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Best Way to Communicate with Your Dentist dallas fortworth texas champion dental clinic

When Your Doctor Won’t Listen – What Should You Do?

Posted on March 29, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Best Way to Communicate with Your Dentist

Doctor’s visits can often leave you confused and frustrated. Sometimes you may feel like the visit was rushed and you did not get a chance to tell the doctor everything you wanted to say or ask about. You felt like the doctor or dentist was in a hurry and did not have time to talk.

The Communication Gap

Studies have revealed that there is often a big communication gap between doctors or dentists and their patients. As many as 75 percent of doctors asked about it felt that they believed they had good communication with their patients. Patients, however, felt completely different about it, with only 21 percent feeling that they had good communication with their doctor.

Good communication is crucial to getting the treatment you need, feeling better, and getting better health. In order for this to happen, your doctor needs to know what your complaints are. They cannot treat it if they do not know it is a problem. This makes good communication mandatory, but you will need to express yourself more clearly to the doctor.

Determine Why Communication Is a Problem

You need to ask yourself what is the reason behind the communication problem. Is it because you forgot to ask the doctor about the problem? Is it because the doctor is not giving you a chance to talk about your problems? Is it because the doctor is so focused on one health problem that there is not time to talk about other issues?

Write Down the Topics to Discuss

If you have more than one concern, it is important to write down a list of topics. This way you are less likely to forget them when you need to talk about them. Write down the various things you want to discuss in advance. This will help you think about all of them.

If you are having particular symptoms that you wonder about, be sure to write them down. Write down when they started, and if you can, write down what you were doing when those symptoms started. Also be sure to record the frequency and severity of the symptoms, and how long they lasted. If there is a pattern or an activity that triggers the symptoms, this will help the doctor to determine the problem better.

Cover the Most Important Problems First

When you talk to the doctor, be sure to mention the most pressing problem first. This way, if you are not able to discuss anything else, the biggest problem will get covered. Think about how you need to say it in a very concise but accurate way.

Bring a List of Medications

Carry a list of the medications you are taking, as well as any natural supplements. You also should have a list of various illnesses or allergies that you have or have had – such as diabetes, or a heart attack. It is also a good idea to include a list of your family’s history of illnesses.

Use a Spokesperson

If you have trouble speaking clearly for yourself, bring someone else with you who understand the problem. This can be especially valuable for older people, or for someone who has is getting dementia.

Listen to the Doctor

While you certainly want the doctor to hear your problems, it is just as important that you hear and understand what the doctor is telling you. If you do not understand terms, be sure to ask for an explanation. Or, if you feel you will not remember the details, ask the doctor if you can record the conversation.

Understand the Results You Should Expect

Although the doctor may prescribe some medication or recommend treatment or therapy, some of them take time to make an impact on the symptoms involved. Ask the doctor how long it will take to get recovered, and what you need to do to prevent a relapse. Are other treatments going to be necessary or ongoing?

Find Out about Lifestyle Habits

Many times patient recovery and a better quality of life can be gained by changing some lifestyle habits and continuing to practice them. Ask the doctor for a recommendation of habits that you may be able to change or add to your daily routine.

The bottom line is that your doctor or dentist may feel that he or she is communicating well with you. Since you do not believe that to be the case, it really is up to you to let the doctor know about the gap in communication skills that you feel exist. If there is no response in the direction you feel should be made – find another one who will listen and that you can trust more.

Although the dentist can see some of the problems your gums and teeth may have, good communication is necessary for good oral health. Champion Dental clinic understands the importance of communication between dentist and patients. We seek to develop effective communication with each visit. If you need quality dental care with a dentist who listens patiently to your needs, you can contact our office today at 214-747-0763

Gum Disease and Your Genes - Champion dental clinic dfw tx

Gum Disease and Your Genes – How to Minimize Your Risk?

Posted on March 28, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Your Genes May Cause Gum Disease

Researchers have known for some time that there is often a connection between gum disease and your genes. The genes are not present in every case, but the presence of genes for gum disease does increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis. Genetic gum disease can also mean that periodontitis takes on a more aggressive form.

Genetically Inherited Diseases

Researchers have known for about a century that periodontitis seems to travel in families. While other people who have no family history of the gum disease do get it, there does seem to be a genetic basis for it in more than 50 percent of the cases.

It is also known that just because someone has the genes for it that it does not mean that they will get periodontitis. Although many factors are known to increase the likelihood of it, it appears that there are other factors that remain unknown. Even though it may be in your family, it also does not mean that you have the gene – but knowing whether you do or not may bring some relief.

It seems that while some genes cause some people to get the disease, there are also some genes that help to prevent it – even when they have the gene for it. This means that much more research still needs to be performed. So far, it is believed that there are more than 40 different genes involved.

Why DNA Genetic Testing Is Recommended

Periodontitis is very common among adults over 30. In fact, about half of the adults in the United States have the more serious form of gum disease. This is equal to about 64.7 million people. This gum disease is the primary cause of tooth loss today.

