October 18th, 2010
Of all the conditions that affect the oral cavity, oral cancer is by far and away the most serious. This form of the disease that affects the mouth, including the lips, tongue, throat and cheek lining is extremely serious and is fatal if not diagnosed and treated in time.
Oral cancer manifests itself as small red, white or blotchy patches on the soft tissue areas of the mouth. These small patches are sore and will be very painful, especially when affected by extremes of temperature when eating. They are not too dissimilar to mouth ulcers but unlike these, they will not disappear naturally after several days to a week or so.
London W1 dentists advise that if you are in any way unsure about something in your mouth that you arrange for a check up appointment . Although oral cancer is very dangerous and often fatal, if caught in its early stages it is treatable and has a greater than 80 per cent chance of survival if caught in its primary stages. It is also recommended that you visit a dentist every six months for a check up as they are specially trained to spot the signs of oral cancer early, as part of a routine dental check up.
Other symptoms of oral cancer include unexplained bleeding in the mouth and a sudden weight loss that appears to have no other cause behind it. There are certain factors that make people far more likely to suffer from oral cancer. Smoking is a particularly high risk factor, as is drinking alcohol, and the two combined increases the chances even further. Being male and over a certain age will also increase the chances of suffering from the condition but oral cancer can affect anybody at any time.
September 12th, 2009
It is said that only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. I’d like to add mouth ulcers to that list. Unless, like some ludicrously wealthy Russian oligarch so rich he doesn’t have to pay taxes, you are lucky enough to have escaped you will now the sharp, irritating pain of a mouth ulcer. That searingly painful little white sore on the lining of your mouth, that makes even the most mundane of activities like eating, drinking and even laughing almost unbearable, is one of life’s constants.
But what exactly is a mouth ulcer? Essentially it’s an exposed nerve in the lining of your mouth. The exposure of the very sensitive nerve endings to hot and cold food and drink, and often toothbrushes, is what causes the pain. They are often caused by accidental damage to the skin by biting, burning or even excessive rubbing from metal braces or dentures. These ulcers, caused by damage, are rarely serious and usually clear up themselves within a week or so.
But there are ulcers which represent something a little more serious and these are the ones that may require some kind of medical treatment. Commonly known as aphthous ulcers, they can be caused by hormonal changes in the body (puberty for example), stress or symptomatic of a wider health problem that may need attention. For example it is not unusual for mouth ulcers to be a symptom of herpes of possibly some kind of bowel inflammation. Aphthous ulcers are also often the result of a genetic predisposition. Other causes include vitamin deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 and iron.
If you are regularly suffering from mouth ulcers it may well be a good idea to see a West London dentist who may be able to shed some light on the underlying causes of the problem. They will also be able to offer some dietary advice on what foods are best to avoid. Usually dietary prevention which includes eating lots of vegetables and some red meat can help. As does avoiding hot liquids and stress. Some more homemade remedies include swilling water and paracetemol and drinking chamomile tea but it is always best to consult your West London dentist.
July 18th, 2009
Eating and relishing good food is what anyone would want to do. The aroma itself is enough to get your mouth watering and your mind distracted. But imagine that you have the delicacy right in front of you and you are not able to have one bite. Others in front of you are busy praising the chef and all you can do is sit and wonder how it would taste.
Yes, that’s what mouth ulcers are capable of. No wonder West London Dentists insist their clients to take good care of their teeth and gums as oral hygiene is very important if you do not want problems. Mouth ulcers are infections in the mouth which may begin as a small spot in your lips, cheek and gums and if left unattended may spread to a larger area. It is a very painful phenomenon as it serves as a constant reminder of what you have in the mouth. Every time you eat you are in pain when you should be busy imbibing every ingredient of the dish you are feasting on.
It is true that mouth ulcers are a living nightmare. Anything hot and spicy aggravates your problem and you try to refrain from them as much as possible. But how far can you control yourself? This is why dentists insist that you maintain high levels of oral hygiene since mouth ulcers thrive in unclean environments.
There are several solutions and remedies that your dentist will suggest to you for reducing the ulcer. Periodic dental checkups and regular overall cleaning are some of the steps you can take to prevent the occurrence of mouth ulcers and save yourself from a great deal of pain.
