Watergate Dental Associates ~ Cosmetic Dentistry - Blog

watergatedental.com

Watergate Dental - DC Dentists

Do I Have a Cold Sore or a Canker Sore?

It is very hard to figure out whether one has a cold sore or a canker sore, since these labels are often used interchangeably. However, there are enough significant differences between the two that a more precise definition of each is warranted. To start off, a cold sore, or a fever blister, has viral origins and therefore is highly contagious, whereas the canker sore, or an aphthous ulcer, is diet and stress-related, and therefore is not contagious. Secondly, a canker sore occurs inside your mouth, on moveable soft tissues of the gums and cheeks, the soft palate, or after one accidentally bites their tongue. A cold sore occurs around the mouth, most frequently on the lips or the corners of the mouth. If a cold sore appears inside the mouth, it can usually be found on the non-movable tissues, such as the roof of the mouth. Both types of sores may take between 10 to 14 days to heal. Therefore, knowing which one of these two is the cause of all the pain and discomfort is the first step to knowing how to treat the problem. Cold cores are usually very painful, and they tend to recur. They are caused by the herpes simplex, type-1 virus (HSV-1) which lives inside the nerve tissues. Most people are infected with the HSV-1 virus in early childhood from an infected family member or a friend, from an exchange of a kiss, a shared glass or utensil, or other saliva-borne contact. Not all infections lead to an outbreak of the symptoms right away. Sometimes, the virus stays dormant until a trigger sets off an episode. A cold sore outbreak progresses through several stages and the affected individual is highly infectious during the entire course. A primary infection (the first episode in an individual) can be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as a sore throat, high fever, swollen neck glands, and finally, the eruption of the painful mouth sores.   The Stages of a Cold Sore:   Day 1: The Prodromal (pre-outbreak) Stage: before the actual sore forms, a person may experience a tingling, itchy, burning sensation beneath the skin of the affected area. If these symptoms are recognized and an anti-viral medication is applied immediately to this area during this stage, then the actual outbreak of the cold sore symptoms can be minimized, or alleviated. Days 2 -3: The Blister Stage: the emergence of fluid-filled blisters is the first visible appearance of the cold sore. Day 4: The Ulcer or Weeping Stage: this is the most painful and most contagious period, when the ruptured blisters ooze, and leave a reddish open sore. Days 5 -8: Crusting Stage: after the first few days, the blisters dry up and form a crust which falls off eventually. It is very important not to pick off these crusts, or to allow the neighboring areas to crack open, because this can lead to another round of painful new blistering, extending the total length of the cycle. Days 9 -14: Healing Stage: The scabs that have formed gradually flake off as the tissue heals beneath them. There is usually no scarring of the affected areas from the cold sores.   Cold Sore Outbreak Triggers:   There may be long periods between these viral outbreaks. However, there are several factors which may trigger these episodes. An immunodeficiency, or a weakened immune system caused by an illness, a cold or a flu, menstruation or pregnancy, trauma, such as dental treatment, physical stress or fatigue, strong or prolonged sunlight exposure, or tanning salon ultraviolet lamps can all trigger an outbreak of cold sores.   How to Treat a Cold Sore:   Most outbreaks are mild, and only need topical relief. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) ointments that contain benzyl alcohol as a numbing agent, and other moisturizers to keep the lips moist and prevent further cracking of the lips. These are mostly effective to minimize the discomfort. Antivirals need to be prescribed by your dentist or physician, and are applied topically. They are most effective if applied at the onset of symptoms, when they can reduce the severity or length of the episodes.   How to Minimize Recurrences:   If you are prone to cold sore outbreaks, it is important to consider life-style modifications that may reduce the frequency of these unpleasant outbreaks. Among the most elusive recommendations is to reduce the stresses in one’s life as much as possible. Applying sunscreen to the face and lips and wearing a rimmed hat before outdoor activities in the sunshine will reduce the triggering effect of the sun. In the home, replace your toothbrush often, and especially after an episode, is essential. Avoid kissing, sharing drinks, utensils, or physical contact with others, especially if you see visible signs of sores on the person.   One important consideration for those prone to cold sores is their diet: foods rich in the amino acid lysine, such as red meats, fish and dairy products are recommended. Dietary supplements containing lysine can be substituted. Avoid chocolates (unfortunately), but you can substitute a wide assortment of nuts and raisins in your daily diet.   How to Treat Canker Sores:   The same dietetic considerations have to be made if canker sores recur frequently. The main goal of canker sore treatment is pain and discomfort relief through the application of moisturizing ointments containing numbing ingredients. Most of these can be selected from the wide range of OTC medications available on the market.   For help in properly diagnosing a particular outbreak, please call our office at Watergate Dental Associates and schedule a thorough examination with one of our doctors.