Periodontitis comes in two forms: chronic periodontitis, and aggressive. The chronic form spreads slowly but can be faster at times. With the aggressive form, it usually starts before the age of 30 and spreads fast. The individual with it will usually lose some of their teeth, or all of them, rather quickly.

Knowing that an individual has a strong likelihood of developing a particular disease because of genetic testing enables them to be especially watchful for its symptoms. It will also enable dentists to design a custom treatment for it.

Having the genes for periodontitis raises the likelihood of getting the disease by a factor of 20. Both early onset periodontitis and the aggressive forms are genetically based and DNA testing and customized medicines may be the cure.

Genetic Screening May Also Help Save a Life

Over the past few years, researchers have concluded that the same bacteria that cause gum disease and inflammation is also behind the development of many diseases. These diseases are very serious and include cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.

This makes it even more important for an individual who may be genetically predisposed toward periodontitis to be sure to watch for it and stop its development as soon as possible. Gum disease starts slowly and most people do not realize that it is already affecting their body’s main organs.

Gum disease starts out with a milder form called gingivitis. At this early stage about the only symptoms that will be noticeable are bleeding of the gums and red or swollen gums. In most cases, all that is needed to remove it is to brush your teeth twice daily and floss.

Those who have the genes for it, however, may not be able to prevent or remove it so easily. Even in the early stages, it can be more difficult to treat. Getting genetic testing early can enable a dentist to be ready to treat the patient with a customized plan, enabling the problem to be removed sooner without unnecessary delay.

The Symptoms of Periodontitis

As gingivitis progresses, it slowly becomes periodontitis. As it does, you will notice some or all of the following symptoms of periodontitis:

Receding gums
Pus forming at the gum line
Gums that have pulled away from your teeth – forming pockets
Spaces developing between teeth
Persistent bad breath
Teeth that are becoming loose

Key Risk Factors

In addition to the possibility of a genetic reason, there are also several other risk factors that can promote periodontitis. They include:

Not exercising good oral health – this is the primary reason
Smoking or using tobacco of any kind – this is another powerful cause.
Heavy drinking of alcohol
Diabetes
Medications
Pregnancy

If you suspect that you might have genetic gum disease, you can get DNA testing for it at our Champion dental office, Farmers Branch – Texas For more information about our services, or to set up an appointment, you can call us at 214-747-0763

5 dental symptoms not to ignore farmers branch champion dental clinic best dentist dallas fortworth texas

Which 5 Dental Symptoms You Should Never Ignore?

Posted on March 28, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

It could cost you more than you think

When you have dental symptoms that are not normal, it indicates that there is a potential problem. The problem may not be something to get concerned about, but, on the other hand, it could indicate a major threat to your health. It is not unusual for sores and other problems to occur in the mouth, but some indicate the need to see a dentist soon.

Oral Cancer

Every year, oral cancer continues to rise. This year, more than 51,000 people will be diagnosed with it. This cancer typically spreads fast, making the need for early detection very important.

Oral cancer is often without any pain in the early stages. This makes it hard for someone to know that they have it unless they are watching for symptoms, but a dentist can better detect them. The symptoms may also occur in the throat and may be very difficult to see.

Oral cancer symptoms may include red or white patches in the mouth or lumps in the neck or throat area. Other sores may also become cancerous. Any sore that has not healed within two weeks should be seen by a dentist. A dentist is trained to recognize cancer and other diseases, and can also take initial biopsies.

Pain in a Tooth

When you have strong pain in a tooth, it is time to see a dentist. Most likely, you already have made an appointment because the pain is almost unbearable and you want relief. If the tooth really hurts, you may also have inflamed gums and pus at the gum line. This could be an abscessed tooth.

An abscessed tooth is a serious problem. The inflammation can easily spread, especially if it is in your upper jaw, into your face and even your brain. If this happens, it could be fatal. Most likely, it will mean that a root canal is needed.

Loose Teeth

If one or more of your teeth have become loose lately, you need to see a dentist quickly. This is a symptom of advanced periodontitis, but other things can cause it as well. Gum disease is often nearly painless until it reaches the advanced stages, and you will most likely experience pain when you try to bite down on those loose teeth.

Bleeding gums are another symptom of gum disease. You will also likely have inflamed gums and pus along the gum line. Your gums will also have started receding, and you will likely have chronic bad breath.

Periodontitis is caused by an immune reaction to bacteria invading your gums. The immune reaction becomes an autoimmune reaction and it starts attacking your gums, the ligaments that support your teeth, and your jawbone.

Once your teeth become loose, it is certainly time to visit your dentist. Special gum disease treatment is needed to remove the bacteria. The longer you wait, the greater the damage. In order to remove the bacteria and inflammation, the dentist will need to give you antibiotics and may need to perform a non-surgical procedure called scaling and root planing – which removes the bacteria from the pockets that have formed on your gums.

