July 16, 2006

What other oral diseases we may have?

Fever blisters: Infections of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). If you ever had a fever blister, herpes labialis or cold sore let me tell you, you are not the only one. Half a million people suffer from it every year. Once you’ve been exposed to this virus, this may hide inside your system for years. Taking to much sunlight, having slight temperature with a cold, stress may wake up the virus, causing tiredness, muscular pain, sore throat, inflamed and sensible and lymphatic glands and fever blisters.

These blisters are quite contagious and are usually formed on the lips, or sometimes underneath the nose or the chin. The blisters take from 7-10 days to heal without leaving any scars.

There are medicines available at any drug store or supermarket to apply over the cold sore to anaesthetize and ease the pain. If the fever blisters persist, consult your doctor or your dentist to prescribe you an antivirus medication to help you diminish the chances of having these types of viral infections.

Aphthous ulcers or aphthosis: Common blisters, mostly innocuous, appear inside your mouth like ulcers of white or gray base and red border; they are more frequently in women than in men, usually during the menstrual period.

Their causes are unknown so far, but specialists relieve they are related to problems of the immunological system, which protect us from diseases, bacteria and viruses. Fatigue, stress or allergies may increase the probabilities of acquiring an aphthous ulcer. You may also get one if you have a cut in the interior part of your cheek or on your tongue. Aphtae may be small and are usually healed in one or three weeks. However, if you have a big aphtae (more than 1 centimeter); it might be treated with medication. Avoiding spicy meals can ease the pain. It may help as well using smooth mouth washers or salad water, of cleaning the aphtae with milk of magnesia or a mix or water and oxygenated water. There is no proven way to prevent aphtae, but if you get them constantly, take into account what may be irritating your mouth and tell your dental or dental hygienist.

Candidiasis or oral infections by fungi: These infections appear like red or white lesions in the mouth, plains or slightly up. They are common the people who use dentures, especially to old people, young people who have had extractions, or people who have problems in their immunological system. People with dry mouth syndrome have high probabilities of acquiring oral infections by fungi, which may be prevented with a good oral hygiene. If you use fake teeth, wash them and take them out when going to sleep. Ask your dentist or dental hygienist about medicines for these infections.

Dry Mouth Syndrome: Quite common in many adults, especially as they grow old. This may difficult eating, swallowing, tasting and talking. It happens when the salivary glands stop functioning correctly, usually as a secondary effect of medicines or any other health problems. If it is not treated it may produce cavities, since saliva helps the mouth to stay free from pieces of food and also helps to avoid acid form plaque onto your teeth.

Oral cancer: This type of cancer happens more frequently in people over their 40’s. It is discovered at its most advanced stage, when it is harder to treat. This happens because oral cancer is not painful, so the person who bears it may not find out she has it. Besides, many people don’t visit the dentist often enough to discover the cancer at an early stage. The most places where this cancer is developed are the tongue, lips and the mouth’s base. The use of tobacco, especially combined with alcohol is the main cause if this cancer. Oral cancer may show as a spot or a small blister, red or white in any place of the mouth. Among other signals there are:

– An easily bleeding blister or a blister that never heals.
– Change of color of the oral tissues.
– A scab, sensibility, numbness or a corrupted area by pain in any part of the mouth or lips.
– Problems for chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue
– Change in the teeth adjustment.

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