Allergies, Sinus Pain and Tooth Pain

 

If we seem obsessed with seasonal allergies, it is because everyone is suffering this year more than usual. Everyone is continually surprised by the odd pains they experience as side effects of their "hay fever," like pains in their molars. Let's start at the beginning.

The human body tries to eliminate those pesky allergens with mucus. Yes, the mucus really wants to be your friend, an ally in this battle; but if the mucus doesn't flow out, when you try to blow it out, it hangs around in your sinuses creating congestion and causing pressure and pain. We have many sinus cavities in our skulls, but the ones on either side of your nose (aka the maxillary sinuses) need to drain upward, an action not so easily accomplished if we are upright, which we are for most of the day. These sinuses sit on your upper jaw, and when congested they can put pressure on the surrounding areas causing pain in your upper teeth, cheeks, and right below the eyes. If your sinuses become inflamed or infected, the pain could be even more extreme. Not only do those allergens make your eyes and nose run, they can indirectly create tooth pain.

If you are experiencing dental pain and are prone to allergies accompanied by nasal congestion and sinus infections, then you can probably assume that sinus pressure is causing the pain in your teeth. If you're not so sure, give our office a call.

Dental X-rays In the News: again!

  

Last week the conversation for many of us turned to dental radiographs (x-rays) thanks to the news media and medical research. Yale School of Public Health completed a study of over 1500 people and correlated their “remembered” exposure to x-rays with development of meningioma. first reaction to this is to rebuke the study, so I went to get the details. The first thing to consider is that the exposure to dental radiographs and frequency was based on the patient’s memory, even of their childhood years, not on hard data where they scoured through old dental records. The next challenge is that the average age of the patients they included was 58. Our current technology for dental x-rays is far different; more sensitive film speeds or digital along with better equipment have dramatically reduced the exposure.  Current dental radiographs expose the patient to 2-3 mrads for four bitewings and 10-20 mrads for a full set. The problem is that all of this information makes those of us who work in the dental profession feel better about radiographs, but what about our patients?

As a team in our office we do two things that are very important regarding dental x-rays. First, we follow all of the guidelines to maximize your safety using new, low radiation digital technology. Our equipment is checked and maintained and we will always use proper shielding. Second, we recommend using the ADA guidelines as a standard, but in an individual way based on what we know about dental health and the risk for cavities or gum disease. We are proud of both of these things and happy to share them with anyone.

So how often “should” we take x-rays? The word “should” implies there is a right and a wrong answer. We like to think of it as a “could”. We could set up a standard of annual bitewings and a full set every three years. The problem is that it may be too often for some patients and not often enough for others. The other challenge is deciding which films to take. Our patients with bone loss from periodontal disease are better diagnosed with vertical bitewings, but we may need a full-series of x-rays for the removal of wisdom teeth. Instead of defending a protocol, we diagnose the need for x-rays one patient at a time, with them, based on their individual needs.

Why Your Teeth Are Important

Teeth are important because:

• They help you chew your food – without teeth we would have to drink liquids and miss out on some wonderful, nutritious and delicious foods.
• They help form words – If you lose a tooth you will notice you talk differently then you did before. Imagine what it would be like if you lost all your teeth at once. It would be hard to talk so other people could understand.
• They help make you look happy – Clean and well taken care of teeth show other people that you care about yourself. Clean teeth will also make you feel good about yourself and others will see that in your healthy white smile.

When you take care of your teeth by brushing, flossing every day and regular dental visits at our office, your teeth will remain strong and healthy. It is important to start good habits now so when your older taking care of your teeth will be easy. When you get older and grow in your adult teeth they will be the only teeth you have for the rest of your life so you better start good habits and take care of them now!

Bleeding Gums Are Not Normal

 

Fallacies exist about bleeding gums. They usually come about because people want to ignore the problem. Many people simply do not want to believe bleeding gums are not normal. They think if they forget about it, it will go away. This is not the case. The problems indicated by bleeding gums will not disappear. More importantly, the cause or causes of bleeding gums will continue to exist.

What Causes Bleeding Gums?

There are several possible causes for bleeding gums. You could suffer from a medical problem such as hemophilia. You could have diabetes or Van Willebrand’s disease. There is also the possibility that your medication can be the cause. If you are on blood thinners, for example, your gums may bleed. Oral cancer, hormonal changes and vitamin deficiencies can also result in bleeding gums.

Yet, the major cause of bleeding gums is the growth of bacteria in the mouth. If you do not take proper care of your gums, bacteria will increase. If it does, the following will occur:

• Bacteria will continue to grow
• As they increase in numbers, they release toxins into your gum tissue
• Your gums become sensitive. They are swollen and may begin to bleed when brushing occurs
• Bacteria also begin to form a whitish-grey sticky substance on your teeth. This is plaque
• Plaque grows on your teeth. As it does so, further toxins enter your tissue and create pockets in your gums. This begins to separate the placement of your teeth
• It becomes difficult to eat hard foods such as fruit without noticing the changes in your teeth
• Tartar takes the place of some plaque
• Overtime, you develop constant bad breath
• Bacteria continue to release toxins, the gap between your teeth and gums widen, becoming visible.
• As the gaps becomes larger, your teeth begin to loosen
• When the gum disease enters its serious stages, you may lose teeth as they fall out

Bleeding gums is part of a process called gum disease. In the beginning, your gums may bleed only when brushing. Later, they may bleed when you eat. Touching your gums may hurt and cause bleeding to occur.  The more sensitive your gums become, the more advanced the disease is. You will progress over time from the early stages of gum disease – gingivitis, to the later stages – periodontitis. Periodontitis has no cure. There is no remedy, only a treatment. This may include the replacement of your teeth.

If you are suffering from bleeding gums, you may have gingivitis. Your dentist can help you treat it. You, yourself, can create a plan to make bleeding gums a thing of the past. The plan is a thorough and proper dental oral hygiene program and continous maintenance.

Ending The Abnormality Of Bleeding Gums

Once you recognize bleeding gums to be abnormal, you are on your way to getting rid of them and gum disease. After you consider what causes your gums to bleed, you can treat it immediately. It all starts, easily enough with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Simply brush your teeth everyday with recommended toothpaste, such as all-natural botanical product. Combine this with daily flossing using the correct width of floss. Add to it a daily rinse or gargle with non-alcohol-based mouthwash or plain salt water.

The final ingredient to this gum disease free program involves your dentist. Be sure to see Dr. Steppler once a year for a dental check-up, followed with visits twice annually to our dental hygienist. This is for your teeth cleaning. We will make sure all plaque is gone and your mouth is healthy. Follow our regular hygiene program schedule, and you should say farewell forever to bleeding gums.

Conclusion

Bleeding gums are not normal. They are a symptom of a more serious problem. Once the cause is identified, we can treat it. Treatment usually involves the daily execution of a proper dental oral hygiene program. If you stick with this program, you can keep bleeding gums from being a “normal” part of your life.