Surgical procedures may also be needed to replace missing gum tissue. In order to replace missing teeth, bone and gum grafts may be necessary.

Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth may not seem much like one of the dental problems you should watch for, but it really is. This problem can be serious if you are concerned about keeping your teeth looking good.

Your saliva helps keep the bacteria and acid in your mouth under control. Whenever some of the bacteria come in contact with sugar, it produces acid. The acid is what causes cavities. Without enough saliva, there is more bacteria and acid in your mouth, which leads to developing sensitive teeth and cavities sooner. It will also help to promote gum disease.

Staying hydrated will help you produce more saliva, and so will chewing sugarless gum. Stay away from drinks that are considered diuretics, which include coffee, tea, alcohol, and more. Since some medications can also cause it, you may need to talk to your doctor about changing medicines.

Tooth Sensitivity

When a tooth becomes sensitive, it is because the enamel has become thin. Because of the thin enamel, the food particles, spices, and hot or cold temperatures can penetrate it and get to the nerve inside the tooth. This causes pain.

The pain is an indication that a cavity is on the way. It already needs to be repaired. In some cases, tooth sensitivity may result from some dental treatments, but it will usually go away after a few days.

If you have any of the above dental symptoms, you can get dental treatment for all of them from Champion Dental Clinic, Farmers Branch, TX. We regularly treats dental problems ranging from oral cancer to periodontitis – and much more.

What Are the Ways to Cut Your Oral Cancer Risk?

Posted on March 21, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Simple Steps Can Reduce Your Risk of Mouth Cancer

Most of the cases of oral cancer can be prevented. Once you get oral cancer, it is often only discovered once it has already reached the advanced stages. This makes it all the more worthwhile to try and prevent it from occurring in the first place. The prevention of oral cancer is especially important if you already have a number of risk factors.

The Statistics

The Oral Cancer Foundation states that almost 50,000 new cases of oral cancer will be discovered this year. In five years, only about half that many will still be alive. This is a higher death rate than for other types of cancer. This type of cancer was also usually only found in people who were 40 or older, but now more young people are developing it.

The way that oral cancers are most frequently discovered is through a doctor or dentist feeling the lymph nodes in the neck and discovering that they are swollen. This means that cancer has already metastasized and is spreading.

The Causes of Oral Cancer

The primary cause of many types of cancer, including oral cancer, is tobacco. This includes smoking and smokeless varieties. E-cig devices are also included, not for the tobacco, but because of the nicotine, which is a tobacco product.

Smokeless tobacco is often sold as being healthier than cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. This may be true in the case of lung cancer, but the rise in mouth cancer cases, and other types of cancer, and periodontal disease, still declares plainly that it is not safe. There is also a possibility that it is linked to heart disease.

Another cause of mouth cancer that is occurring more frequently is HPV. This STD in the mouth and throat is picked up by engaging in oral sex. Although HPV is not the actual cause, it does help to trigger the process that develops the mouth cancer.

Oral Cancer Symptoms

It is possible that some of the oral cancer symptoms may be perceived to be something else. Some of them may even seem unrelated, but the things you want to look for include:

Tongue pain
A sore throat
Difficulty chewing or swallowing
Pain the jaw or stiffness
A sore that bleeds or does not heal
Loose teeth or dentures that no longer fit right.

Mouth Cancer Prevention

Your risk of getting oral cancer can be reduced, although not totally eliminated. There is no absolute guarantee, but you can minimize it. You can work toward the prevention of oral cancer by doing several things:

Quit smoking – This is the greatest risk. Those who smoke are most likely to get many types of cancer, including head and neck cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, and more. It also promotes periodontal disease. One in five deaths in the U.S. is caused by smoking.
Reduce the alcohol – Alcohol is classified as a carcinogen. When drinking heavily, it is related to several types of cancer. Moderate drinking will reduce the risk, which is considered to be two drinks average per day for men, and one drink a day average for women.
Eat healthy – Eating more fruits and vegetables, and fiber, along with less red meat, will strengthen your immune system to be able to help fight against cancer.
Lose weight – Being overweight, or obese, helps promote cancer. Establish a regular exercise program, with at least 150 minutes per week, and you can reduce this risk factor.
Spend less time in the sun – The sun’s rays can lead to lip cancer if they are exposed to them for long periods. Wear a hat, and reduce your time in the sun.
Genetics – Some families have a gene that may make them more prone to developing oral cancer. While you cannot change the gene, you can be more watchful to try and catch it early.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) – There are many forms of HPV, but one form in particular – HPV16 – is known to lead to the development of cancer. Your risk of an HPV caused oral cancer can be reduced by obtaining an HPV vaccination, and by limiting having oral sex with one person who is not having sex with other people.

When to See a Dentist

Regular dental checkups can often lead to the discovery of oral cancer. The thing to look for is when one or more of the mouth cancer symptoms last more than two weeks. If you see these symptoms, make an appointment with your dentist for an oral cancer screening. During the checkup, the dentist will look for other possible causes. If a problem is discovered, a biopsy may need to be taken.

