Monthly Archives: December 2009

Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren's syndrome

Sjogren

Sjogren’s Syndrome Overview

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease named after a Swedish Ophthalmologist, Henrik Sjogren. It is characterized by abnormal production of antibodies against certain body tissues particularly the glands. This would cause inflammation and malfunction of the glands. Sjogren’s syndrome could coexist with connective tissues diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma. In this case it is called secondary Sjogren’s syndrome. Continue reading

Are you suffering from Lichen Planus?

oral lichen planus

oral lichen planus

Definition

Lichen planus is a disorder affecting the skin or in the mouth.70% of patients with skin lesions have oral involvement, but only 10% of patients presenting with oral lesions have involvement .It is more common in women over 30-50 years of age.

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Your guide to home tooth whitening

Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

As in-office bleaching or professional tooth whitening costs increase, many people are turning to cheaper and more affordable alternatives to achieve a whiter smile. Though in-office tooth whitening have a higher success rate, many people swear by home tooth whitening and claim that it is just as effective in removing yellow stains.

Why choose home tooth whitening systems?

The main difference between home tooth whitening systems and professional tooth whitening besides the cost is the concentration of bleaching ingredient or tooth whitening product. In-office tooth whitening which are prescribed only by dentists such as the Zoom teeth whitening system generally have a higher concentration hence the more effective and results are attained quicker. Home tooth whitening products generally contain very low levels of bleach and in some cases the content might be negligible. Hence it is important for those who want to opt for home tooth whitening kits to look around for the best and most effect method or product to avoid wasting money unnecessarily. Continue reading

Broken Teeth

Tooth structure

Tooth structure

Broken Teeth and Fractured Teeth Overview

Our teeth are  very strong. We have an outer layer of enamel covering which can only be sectioned or cut with diamond coated drills. However, over the years due to hard diets or decay of tooth, the tooth structure of enamel becomes weakened. That is when our tooth can chip and have a fractured tooth (cracked tooth)  and also a broken tooth.

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What is Sialadenitis?

Salivery glands © morefocus group

Salivery glands © morefocus group

Sialadenitis is the inflammation of the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva in our mouths. Saliva is essential for the normal functioning and health of the mouth.  Disorder of salivary glands function can lead to oral disease, for example tooth decay and gum disease. Sialadenitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection but the disorder can occasionally be due to other causes, such as trauma, radiation and allergic reactions. Continue reading

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis disease is a multisystemic disease, affecting all the body systems

Sarcoidosis disease is a multisystemic disease, affecting all the body systems

Overview of sarcoidosis disease

Sarcoidosis is a multi-system (affects all systems of the body) granulomatous disease . A granuloma is a localized nodular inflammation of our immune cells which fuse together to form larger cells and finally form large nodules in our body.

This disease usually affects the lungs , but it can affect any other organs. Skin lesions are also common.

Currently there is no known cause for the sarcoidosis disease. It affects young adults and equally occurs in both male and female. Continue reading

Apical Periodontitis: Symptoms and Treatment

Periodontitis © Enom

Periodontitis © Enom

Periradicular, periapical or apical periodontitis can be defined as inflammation of all the supporting structures of the teeth in the area surrounding the apex of the tooth.  Periapical inflammation is usually due to tooth infection which characteristically causes pain of tooth in its socket. It is often accompanied by destruction of bone and occasionally, the root apex of tooth. However the periapical tissue has the ability to heal if the cause of inflammation is removed. Periapical periodontitis can be divided into acute and chronic apical periodontitis. Continue reading

Chronic Adult Periodontitis: Treatment and Prevention

Continued from the previous part

Periodontitis © Rolf Attstrom et al

Periodontitis © Rolf Attstrom et al

Management of chronic periodontitis

Treating periodontitis can be by the means of:

1) Control of bacterial plaque – The home remedy for periodontitis is a good oral hygiene regimen. Effective plaque removal is important for the success of controlling periodontitis. Extra care in tooth brushing and the use of interdental cleaning aids for example floss and small brushes to clean in between the teeth are required to resolve gingivitis. Your dentist may advise you to use 0.12% chlorhexidine mouth rinses for chemical plaque control. You can also make your own mouthwash using salt, baking soda or essential oils to reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth. Local factors that disrupt proper plaque control should be removed, altered or controlled. Continue reading

Chronic Adult Periodontitis: Cause and Symptoms

Advanced Periodontitis © PIC

Advanced Periodontitis © PIC

Periodontitis means inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth or also known as the periodontium. Periodontal disease can generally be divided into chronic, aggressive and necrotizing periodontal disease.

Chronic periodontitis can appear at any age but is most prevalent in adults. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the supporting structures of the teeth and loss of gum attachment due to destruction of the periodontal tissues. Prevalence and severity of the disease increase with age. The levels of chronic periodontitis can be classified as: Continue reading

Top tips to care for adult orthodontic braces

A female mouth with braces.

Adult orthodontic braces care

There is a common conception of adult orthodontic braces being used to straighten teeth but many of us do not actually understand the amount of care required in maintaining them. Adult orthodontic braces care is important as it is also a crucial part of treatment, as much as teeth straightening. Its importance is commonly undermined as orthodontic braces are usually associated with the orthodontist taking a more active determinant role in treatment, rather than the patient. But this is not true as adult orthodontic braces care is as, if not more important due to its responsibility being solely dependent on the patient. This will and can significantly alter or influence the outcome of orthodontic treatment. Continue reading