Yikes! Canker Sores 101 | Best Dentist San Diego

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When you have a canker sore, eating, drinking, and talking can be very uncomfortable and even painful. Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine can also be challenging when you have a sore in your mouth. However, you must continue with your daily routine as part of your healing process. 

What is a canker sore?

Typically, canker sores are small, reddish lesions. They are located on your tongue, on the sides of your mouth, and at the base of your gums. In some cases, a sore may appear yellow or white in the center. In addition, you may feel a burning or tingling sensation a day or two before the sores appear.

A canker sore is different from a cold sore (also referred to as a fever blister). Cold sores usually appear on the outside of your lips or at the corners of your mouth.

Where do they come from?

Injuries are one of the most common causes of canker sores. This can be caused by biting your lip or cheek due to stress, an injury from sports, or even brushing vigorously. Some individuals are sensitive to toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulfate, which may result in sores. Certain foods may also cause canker sores. Sores are known to be triggered by foods such as chocolate, eggs, nuts, and spicy foods. Occasionally, an unbalanced diet may be to blame, especially when zinc or vitamin B-12 deficiency is the underlying cause.

Can you tell me what I can do?

Maintaining a healthy mouth is your best defense. Keeping your teeth clean means brushing twice a day and flossing every day. It may be tempting to avoid brushing your teeth when you have a mouth sore. However, this can lead to a buildup of plaque and bacteria. To help the healing process, keep your mouth clean and healthy. Alternatively, you can try a mouthwash formulated especially for mouth sores. There are also over-the-counter and prescription products you can use, such as Benzocaine, Fluocinonide, and hydrogen peroxide. You can also take nutritional supplements such as folic acid, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, or zinc. Consult our team if you are unsure or if the pain persists.

It is recommended to brush around sores gently but thoroughly. Most canker sores will heal within one week. Make an appointment with our dentist if you experience sores frequently or if they do not heal within one week. We will evaluate the severity of your sore and may recommend alternate treatments if necessary.

For more information, contact our office to schedule an appointment. We are committed to your oral health

Paul Taylor, DMD- Advanced Dentistry
Phone: (858) 496-7521
4320 Genesee Ave., Suite 101
San Diego , CA 92117

Using The Proper Toothbrush Method | Dental Implants San Diego CA

Dentist San Diego

Many people are surprised to learn that, for years, they have actually been brushing their teeth the wrong way. Brushing your teeth incorrectly may cause oral health problems including gum tissue recession and tooth decay. Using the proper toothbrush method will help you better protect your teeth and gum tissue, and ultimately save you a great deal of money.

The common way that people brush their teeth is the back and forth motion, similar to sawing back and forth. Many people will brush until they feel like their teeth are clean and slippery. Unfortunately, this is not the correct way to brush your teeth. This motion causes you to scrub away tooth enamel, which will make your teeth sensitive to hot and cold liquids and food much sooner than they normally would be. This sawing motion is also very abrasive to your gums. 

Brushing too hard can increase your chances of developing tooth decay and receding gums. This method also does not clean effectively. Since the bristles are moving back and forth, they are essentially bouncing from one tooth to the next, which causes you to miss the spaces in between the teeth to remove plaque and other tiny particles of food.

So what is the proper way to brush your teeth? Start by placing your toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to where the teeth meet the gums. Then gently move your toothbrush back and forth and make sure the bristles cover each tooth and work their way around the sides of the tooth. This method allows you to find all of the food particles and plaque in the spaces between your teeth. Our Dentist San Diego dental team can help demonstrate this method for you at your next appointment. 

The importance of brushing teeth properly is often overlooked, but it is a critical part of keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Using the right method to brush your teeth will prevent plaque build-up that is harmful and can lead to many oral health problems. Brushing properly will help to prevent:

  • Gingivitis: an inflammatory gum disease that develops from improper plaque removal along the gumline (and in between teeth) 
  • Tooth decay: damage that occurs when bacteria (located in dental plaque) in your mouth make acids that eat away at a tooth

It’s not easy to relearn brushing after you’ve been using one method. Switching over will take some getting used to, but the results will speak for themselves. If you have any questions regarding the correct method of brushing your teeth or would like a demonstration, please contact our Dentist in San Diego office.

Paul Taylor, DMD- Advanced Dentistry
Phone: (858) 496-7521
Url: http://dz5.6c7.myftpupload.com/
4320 Genesee Ave., Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92117