In addition to working on your own program for the prevention of oral cancer, you can get oral cancer screening from Champion Dental clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas by calling our office today at (214) 747-0763.

Bad breath (Halitosis) – Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Posted on March 13, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Could Your Bad Breath Reveal a More Serious Problem?

There are many situations where the last thing you want to have is bad breath. You sure do not want it when you are out on a date, going on a job interview, or when meeting new people. When you want fresh breath but are unable to get it, you need bad breath treatment.

If you meet someone who has bad breath, also called halitosis, you know that it can be difficult to get or stay close to them. They may be close friends or even lovers, but bad breath is hard to put up with. Most likely, you try to quickly think of some bad breath remedies like brushing your teeth, a mouthwash, a mint, or candy – something to improve the situation. Unfortunately, some people have chronic halitosis.

Bad breath causes and different types of it

There are several reasons for bad breath. Some of these are just common sense, but other ones may be surprising. Most likely, you already know that eating foods such as onions and garlic are usually going to give you bad breath after eating it. Other foods may include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and radishes. Of course, in that case, you can usually just brush your teeth or pop a mint in your mouth to take care of it.

Smoking is also notorious for causing bad breath. This habit will increase the amount of chemicals in your digestive tract that will produce odors.

Dry mouth is another cause of bad breath. Saliva is necessary to wash away the bacteria in your mouth that produces halitosis. As you sleep, the bacterium builds up in your mouth naturally and gives you “morning breath.” As the bacteria feed on the food particles in your mouth, it produces sulfur compounds. This is what gives you morning breath each morning. When you do not have enough saliva, the same thing is occurring in your mouth during the day. Medications, and some medical diseases or complications such as diabetes, can cause the lack of saliva.

Cavities can also produce bad breath. The decay of your teeth could be enough to cause the problem.

Gum disease is a major cause of halitosis today. It is also a major reason why someone may have chronic bad breath. Gum disease of any kind is caused by the same bacteria. As it multiplies, it produces acid. The acid causes inflammation of the gums, tooth decay, and can lead to periodontitis, which is a serious gum disease that can lead to losing your teeth. It will also help to destroy the jawbone under your teeth. Saliva helps to wash away the acid from your teeth, and it also helps to control the bacteria producing it.

Low carbohydrate diets are another cause of halitosis. The result of this type of diet is the production of ketones, which gives the dieter “ketone breath.” Diabetics can also develop this problem if their sugar levels are not controlled.

Dentures, braces, and a lack of keeping the teeth clean can cause bad breath. When food particles get caught in dental appliances, including aligners, the bacteria multiplies and produces the offensive breath.

A lack of regular care of your teeth may also be responsible. It is estimated that about 25 percent of people have bad breath. Most of the time, halitosis is due to a lack of proper care of their teeth.

How to diagnose halitosis

When you have halitosis, you really do not need a diagnosis. Chances are very good that you are already aware of bad breath symptoms from the nasty taste in your mouth and the reaction of your friends when you talk with them up close. When people start offering you mints is another clue.

It may be time to see a dentist about your bad breath when you are not able to get rid of it. Once you are sure that you use the normal means of how to get rid of bad breath and they do not work, it is time to make a dental visit.

How to treat bad breath

In most cases, bad breath has some rather simple solutions. They include:

Brushing and flossing – Brush your teeth and your tongue twice a day – for at least two minutes each time, and floss every night. This will also help you to get rid of early gum disease if you have it.
Use a minty mouthwash – A good antibacterial mouthwash will help to control the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Watch what you eat – Avoid sugary foods and foods that you know produce bad breath – especially when you will be around other people.
Ensure healthy amounts of saliva – If you have a problem with this, you can chew gum with xylitol in it. This sugar will not harm your teeth, and it will help you produce more saliva. If medication is the cause, talk to your doctor about changing it.
See a dentist – Keeping regular dental appointments will let the dentist ensure that you do not have cavities or gum disease. If there are problems, they can be treated in a timely manner.

If you live in the Farmers Branch , TX area, you can be treated for chronic bad breath by our expert dental team in Champion Dental Clinic We also provide many other dental services including cosmetic dentistry. For more information about a bad breath cure, or to set up an appointment, you can call us today at 214-747-0763

Are You a Candidate for oral Cancer dfw tx

How Likely Are You to Get Mouth (Oral) Cancer?

Posted on March 9, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Are You a Candidate for Cancer?

Oral cancer, also called mouth cancer, affects many people every year – about 51,000 of them. Once discovered, it can be hard to treat. One thing that stands out about this type of cancer is that it is the most preventable form. While certain people do have a higher risk of mouth cancer than others, knowing the risks can greatly reduce the likelihood of getting this form of cancer.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor does not at all mean that someone will get mouth cancer. It simply means that the individual has a greater likelihood of developing the disease.

