Canker Sores

Canker Sores are one of the most common and hated oral problems in the modern world. They’re painful and irritating, making everyday activities like eating unbearable. Dr. Ramin Bahram and his staff at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have experience with a triage of oral problems. That’s why we’ve put together a simple guide on Canker Sores and how to treat them. To learn more, contact one of our four locations in the Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, or Folsom areas.

 

Canker Sores are small, yellow or white sores with a red border. They’re often on the soft tissues, like the gums or lips. They come in three distinct forms: minor, major, and herpetiform. Minor, as the name suggests, are small, healing between a week or so. Major sores are quite larger. These can take up to six weeks to heal. Herpetiform appear in clusters of ten to one hundred. They are about the size of a pinprick. If canker sores are severe or reoccurring, visit the dentist or your local physician.

 

There are a handful of naturalistic or holistic treatments for canker sores. Apply ice to the corresponding area on the face. Other remedies suggest placing a wet tea bag over the ulcer. You can also never go wrong with good old-fashioned salt water or baking soda rinse. Combine water with either substance, swishing it around your mouth for a minute or so. Certain studies indicate that there may be a connection between canker sores and nutritional deficiencies. Make sure your diet includes foods that are rich with iron and several B vitamins.

 

Over-the-counter treatment options are also available. Most grocery stores sell a large variety of canker sore relieving products. Benzocaine is a numbing agent used in most of the various gels. Dabbing a small amount of the agent temporarily numbs the canker sores. This gives you a chance to eat or drink pain-free. There are also antibacterial rinses that target canker sores. These clean the area while also soothing the sore.

 

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania provide treatment for all your needs, including canker sore relief. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ramin Bahram and our staff, visit our website or call. We have four offices across the PA area, including Philadelphia, Clifton Heights, and Folsom.

Mouth Guard Usage

Proper use of athletic mouthguards is one of the most important parts of oral health maintenance. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we hate to see a patient’s restorations destroyed and hope that most people won’t need their teeth repaired in the first place. Keeping safe during exercise and sports significantly reduces the odds of a dental emergency.

The better-fitted a mouthguard is, the less bulky it needs to be and the better protection it provides. Athletic stores and online retailers sell boil-and-bite mouthguards, which can easily be adjusted. These are particularly advantageous for kids and people undergoing orthodontic correction, since their teeth are rapidly shifting position. It is also possible to have a permanent, customized mouthguard fabricated, often with a dentist’s input. A properly-fitted mouthguard shouldn’t cause breathing problems.

Mouthguards are mandatory for most organized sports, and dentists also recommend them while cycling, skating, or tumbling. The mouthguard and its case need to be cleaned with each use to prevent oral infections and foul odors, after which they need to be patted dry. They also need to be kept out of high temperatures to avoid accidental reshaping.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Surgery for Oral Cancer Patients

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are a crucial part of the care team for anyone in the Philadelphia area facing oral cancer. Not only are our surgeons able to perform soft-tissue biopsies, they are also able to assist with the construction of prosthetic teeth and mouth parts a patient may need following the excision of a tumor.

Sometimes tumors can be cut out of soft tissue, such as the tongue or inside of the lip. But when they are inside or behind a jaw bone, a section of the bone will need to be cut away. Following its removal, the section of bone may be reinserted or replaced with a prosthetic or a bit of donor tissue (possibly from another part of the patient’s body). If the hard palate on the roof of the mouth was removed, it can be replaced with a specialized prosthetic that may also include replacement teeth.

The silver lining of bone replacement is that the new bone tissue may be better suited for receiving implants. There needs to be a certain amount of healthy bone for an implant post to fuse with, and bone grafts are sometimes necessary for people who have been without teeth for a long time. A patient’s oncologist will likely want them to undergo a dental examination prior to radiation treatment to determine whether any pre-existing caries will be aggravated and if any teeth are likely to need replacements.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

How Gum Disease is Linked to Arthritis

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are accomplished prosthodontists and often provide new teeth to people with severe gum disease. Periodontitis, the advanced form of gingivitis, can be treated, but it takes regular maintenance to prevent relapses. Recently, scientists have found evidence that it can also cause other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differs from some other forms of arthritis in that it is an autoimmune disorder. It causes the immune system to attack synovium, the tissue that lines joints, making the joints painfully swollen. Smoking and family history increase a person’s risk of RA, but scientists recently found evidence that it is triggered by a chemical process called hypercitrullination. During hypercitrullination, the body deforms a large number of proteins, leading to the creation of an excessive number of anti-protein antibodies. The antibodies subsequently turn on synovium cells.

