What Is Oral Thrush?
Oral thrush, also known as candidiasis, can occur in anyone of any age, from babies to the elderly. Oral thrush is a condition that occurs when a fungus called candida albicans builds up on the lining of the mouth. The result is white lesions on the tongue or inner cheeks.
Oral thrush can sometimes be confused with leukoplakia. But leukoplakia lesions are caused by chronic irritation from rough edges on teeth, fillings or crowns, not by an organism. And leukoplakia lesions develop over time, while thrush lesions may develop suddenly. A thrush infection can spread and involve the roof of the mouth and the gums, where it can cause symptoms such as redness and irritation. See your dentist if you have any type of lesions on your tongue or in your mouth so you can determine the cause of the problem and plan a course of treatment. The goal in treating thrush is to stop the infection from spreading.
Healthy babies and children may not need treatment-the lesions may resolve on their own. Sometimes adding yogurt to you or your childÃs diet may do the trick and reset the bacterial imbalance caused by the excess amount of the thrush fungus.
People with HIV or other immunosuppressive illness are at increased risk for the infection to spread. If you are in this category, your doctor or dentist may recommend an antifungal medication.
To prevent thrush from occurring or recurring, follow a consistent oral health care routine, and try to include yogurt with live, active cultures in your diet, especially if you take antibiotics for a chronic condition. Frequent use of antibiotics can promote the growth of the Candida fungus because they upset the natural mixture of microorganisms in the body.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Craig J. Baker, DMD, PL
13501 Icot Boulevard, Suite 101
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 531-4462
TBSmiles.com
An Easy Preventive Treatment Against Cavities
Even meticulous brushing may miss hard-to-reach areas of the back teeth. When bacteria linger and exposure to acids occurs, plaque will form. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it is not removable with ordinary brushing. Decay will set in and the tooth will need a filling or a crown for extensive damage. One application of a dental sealant will greatly reduce the risk of cavities forming.
This is the quick and easy procedure: Teeth are first cleaned and sterilized. A thin coating of the sealant is applied to the surface of each tooth. It is clear or white in color and does not change the tooth’s appearance. A curing light bonds the coating to the enamel. And the whole procedure is complete with just these few steps. There are no shots, tooth reduction, or drilling, and it is pain free.
We recommend this treatment to help children and adolescents maintain their natural teeth throughout their lives.
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Craig J. Baker, DMD, PL
13501 Icot Boulevard, Suite 101
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 531-4462
TBSmiles.com
Learn more about why gums recede.
Recognizing and Treating Oral Thrush
Oral thrush, also known oral candidiasis, is a condition that occurs when a fungus called Candida albicans builds up on the lining of your mouth.
Anyone can develop oral thrush, but babies, young children, older adults, or anyone with a compromised immune system due to an illness such as HIV are more susceptible. Conversely, candidiasis lesions can be an early sign of an HIV infection.
The main symptom of oral thrush is creamy white lesions in the mouth, usually on the tongue or inner cheeks. In some cases, the lesions may appear on the roof of the mouth or on the back of the throat.
Interestingly, oral thrush is not caused by poor oral hygiene. Thrush is caused when the naturally occurring fungi in the body get out of balance, which is why the very old, very young, and people with weak immune systems are at higher risk. Good oral hygiene, however, is an essential part of treating oral thrush. Healthy adults and children can recover fairly easily from the infection, especially if they follow a complete oral care routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily proper flossing.
To read the entire article please visit: OralB.com
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Craig J. Baker, DMD, PL
13501 Icot Boulevard, Suite 101
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 531-4462
TBSmiles.com
Learn more about the treatment for abscessed teeth.
Symptoms And Treatment Of Tooth Abscess
If you have a toothache that goes beyond mild to moderate tooth pain and reaches a level of severe, throbbing pain, it could be a sign of a tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is a pus-filled lesion at the roots of a tooth, and is caused by an infection. The first sign is a throbbing toothache that won’t go away.
At first, the tooth will likely be sensitive to chewing and biting, as well as to heat and cold. You also may develop a fever, swollen lymph nodes in your jaw or neck, or swelling on your face.