Many of the causes of mouth cancer are options and part of the lifestyle that people choose to engage in. Two of the biggest risks are smoking and heavy drinking of alcohol. People who do both are 100 times more likely to get oral cancer than those who do not engage in either one. About 80 percent of people who get this cancer use tobacco in some form.

Another major risk factor of this type of cancer is being out in direct sunlight for too many hours. Besides being in the outdoors, getting exposed to UV radiation at a tanning salon only increases the likelihood of developing a lip cancer.

Genetics is also a cause for mouth cancer and throat cancer. People who have two specific genetic conditions: Fanconi anemia (a blood condition) and Dyskeratosis congenita have a very high risk of getting cancer in the oral cavity.

Another factor is the human papillomavirus (HPV). This virus is the same one that causes cervical cancer in women. It can spread to the mouth through oral sex. While most of the time it does not cause a problem, a specific type of HPV (HPV16) is connected with cells growing out of control and causing cancer in the mouth and throat. This particular type of cancer has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. About 20 to 30 percent of cases of oral cancer are connected to HPV.

Being a man is another risk factor. Men are twice as likely to get oral cancer as women. Women seem to have some degree of immunity to oral cancers – especially to HPV throat cancer.

Other risk factors include a weakened immune system and poor nutrition. A disease called lichen planus is also a risk factor, and so is age; most people who get an oral cancer are over 55.

Signs and Symptoms of Mouth Cancer

Some forms of mouth cancer have very few symptoms in the early stages. Sometimes an oral cancer is not noticed until it has already spread – usually to the lymph nodes. Symptoms that may be noticed include:

Pain when swallowing
A sore throat
A feeling that something is stuck in your throat
A painful tongue
Mouth ulcers that do not heal
Patches of red or white on your tongue
Teeth that have become loose without an obvious reason
Dentures that no longer fit right
A hoarse voice
A lump or thickening of the lining in your mouth.

Some oral cancers really do not cause symptoms until they have already spread. Currently, there is not any test that can be given to screen for it. They are often discovered when going for a routine dental checkup, when you have symptoms that need looking into, or when you see changes in your mouth.

Diagnosis for Oral Cancers

Once a dentist detects what may be considered to be oral cancer, further examination is necessary. There are several tests that may be involved, which will likely start out with a blue dye called toluidine blue, or a laser, or possibly with a brush biopsy. Other tests may include an actual biopsy and scans.

There are several types of scans that may be used, depending on how far cancer has spread. If treatment with radiation or chemotherapy is to be used, other tests may be utilized to determine your general health beforehand.

Oral Cancer Prognosis

Several types of mouth cancer treatment will be given if and when cancer is discovered. After diagnosis, a treatment plan will be made. It will likely include one or more of the following: surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and then it will be succeeded by reconstructive surgery to rebuild your mouth and teeth.

Oral cancer is staged to determine how far it has spread. When a diagnosis of a stage 1 cancer is discovered, there is an 83 percent chance of living beyond five years.

Preventing Oral Cancer

Since oral cancers are often preventable, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. The steps include quitting tobacco completely – or greatly reducing it, eliminating drinking alcohol, staying out of the sun or using sunscreen to protect your lips, and avoiding junk food and processed meats.

If you live in the Farmers branch TX areas, and you believe you may have mouth cancer symptoms, you can get an oral examination from Champion Dental clinic. For more information, or to set up an appointment, you can call our office today at (214) 747-0763

serious oral blisters affecting teeth dfw tx

Those Oral Blisters May Indicate Something Serious

Posted on March 9, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

What causes blisters in the mouth?

Oral blisters can come in several forms and types. Some of them are more serious than others. The appearance of blisters in the oral cavity often causes people to start asking what causes blisters in the mouth. Generally, it should not raise an alarm, even though there may be pain with it unless there are also some other symptoms with it.

Causes of Blisters

There are many possible causes as to why blisters may form on your tongue. One of the main reasons is that you bit into some food or drink that was too hot. Other causes include:

Mouth ulcers (canker sores).
Allergies.
A yeast infection (oral thrush).
Smoking excessively.
Stopped smoking – this can also sometimes result in mouth blisters.
Irritation that enlarges tongue papillae (taste buds) – often the result of a bite or from food too hot to eat. Sometimes referred to as “lie bumps,” and are often caused by stress. A similar condition called eruptive lingual papillitis occurs in children and is usually contagious. It can take up to two weeks to be settled.
Medical conditions – leukoplakia, stomatitis, cancer, Crohn’s Disease, and Celiac Disease.
Food triggers – most common foods include cheese, coffee, wheat flour, tomatoes, peanuts, strawberries, and chocolate.
Vitamin deficiency – deficiencies of vitamin B-12 and iron can produce blister inside mouth.
Medications – various medications may cause oral blisters, including NSAIDs and Beta-blockers. If so, talk to your doctor about a different prescription.