Posted on 11/02/2009 14:58:00

Pregnancy and Your Oral Health: It's Not Just Your Problem!

If you are pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, there are a host of health issues that you must contend with. Along with maintaining good physical health to ensure proper development of the fetus, your oral health needs extra-special attention. The hormonal changes during pregnancy have a direct effect on your body’s reaction to the presence of dental plaque in your mouth. Estrogen and progesterone have been found to cause an increased level of bleeding of the gums during pregnancy and breast feeding, if gingivitis is present. Numerous research studies have positively linked the inflammatory effects of gingivitis to low birth-weight babies and to pre-term deliveries. It is thought that the oral bacteria that enter the blood circulation increase the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like chemicals suspected of inducing premature labor during a pregnancy.  To prevent gingivitis, it is essential to adhere to meticulous daily oral hygiene care, such as thorough brushing and daily flossing, even if you observe slightly more bleeding than usual. It is important to remember that the bleeding will diminish as the gum tissues regain a healthy environment, where the inflammatory processes are diminished, or eliminated. A healthy diet also helps keep the oral cavity in good health balance, especially if it is rich in vitamin C and B-12 containing foods.   Plan to visit your dentist early on during your pregnancy, and a second time before the 9th month if possible. During your pregnancy, routine, non-emergency dental procedures should be postponed. However, dental emergencies should be taken care of as soon as possible, since the presence of infection in your body may have adverse effects on the developing fetus. X-rays should only be taken for an emergency situation if it is deemed necessary for proper diagnosis, but should be kept to an absolute minimum. It is always helpful to consult with your OB-GYN regarding the safety of taking oral antibiotics, if necessary, or the advisability of local anesthetics, especially if the pregnancy is considered high risk. Discuss with your dentist any concerns or special conditions that may affect the course of the emergency treatment.

Posted on 10/06/2009 18:51:00

Is Bottled Water Better For You and Your Children?

  Is Bottled Water Better For You and Your Children?   Although the advertisements about the health benefits of drinking bottled water instead of tap water, their actual health benefits are hard to verify. Are children - and adults – better off with bottled water, or is filtering the tap water sufficient? The answer is not a simple Yes or No, but rather: It Depends. One of the main concerns, besides the removal of impurities and the microorganisms in bottled or filtered water, is how much fluoride is present in the average daily consumption of our drinking water.   If the bottled water that a child consumes does not contain fluoride, then it should not be the primary source of drinking water. The American Dental Association warns that such children could miss the preventive effects of optimally fluoridated municipal water, unless their diets are otherwise carefully supplemented with adequate fluoride. Although fluoridated toothpastes are an additional important source, the amount that enters the system is very difficult to monitor and regulate.   All children, especially those under the age of six, need adequate fluoride to help their teeth develop healthy and strong enamel, and to protect them against tooth decay. Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, which may cause pitting of the enamel, or the appearance of chalky, white speckling of the tooth surfaces. In some cases, streaky brown stains appear in the developing teeth of youngsters. Having adequate fluoride in the diet by itself is not a guarantee against cavities. A well-balanced, healthy and nutritious diet, low in refined sugars and starches, and high in fruits and vegetables, is a key element in maintaining proper dental health. However, proper brushing, flossing and regular visits to the dentist for oral hygiene maintenance and regular checkups are also essential. Our doctors and hygienists at Watergate Dental Associates can evaluate whether your diet and the daily dental health routines are adequately protecting your teeth and gums.   What is the recommended optimal fluoride level in our drinking water?   Although the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) stipulates that no more than 4ppm (parts per million) of fluoride should be present in the drinking water, the optimal range is 0.7 – 1.2ppm, which should offer adequate level of fluoride for protection from the drinking water source. Many popular bottled water brands do not add the proper amount of fluoride to their products, unlike most urban or metropolitan public water sources. According to the International Bottled Water Association, Shenandoah Valley, Mountain Park Springs and Culligan bottled waters are fluoridated. BRITA claims that its tap water filters do not remove fluoride from the water. To be certain that your filters or your bottled water supply adequate fluoride, call the 800 number that the companies provide for consumer inquiries.  

Posted on 10/01/2009 17:49:00

The Risks of Oral Piercings

Along with tattoos, teenagers and young adults are increasingly engaging in oral piercings as their expressions of their style and their individuality or identity. What piercing parlors often fail to explain clearly are the potential dangers associated with traumatic piercings in these particular parts of the body. One of the main concerns is the possibility of infections resulting from poorly sanitized instruments and improperly cleaned tissues prior to inserting the sharp piercing tools. The transmission of hepatitis, herpes, HIV, and other highly contagious diseases has been documented from these procedures. There is also serious potential for complications arising from improperly trained body piercers causing permanent damage to many of the nerves and glands in the lip, tongue and cheek areas. Instances of uncontrolled bleeding of the tongue or partial paralysis have been reported, as well as severe infections in the traumatized areas, leading to permanent speech and tongue function impairment. Cheek and lip piercings can lead to damage of many delicate nerves that control our ability to speak and smile. One of the common side-effects from tongue bars, rings and other decorative jewelry is the frequent chipping and cracking of teeth, as these items are played with and chewed upon. Those who already have these oral piercings should be well aware of their potential hazards, and should have frequent checkups to ensure that the piercings are not contributing to any further oral disease or other potential problems.

