Ouch! That Hurts! Caring for Sensitive Teeth

Ouch! That Hurts! Caring for Sensitive Teeth

Does drinking a cold soft drink or eating hot soup make your child wince? If so, he or she may be one of the more than 40 million Americans with sensitive teeth.

Tooth sensitivity develops when a tooth loses its protective layers. The part of the tooth above the gum line is protected by a layer of enamel, the hardest substance in the body. A softer layer of a material extends below the gum line and protects the tooth roots. Under this lies a layer of dentin. All these protective layers shield the tooth pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When the enamel and dentin are worn away or a tooth root is exposed, hot, cold or acidic foods—even breathing in cold air—can stimulate nerve cells in the pulp and cause a short, sharp pain.

What can you do to stop this pain? First, take your child to see Dr. Jared if the sensitivity lasts more than a few days. Worn fillings or crowns, cracked teeth, a developing abscess, tooth grinding at night, receding gums or gingivitis—sore, swollen, or inflamed gums—can cause tooth sensitivity. These problems need to be treated.

If your child’s mouth gets a clean bill of health, we may recommend some or all of the following:

• Choose the right toothpaste. Some people develop sensitivity to tartar-control or whitening toothpastes. Ask your dentist whether an American Dental Association–approved fluoridated desensitizing toothpaste might be right for your child.
• Brush correctly. Have your child brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush. If the bristles on the brush are bent, your child is brushing too hard.
• Choose the correct mouthwash. Acidic mouthwashes can worsen tooth sensitivity. Ask your dentist to recommend a neutral fluoridated mouthwash for your child.
• Become more aware of what your child eats. Acidic drinks such as juice and colas can wear away protective enamel.
• We can apply a fluoride gel, fluoride varnish or dentin sealer to protect the tooth’s roots.

Do not let tooth sensitivity ruin your child’s enjoyment of food. Talk to us about ways to protect your child’s teeth.

Schedule an appointment today at KiDDS Dental! Give us a call at (509)-891-7070 or click here.

Orofacial Crohn Disease in Children

Orofacial Crohn Disease in Children

Say Crohn disease and most people think of gastrointestinal issues, not oral problems. But orofacial Crohn disease is a specific disorder, associated with Crohn disease of the bowel, frequently found in children. It may occur simultaneously with bowel symptoms, or it may precede them, usually by a few months.

The connection between the two is unclear. Experts think the inflammation from “traditional” Crohn disease may be a possible factor. Other possible causes include immunity problems, infections and nutritional deficiencies.

Signs of orofacial Crohn disease include swollen or bleeding gums, mouth sores, lip swelling, and ulcers in the fold between the cheek and gum. Facial skin may be affected by ulcers, nodules or persistent swelling. Topical anti-inflammatory agents and an antibacterial mouth rinse can often ease the discomfort of mouth and gum soreness.

Sometimes the signs of orofacial Crohn disease are not troublesome, so children and parents may be unaware of them. However, in many cases, symptoms can cause pain when affected areas are touched, discomfort when eating spicy or acidic food, and difficulty eating, speaking or swallowing. Children may also become self-conscious if their facial appearance has been affected.

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with KiDDS Dental for an evaluation. Ultimately, we may take a biopsy to determine whether bowel disease is present, and we may prescribe steroids for the inflammation. Fortunately, the symptoms of orofacial Crohn disease generally resolve once the bowel disease has been treated.

Always make sure your child’s diet is rich in nutrients. Crohn disease can prevent the digestive tract from absorbing enough vitamins from food to maintain nutritional balance. Dr. Jared may suggest consulting a dietician to help plan your child’s meals for maximum nutrition. Limit greasy or fried foods, and be sure your child drinks enough water to stay hydrated.

If your child complains of soreness in the mouth, bring him or her in to see us. We can discuss options to relieve your child’s symptoms and minimize flare-ups of orofacial Crohn disease.

If you have further questions regarding the affects of Crohns Disease on oral health, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.

Oral Piercing and Your Teen’s Dental Health

Oral Piercing and Your Teen’s Dental Health

Speaking with a forked tongue was once just an expression, implying that the speaker was not truthful. Today, forked tongues—tongues surgically split in two—are a reality, just one of the numerous forms of oral “body art” currently popular among teens and young adults. Your teen may want a mouth piercing, but be aware that inserting rings and other jewelry into the tongue, lip or cheek can pose serious health risks and cause permanent dental damage.

In fact, one seven-year study reported in Pediatric Dentistry in 2012 found that 25,000 people—nearly three-quarters of them 14 to 22 years of age—visited American emergency rooms for injuries involving oral piercings. The most common complaint was infection, usually the result of touching the jewelry with unsanitary hands or contact with food and drink. In 1997 the British Dental Journal reported on a severe case of infection for which antibiotic therapy failed; the 25-year-old patient required surgery to remove the barbell-shaped jewelry and decompress the swelling in the floor of her mouth. And in 2008 a healthy 19-year-old woman who had had a recent tongue piercing contracted herpes simplex virus that progressed to hepatitis and subsequent death.

Because the location of a piercing is usually selected for its visual effect, rather than oral safety, the piercing process itself can be hazardous, posing the risk of permanent nerve damage that can affect the sense of taste or a swelling of the tongue that blocks the airway and inhibits breathing. Other complaints—particularly in the post-piercing healing period—include pain, swelling, excessive bleeding and an allergic reaction to the jewelry.

Oral piercings have been linked to gum recession, bone loss and drooling due to increased salivary flow. If jewelry becomes embedded in oral tissue, surgery may be required to 

remove it. And piercings can interfere with dental care by obscuring x-rays.

The healing period after piercing requires meticulous attention to hygiene. Your teen should floss daily and brush the teeth, tongue and jewelry after every meal, using a new, soft toothbrush stored away from other toothbrushes to prevent contamination. And your teen must learn to eat carefully in order to avoid biting down on jewelry and damaging teeth, restorations and fillings. Opening the mouth too wide can cause some piercings to catch on the teeth.

If your teen wants an oral piercing, Dr. Jared and his clinical team can provide an individualized assessment of the risks and devise a care plan to maintain oral health. Regular visits to KiDDS Dental will ensure supervision of the piercing and timely repair of any damage before it worsens. If your teen experiences an adverse reaction that does not respond to treatment, we may suggest permanent removal of the piercing and a rehabilitation plan to restore oral health.

Call us to schedule an appointment today!  509-891-7070.