Lie Bumps

These small bumps on your tongue may be red or white bumps, often looking like blisters. Lie bumps are usually small and appear quickly and will usually disappear in several days. They may be painful. Some people feel a burning sensation, or a tingling or itching.

Blood Blisters

The appearance of blood blisters in the mouth often has no cause. They can appear suddenly and many times there is no serious cause behind it. It can be caused by things such as stress, an allergy, dentures that do not fit right, braces, accidental biting of the lip, or scalding of the lip or cheek. Another condition may be angina bullosa hemorrhagica, which is generally harmless but it causes blood blisters to form in the mouth spontaneously.

Blood blister in mouth may also be caused by more serious health problems. These include:

Oral cancer
Low platelet count
Diabetes
Deficiencies of vitamins
Renal failure
Oral herpes
Alcohol abuse.

There are some situations where the appearance of blood blisters means you need to see a dentist. They include the following:

When blood blisters do not heal
When they become very large
When they frequently reoccur
When they are caused by poor-fitting braces or dentures.

Pemphigus Vulgaris

There are two Pemphigus disorders: pemphigus vulgaris and pempigus foliaceus. These two disorders are rare but are considered to be autoimmune diseases. The pemphigus vulgaris form starts out forming blisters in the mouth. From there it will cause sores and blisters on your mucous membranes and skin, particularly in the mouth and genital areas. There is no cure, but it can be managed. Early treatment is better.

Other Possible Causes

In addition to the previous causes, blisters on tongue, or blisters in mouth in general, may also be caused by other conditions. These include:

A sore throat
Various gastrointestinal diseases
Menstruation.

Some causes of blisters in mouth are contagious. When the blisters break open and the virus is released into your mouth, the following diseases can be spread to other people:

Chickenpox
Herpes (cold sores)
HIV/AIDS
Infectious mononucleosis
Syphilis
Hand, foot, and mouth disease

Each of these health conditions requires additional medical treatment. Seeing a doctor is necessary since some of these conditions are potentially fatal.

Mouth Ulcers

Mouth ulcers, otherwise known as canker sores, are not really blisters, but they are small and may be mistaken for one. These sores have similar causes as the blisters, especially vitamin deficiency. They are not contagious but can be very painful, especially when eating spicy or acidic foods. They are normally about the size of a pencil but can grow up to an inch in diameter. Most canker sores will disappear within two weeks, but a larger one may take up to six weeks. More than one sore may appear at the same time.

There is no cure, but treatment can help. Any mouth ulcer that lasts more than three weeks should be seen by a dentist because it could be a more serious problem. A canker sore could indicate the beginning of oral cancer.

Mouth Blister Treatment

Mouth blisters need to be seen by a dentist if they do not heal within 10 days, especially when there are multiple other symptoms present simultaneously. With some diseases, the first indication of it is blisters, and sometimes it is the only one, which may be the only indication of a much more serious condition.

If suffering with blisters and looking for diagnosis or treatment , you can schedule a quick appointment at Champion Dental clinic, Farmers Branch, Texas – contact 214-747-0763

What Are Some Home Remedies for Dry Mouth?

Posted on March 7, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

How to Help Get Rid of Dry Mouth Symptoms

Dry mouth can be an ongoing problem for those who have it. It is also called xerostomia. In addition to just being a nuisance and causing bad breath, it can also make it harder to do ordinary things like eat, speak, and even digest food. One of the greatest problems, though, is the effect that it can have on your teeth.

Why Dry Mouth Is a Problem

Some bacteria in your mouth turn sugar into acid. The acid attacks the enamel on your teeth, which leads to pitting and thinning of the enamel. This will soon lead to a cavity. The same bacteria also cause gum disease – including periodontitis. Saliva helps keep bad bacteria under control. The longer you have problems with dry mouth, the more damage you will have to your teeth and gums.

Acidic foods and drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices, as well as coffee and tea, help to add acids to your mouth. This acid will also help to erode the enamel on your teeth and gums. Saliva, when there is sufficient amounts, helps to wash the acid away from your teeth.

Causes of Dry Mouth

There are several causes of dry mouth. They may include:

Medications – Many medications (over 400 of them) are capable of producing a dry mouth. In general, they include medications for high blood pressure, diuretics, NSAIDs, steroids, antihistamines, antidepressants, and more.
Medical Diseases – Several diseases often result in the dry mouth syndrome, including diabetes, anemia, deficiencies in nutrition, autoimmune disorders, Parkinson’s, depression, some cancers and cancer treatments, and more.

A few other situations may also lead to a dry mouth. This can include stress, pregnancy, breastfeeding, hormonal changes, and trauma to the head. Sleep apnea, along with using a CPAP machine, is another reason for dry mouth.