If the abscess ruptures, you’ll know because of the nasty-tasting discharge in your mouth. Although the pain may recede if the abscess ruptures, you still need to be treated by a dentist in order to get rid of the infection, save the tooth and avoid complications. If the abscess doesn’t rupture, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. This is not a problem to ignore.
Treatment will likely include draining the abscess if it hasn’t ruptured. Your dentist also may recommend that you take over-the-counter pain relievers, rinse your mouth with warm salt water, and take antibiotics. More severe abscesses may require a root canal to remove infected tissue, and the worst cases require extraction of the tooth.
A tooth abscess can get its start as an untreated tooth cavity, so the best way to prevent an abscess is to prevent the cavity in the first place by following a consistent oral health routine of twice daily tooth brushing and daily flossing. Regular visits to your dentist are important too, especially if you’ve been treated for an abscess. This allows your dentist to confirm that the infection has cleared.
The above article is from: OralB.com
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Craig J. Baker, DMD, PL
13501 Icot Boulevard, Suite 101
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 531-4462
TBSmiles.com
The Number One Reason for Missing Teeth
The most common assumption is that tooth loss is due to decay. But most teeth are lost due to gum disease. It can progress without any symptoms right up to an advanced stage, when you could lose your teeth. Signs of this kind of infection are bleeding gums from flossing or brushing and loose teeth. If it is treated at an early stage, surgery can be avoided and instead, nonsurgical methods would be the treatment.
Gum Disease Linked to Serious Health Conditions
It is a startling statistic that 8 out of 10 American adults have periodontal (gum) disease. The American Dental Association has identified this problem as reaching epidemic proportions. Other medical research has made a link between gum disease and stroke, diabetes, and heart and lung diseases. Dentists now recognize gum infection to be more serious than just losing your teeth – it can be a life-threatening condition!
As the bacteria from the gums circulates throughout your bloodstream, it can often have an effect on other organs or health conditions. The American Academy of Periodontology reports that “studies found periodontal infection may contribute to the development of heart disease, increase the risk of premature, underweight births, and pose a serious threat to people whose health is already compromised due to diabetes and respiratory diseases.”
At the First Warning Signs
It is important not to wait to come into our office at the first signs of bleeding gums or loose teeth. Periodontal problems can be treated nonsurgically and more easily when they are just beginning. Once they are advanced, surgery will be necessary. Both types of treatments are covered by most dental insurance companies.
What’s the Problem with a Missing Tooth?
Even one missing tooth can cause other problems that you should avoid. Not having a full set of upper and lower teeth can cause other teeth to start to shift. It also affects chewing and obtaining nutrition from your food. Your face will eventually take on a sunken look without the support of a full set of teeth. Speech may not be as clear as it should be. And you may gain weight, if you start to eat softer, higher-calorie foods. Dental implants provide the best solution, and they can replace one or many missing teeth. They look natural, function just like the real deal, and no one will ever know they are not your teeth.
An Easy Way to Defeat Gum Disease
Periodontal (gum) disease is the main reason for tooth loss. Dr. Baker uses ARESTIN™ to combat the infection and successfully return your gums to a healthy state. It is an antibiotic in a powder form and contains invisible microspheres that time-release the medication directly to the infection. It does its job by killing the bacteria in the pockets between gums and teeth. And the best part is, there is no pain in the process.
What is Wellness Dentistry?
Everyone is familiar with going to the doctor when you get sick. But what about going to a doctor when you are not ill, so you won’t become sick?
Taking measures to prevent illness from occurring is wellness care. We always go a step further in our practice in order to avoid dental problems later on. We do the basics like repairing teeth and examining gums for their health. But we go beyond that with a very thorough examination. We observe your bite, check for oral cancer and gum disease, and look for signs of wear and anything else that looks out of the ordinary. We are pro-active for your benefit of healthy gums and teeth and so you will spend less time in the dental chair.
Baker Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
Craig J. Baker, DMD, PL
13501 Icot Boulevard, Suite 101
Clearwater, FL 33760
(727) 531-4462
TBSmiles.com
