Monthly Archives: November 2011

About ulcers of the mouth-part 2

In the previous article “about ulcers of the mouth Part 1“, we have already discussed what is an ulcer, the causes and methods to identify the cause of an oral ulcer. In this next section we will be looking at the modailities used to treat ulcers of the mouth.

Treatments and home remedies for mouth ulcers

Treatment:

  • Based on and targeted at the etiology
  • Main goal of therapy: Relief of pain and reduction of ulcer duration. There are evidence that shows the most efficacy from corticosteroids and antimicrobials used topically.

1. Topical corticosteroids: Continue reading →

How to Decide Whether to Brush Your Tongue

© smellwell.com

Brushing your tongue may not be a common thing to do but this is one area where one should be incorporating in your oral hygiene regime. The tongue is a habitat for oral microorganisms therefore there is a potential need for tongue cleaning to be a part of our daily oral hygiene. Continue reading →

How to Rinse to Remove Plaque

© navandentalclinic.com

Tooth brushing is generally effective in removing food debris and plaque on our teeth. However there are certain sites and conditions inside the mouth that could not be cleaned merely by toothbrushing alone. Therefore other plaque removal methods and devices should be utilized other than toothbrushing in our oral hygiene regime, which includes rinsing. Continue reading →

About ulcers of the mouth-Part 1

What is an oral ulcer?

An ulcer in the mouth

An oral ulcer, or an ulcer in the mouth, is a painful lesion as a result of a complete break in the epithelium of mucous membrane. The body responds to this localized defect by producing fibrins, which fills and overflows in the ‘crater’ formed by the break in mucous membrane, giving it a bubble-like protrusion from the rest of the mucosa. The presence of fibrin gives it the yellowish colour which could easily be mistaken as pus. Continue reading →

How Interdental Brushes Affect Teeth

© sale.dentist.net

Supplemental plaque removal measures beyond tooth brushing are necessary in order to thoroughly remove plaque. Although toothbrushing can be effective at removing the plaque residing on sides of teeth, it is generally ineffective for surfaces in between teeth.

There are numerous sites and conditions inside the mouth better served by plaque removal methods and devices other than toothbrushing. Examples of these sites include fixed prostheses, crown margins, in between roots of multi-rooted teeth, orthodontic appliances, the tongue, implants, and dentures. Continue reading →

Causes of ulcers in the mouth

What are the causes of ulcers in the mouth?

oral ulcer

1. Trauma

i) Mechanical trauma

Accidentally biting your lips or cheeks or brushing your teeth too vigorously to the point of accidentally hitting your gums with the head of your toothbrush can lead to oral ulcers; some people are prone to biting himself because of the presence of a sharp tooth in the mouth. Continue reading →

Facial nerve test

Facial nerve tests are useful aids in determining prognosis in patients with facial nerve paralysis.  In treating patients with facial nerve disorders, one must be familiar with facial nerve anatomy, pathophysiology, and treatment options.  History and physical examination are the most important components of diagnosis in facial nerve disorders. Continue reading →