/BynT8

Read the FDA notice sent to denture adhesive manufacturers http://goo.gl/lUKqB

Here is a copy of the Neurology Reference that was used in the study http://goo.gl/MArpC

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Dr. Phillip Katz is an advanced trained General Dentist in Pickerington, Ohio. He studied dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has amassed hundreds of hours of advanced training in the areas of dental implants, veneers, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. He provides dental services to patients in Pickerington, Columbus, and surrounding Ohio communities.

Photo courtesy of Flikr user timmccune

Get rid of that nasty breath (halitosis) by checking out the underlying factors that cause it, determine what bad habits you have that might be contributing and take quick action to change them.

For some, solving it can be a matter of sticking to a regular oral hygiene regimen; sometimes just cutting out some of the crappy food you gobble down will get you improvements; but after taking these steps and your bad breath is still knocking people out, it’s best to see a dentist because the culprit may be an underlying health condition.

More than 90 percent of all cases of chronic bad breath originate in the mouth, not in the stomach, like many people think. Virtually all bad breath cases are caused by nasty bacteria that hide out and multiply under the gums, in the spaces between teeth and on the tongue.

Excellent oral hygiene, first and foremost, is the first way to nip the problem. Are you brushing your teeth for at least 2 minutes twice a day? Don’t forget to brush that tongue as well because rank bacteria thrive there. Careful not to gag yourself!

Next, flossing is a must to remove the stinky, rotting chunks of food stuck between your teeth. Mouthwash is only a temporary fix, but if you use one look for an antiseptic and plaque-reducing one with approval from the American Dental Association (ADA).

Not only do you have to maintain a regular dental routine, you’re really going to have to watch your diet. Don’t think you’re going to be able to drink coffee all morning, eat garbage for lunch and not offend someone that afternoon. Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onion, can contribute to bad breath because of the pungent oils they contain, which cling to areas in the mouth. Coffee creates funk because the acid in it decreases oxygenation in the mouth, which in turn, increases bacteria production. Alcohol will make breath smelly too because it dries out the mouth, decreasing saliva production, which serves as a lubricant to cleanse and remove food particles. And of course, smoking those Marlboros will give you horrific breath. That’s a no-brainer.

If you’ve taken all these steps and that awful odor still lingers, maybe it’s time to consider whether a health issue is at play. Talk to your dentist. A whole slew of factors may be contributing: gum disease, conditions associated with respiratory infections, diabetes, gastrointestinal, liver and kidney disorders, among tons of others. Even certain medications will contribute because many of them dry out the mouth, so saliva production is compromised.

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Dr. Phillip Katz is an advanced trained General Dentist in Pickerington, Ohio. He studied dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has amassed hundreds of hours of advanced training in the areas of dental implants, veneers, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. He provides dental services to patients in Pickerington, Columbus, and surrounding Ohio communities.

Photo courtesy of Flikr user waltstoneburner

Do you have a dirty mouth? Chances are, you might and don’t even know it. Those close to you sure do, though. Why take chances? Here are a few steps you can take to test your breath for yourself.

LICK YOUR WRIST – That’s right! Though this is the least reliable since you lick with the tip of your tongue. The areas that harbor the foul bad-breath smell are more toward the back of the mouth. Lick the inside of your wrist, wait for it to dry and then smell.

SPOON IT OUT – This is the best method. Take the tip of a spoon and scrape some sediment off the very back of your tongue. Be careful not to gag yourself! Wait for it to dry, then take a whiff.

FLOSS AWAY – When you floss, try to smell the string. Better yet, floss the bad stuff away, and then try a second floss. If there’s a nasty smell still lingering, you know you have more work to do.

TRUSTED ADVISORS – You could, when all else fails, or if you don’t have a spoon handy, ask a close friend, or a child. They certainly know how to be honest.

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Dr. Phillip Katz is an advanced trained General Dentist in Pickerington, Ohio. He studied dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and has amassed hundreds of hours of advanced training in the areas of dental implants, veneers, sedation dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry. He provides dental services to patients in Pickerington, Columbus, and surrounding Ohio communities.