The acid secreted by oral bacteria triggers hypercitrullination as a means of self-defense. Researchers also found some evidence that treating gum infections can reduce RA symptoms. As oral surgeons, our job is not only to provide periodontitis patients with prosthetic teeth, but also to educate them on cleaning their prosthetics so that they won’t suffer further decay. We hope that understanding the connection between gum disease and arthritis will motivate more people to seek treatment and to be diligent about their hygiene.

The Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Tooth Sensitivity

One nice thing about prosthetic teeth is that you don’t have to worry about sensitivity. But many of the patients at Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania have a mix of prosthetic and natural teeth, and we want to ensure their natural teeth are comfortable, as well. If you dread biting into an ice cream sandwich, read on.

Dentin, the layer of the tooth in between enamel and pulp, is made up of small tubes. It is an efficient conductor of heat, particularly if the enamel has a cavity. The tooth roots are covered in an adhesive material called cementum that seals them in the gum pocket, but they have less enamel and are more sensitive if the gum tissue recedes. Although the outer layer of a tooth can be cracked or eroded, sensitivity is usually due to acid.

Infectious oral bacteria secrete acid after metabolizing food particles. Acid may also be regurgitated from the stomach, particularly in patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  Improved brushing can reduce sensitivity, but patients may want to try switching to extra-fluoridated toothpaste to provide their enamel with reinforcement. If enamel mass has already been lost, it will have to be replaced with a prosthetic.

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania operate in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights. Visit Oral Surgery PA or call 215-463-4141.

 

Oral Cancer Screenings

At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, we encourage our patients to look for symptoms of oral cancer. Routine checkups for oral cancer should be done every year. The earlier oral cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance of treating it without any long-term effects.

During an oral cancer screening, our doctors will look for any lumps or abnormalities in your mouth that may be cancerous.

When possible, we advise our patients to avoid using tobacco as it increases your chance of developing oral cancer. If you consume alcohol regularly you have a higher chance of developing it. Our patients that have a family history of oral cancer or have previously been diagnosed with oral cancer are encouraged to have an exam at least once a year.

Remember to ask for an oral cancer screening or schedule one if you haven’t had one in the last year. If you notice any signs of oral cancer give us a call right away.

If you have questions or concerns regarding oral cancer, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at the office, visitwww.eldersburgdentist.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kurt B. Linkoff, DDS in Eldersburg, MD, call 410-795-2900. 

Before General and IV Anesthesia

General and IV anesthesia are used for a multitude of oral surgery practices and procedures. At Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania, Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas are skilled at both surgery and anesthesia. You may need general or IV sedation for procedures like wisdom teeth extractions or dental implant placement. Intravenous sedation or “twilight sedation” can also be used for certain procedures or for patients with high anxiety levels.

 

It is important to follow these strict instructions before undergoing anesthesia. Not following these instructions can cause complications during surgery or even result in postponing the procedure. The most important step to follow is that you cannot eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to your appointment. You can’t even have water. Smoking is also a big no. Ideally, you should cut down on smoking before the procedure. At a minimum, do not smoke for at least twelve hours beforehand.

 

You should not drive yourself to or from the office after the procedure. You can’t operate machinery for twenty-four hours following as well. A responsible adult will bring you to the office and take you home.

 

Before coming into the office, try to wear looser fitting clothes. Remove any contact lenses, jewelry, and dentures. Don’t wear lipstick or any makeup. You will need to have at least one finger free of any nail polish or artificial nails.

 

Let our staff know if you are not feeling well leading up to the surgery. These include colds, sore throats, and upset stomachs. Make sure to notify us of any routine oral medications that you take.

 

Oral Surgery Consultants of Pennsylvania are located in four offices across the PA area. We are located in Philadelphia, Folsom, and Clifton Heights, PA. To schedule an appointment with Drs. Bahram, Richman, Mohan, and Barunas, visit our website or call our main South Philadelphia office at 215-463-4141.