Natural Remedies for Dry Mouth

When your mouth is not producing enough saliva to eliminate your dry mouth symptoms, there are some dry mouth remedies that you can use to help. They include:

Reduce your intake of caffeine – it is a diuretic and helps your body eliminate urine – making your mouth drier.
Sip water regularly – make sure you are drinking water throughout the day. Keep it with you. Also, keep a glass of water at your bedside for when you wake out of sleep with dry mouth and lips.
Chew sugar-free gum – chewing sugar-free gum will help your mouth produce more saliva. Look for gum with xylitol, a sugar substitute that does not encourage the production of more acid.
Avoid drinks with a lot of sugar – this includes sodas, as well as juice drinks and other drinks, such as coffee with a lot of creamer, etc. The sugar spurs the production of more acid.
Stop using tobacco of any kind – tobacco reduces your production of saliva, and also reduces your immune system in your gums.
Breathe through your nose – breathing through your mouth will dry out your mouth further, making it even worse. If you cannot breathe through your nose due to allergies, see a doctor for relief.
Get a humidifier – if you notice that your dry mouth problems are worse at night, adding a humidifier to your bedroom can help add moisture into the air.
Change medications – many medications, as mentioned above, can cause dry mouth. If your symptoms started after starting a new medication, or if you believe a medication is causing it, talk to your doctor about a different prescription.
Cut back on alcohol consumption – alcohol will help dry out your mouth and body faster than most anything. Eliminate it completely for best results. Watch out for mouthwashes with alcohol in them – some mouthwashes contain some alcohol in them. Alcohol will only make a dry mouth worse.

Xerostomia Treatment

While you have dry mouth, it is even more important to maintain good dental health. Start by making sure that you follow a daily routine of brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes each time, and by flossing before you go to bed.

Get Regular Dental Checkups

Effective dry mouth treatment makes it necessary that you keep an eye on the condition of your teeth. A dentist can do this best and help provide you with proper dental care as needed. When problems with your teeth or gums develop, they can be treated before they become serious – and costly. For best results, you should visit your dentist at least twice a year.

If you live in the Farmers Branch, TX area, you can get dental checkups and affordable great care for dry mouth from Champion Dental clinic

What Are Bacterial Tests To Test Your Risk of Gum Disease?

Posted on February 28, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Can Gum Disease Be Prevented with a Test?

Like any disease, being able to know exactly what it is will enable medical professionals to effectively overcome the problem. When guesswork is involved, it is likely to take longer to defeat the disease – and it may not work at all if the treatment is wrong. Bacterial tests are important when it comes to understanding your risk of getting gum disease.

Periodontal Disease

When it comes to gum disease, there are two types: gingivitis and periodontal disease. Gingivitis is the milder of the two. This type can usually be eradicated simply by regular brushing twice a day and flossing each night. The early symptoms of gingivitis include red or inflamed gums and bleeding gums.

If the early stages of gum disease are ignored, the gum disease progresses and becomes periodontitis. As it gets worse, the bacteria that causes the periodontitis gets under the gums and forms pockets. From there, it multiplies faster and produces acid, which deteriorate the gums, the structures that keep your teeth in place, and your jaw bone. Your teeth will become loose, and may even fall out. Periodontal disease continues to be the number one cause of Americans losing their teeth.

Periodontal Bacteria

In the average person’s mouth, there are more than 700 different types of bacteria. Out of this number, 11 of them can cause periodontitis. While some of these are milder, four of them can cause an aggressive form of periodontitis. This means it can advance faster than other forms, and it also means that it is going to be harder to control.

Having the periodontal bacteria in your mouth does not necessarily mean that you will develop periodontitis. If you have a good regimen of oral care for your teeth and gums you may be able to avoid it.

Bacterial Tests

A dentist can provide a bacterial test that will identify which of the various periodontal bacteria is present in your mouth. This will enable the correct treatment – an antibiotic – to be given. It is a test using your saliva to detect the various types of bacteria that may cause periodontitis.

If a dentist uses the wrong antibiotics on bacteria, it can enable it to become a super bacteria – one that does not respond to normal antibiotics. A bacteria test can provide the dentist with the knowledge of the exact antibiotic to add to the mixture.

This enables the treatment to be able to deal directly with the cause, rather than with the symptoms or risk factors. As an example, smoking is a serious risk factor to getting periodontal disease, and so is diabetes, but neither one can actually cause gum disease. A bacteria test gives dentists a powerful advantage in treating, and even preventing gum disease.

Periodontal Disease and Your Overall Health

A powerful reason to get a bacteria test if you have periodontitis is to be able to put an end to the problem as fast as possible. Studies now reveal that the same bacteria involved in periodontitis are also behind the formation of many major health problems, including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

The same bacteria can begin to cause these problems after it gets into your gums. From there, it gets into your bloodstream and then can go anywhere in your body.

Typical periodontal treatment is usually only initiated after you already have the symptoms of the disease. This means that some damage has already been done and it is going to be costly to repair it. The usual treatment is planing and scraping, and the use of antibiotics – unless it has already reached an advanced stage.