Posted on 09/16/2009 17:05:00

Cash for Clunker Fillings

Trade in your old clunker amalgam restorations and get a 10% instant discount on every restoration replaced (please note: this discount cannot be applied to dental work covered by insurance. All dental work must be paid for at the time of service to qualify).

Posted on 08/31/2009 15:08:00

White Wine, or Red Wine?

  We are often asked if white wine is less likely to stain the teeth than red wine. The latest studies indicate that white wine may be just slightly less likely to cause staining than red wines. Researchers at New York University College of Dentistry have found that the acidity of wines, in general, are the principal factors leading to increased levels of tooth staining, compared to plain water. The acids in both red and white wines, as well as other beverages, such as sodas which also may contain citric or phosphoric acids, lead to creating pitting and rough spots in the enamel surfaces. These micro-imperfections allow the stain molecules from foods and beverages to penetrate deeper into the tooth enamel. However, red wine contains chromogen, which is a strongly pigmented molecule, so it tends to leave a deeper discoloration. The conclusion of the researchers was that it is not necessary to totally eliminate red wines from our diet in order to keep our teeth white, but it is advisable to cut back. It is important to note that many of the flavored waters and most of the sports and energy drinks on the market contain significant levels of acids. Although we consider natural orange and grapefruit juices and other citrus fruit juices as healthy, they all contribute to the acidic erosion of tooth enamels and root surfaces.   At your next dental hygiene visit, ask whether your teeth show any signs of acidic erosion of your enamel, and seek early intervention before the problem becomes widespread. Often, a change in dietary habits along with efforts to re-mineralize the affected areas can arrest the progress of this problem.  

Posted on 07/27/2009 18:29:00

Bad breath

  Halitosis: Should You Be Concerned?   Halitosis, or bad breath, affects more than 80 million people in the United States alone. It is a very common problem that is nearly impossible to detect on oneself. It is left to concerned or affected family members, significant others, or friends to tell us if we have this problem. The personal and social impact on those who suffer from this problem is significant and often traumatic. If you think that you might be afflicted with this problem, your dentist or hygienist can help you diagnose the presence or severity of your bad breath, and find ways to control it, or eliminate it altogether.   In the mouth, the typical origins of bad breath are from the surface of the tongue and from the gums around the teeth. Poor oral hygiene, which leaves food debris around and between the teeth, causes the production and release of volatile sulfur compounds that are emitted in our breath as an unpleasant odor. Very spicy foods, foods cooked with garlic or onions, and drinks like coffee linger on a person’s breath for long periods of time. Certain diets which eliminate carbohydrates may also increase the problem of halitosis.   In many cases, bad breath may originate from different sources besides your mouth. Sometimes, systemic, or internal problems, such as acid reflux or other gastrointestinal problems, may contribute to gaseous emissions which emerge as bad breath. Many diseases, such as diabetes, liver malfunction, kidney failure, and even stress and dieting can affect your breath. Dry mouth (xerostomia) from many medications and tobacco products have an effect on the way our breath smells. Saliva is actually very helpful in washing away food debris and other deposits from the tongue, the cheeks and from around the teeth, thereby reducing the odor-producing materials in the mouth.   The remedy for halitosis starts with thorough daily oral hygiene care, including brushing of the teeth and tongue after meals, proper flossing at least once a day, watching one’s diet and reducing stress whenever possible, and chewing sugar-free gum which contains xylitol. Eating fresh fruits after a meal helps cleanse the mouth, as well.   Regular visits for dental cleanings and checkups will keep the gums and teeth healthy, and will give you the opportunity to discuss other options with your dentist.

Posted on 07/22/2009 21:21:00

Welcome to Watergate Dental

Welcome to our newest addition to our website, the Watergate Dental blog! This blog will be used to keep you updated with the current trends and hot topics in dentistry that we are asked about in our everyday practice. We will inform you of any major events or promotions so that you are always up to date on what is going on in the office. In the future, we also plan to cover wide ranging topics that are relevant to your dental health care needs and well being. We hope this blog will become interactive and greatly appreciate any feedback or suggestions. Feel free to contact us via email with any ideas, thoughts, or concerns. Enjoy the blog!

Posted on 05/15/2009 20:57:00