Bacteria Test for Prevention

Testing someone for periodontal bacteria that does not yet have any symptoms of periodontal disease can benefit someone who may have these bacteria. Testing for the bacteria can enable dentists to eliminate it before it becomes a problem. Or, it may alert the individual to be sure to have regular dental checkups to watch out for its development.

A bacterial DNA test enables dentists to be able to correctly identify any bacteria that are behind your periodontitis. The test uses paper points that are inserted under the gums for just a few seconds. This is all the time that is needed to collect a bacteria sample. Once obtained, the samples are sent to a lab that can identify the bacteria involved. This test eliminates the guesswork and lets the dentist treat the exact problem.

Periodontal Disease Treatment

When periodontal disease treatment is desired or needed, a bacteria test can help reduce the treatment time. Even though treatments may have had limited success in the past, this method can speed up the process. For people who have a family history of periodontitis, getting a bacteria test may help prevent it.

If you want to have bacteria tests to test your risk of periodontal disease, or if you want to be tested because treatments so far have had limited success, you can call Champion dental at 214 747-0763

How Oral Sex Can Cause Cancer

Posted on January 27, 2023 | by mel | Leave a Comment

Can You Really Get Mouth Cancer from Oral Sex?

Cancers today are still very common. Research indicates that one of the oral cancer causes is having oral sex. Although there are other possible causes, such as smoking and drinking, there is strong evidence that getting HPV in the mouth can lead to some people getting throat cancer.

The Cause

The truth is that oral sex is not believed to be the actual cause of oral cancer – at least not directly. According to Medical News Today, what actually happens is that the HPV virus causes changes in the cells that it infects.

The changes affect the genetic material in the cells so that it produces more infected cells. Over time, the infected cells may become cancerous – but not necessarily. Most people who have the infection are not apt to get oral cancer. The body will often remove the HPV infection in about 90 percent of the cases, and it will do it within two years.

The Risk Factors

Several risk factors will increase your chances of getting throat or neck cancer from oral sex. The primary factor is having oral sex with multiple partners. Having six oral sex partners raises your risk by more than three times. The more partners you have, the more likely it is that you will get a throat or neck cancer.

Men are more likely to develop an HPV-related throat cancer than women. This may be because women have a natural immunological response to it while men do not have.

HPV and Oral Cancer

In an article by the New York Post, oral cancer is on the rise, largely because incidents of HPV are increasing. In tests of men with cancer of the mouth, those who had oral sex with more than 10 women had a rate of 14.4 percent of getting HPV. Of the people who had oral cancer, 70 percent of them also had HPV.

Signs of Oral Cancer

Catching throat cancer early is important – just like for any other cancer. The sooner it is detected, the sooner treatment can be initiated – and the less time it has a chance to spread.

There are several throat cancer symptoms in men. When you have cancer of the throat you may have: difficulty swallowing, a frequent cough, a sore throat, pain in your ear, changes in your voice, a sore or lump that will not heal, and possible weight loss.

Oral HPV Symptoms

When you get HPV, which is an STD, usually from vaginal, oral, or anal sex, it can remain inactive for weeks to years. Some people, the Oral Cancer Foundation says, never have any visible symptoms. Many more people have it than are aware of it.

Testing positive for HPV does not at all indicate that one partner is having a sexual relationship on the side. HPV can remain dormant for decades. It is quite possible that the other partner has it but never knew it. The CDC reveals that as many as 80 percent of people in the United States will get it at some time during their life. Currently, it is believed that about 79 million people have HPV now.

Reducing the Risk

The risk of developing oral cancer can be reduced by taking some precautions, which means reducing your risk of getting HPV. The first one is to have just one sex partner for a lifetime or limit yourself to one partner who only has sex with you. Another way to cut down the risk is to use condoms carefully, but they do not totally eliminate the risk. A third measure is to get an HPV vaccine.

Another way to reduce your risk is to stop smoking, which can also cause oral cancers. Drink alcohol only in moderation or not at all. Eating more fruits and vegetables may also reduce your risk, because of the many antioxidants in them.

Tests for HPV have not yet been developed that are accurate, and the percentage of people who will be actually harmed by it is rather small. Because of the lower rates of incidence of this type of cancer, money for research to detect HPV is limited, and it may be some time before there are any better tests available.

Discovering It Early

In most cases, the first one to detect the symptoms of oral cancer is usually the dentist. A dentist is trained to be able to recognize symptoms of oral cancer, and may even notice it before you do. This is clearly one advantage of going to a dentist for regular checkups.

During the exam, the dentist will feel your neck and throat for lumps. Throat cancers are often first discovered as lumps in the throat – in swollen lymph nodes. This type of cancer is often not diagnosed until it is already advanced. It is also the fastest growing cancer in men who are between 25 and 55. It usually responds well to surgery and radiation.

If you want to be checked for mouth and throat cancer, you can visit the Champion dental office at Farmers Branch, Texas.

Category: Oral Exams