What is Burning Mouth Syndrome and how it can be treated?
January 13, 2009
Burning mouth syndrome is an oral concern that causes burning pain in the mouth affecting the tongue, gums and the inside of the mouth. Usually the pain is chronic and has no apparent cause. Sometimes the pain is severe and unbearable. Burning mouth syndrome is also known as scalded mouth syndrome, burning lips syndrome and glossodynia. Some of the symptoms of this oral condition include increased thirst, a burning sensation in the tongue, sore mouth and acidic mouth taste. Although the real cause of this condition cannot be known, some other health concerns may trigger the problem, such as stomach disorders, hormonal imbalance and stress or anxiety.
Some strong medicines such as antibiotics may also contribute to a dry and painful mouth. You can try changing or discontinuing certain medicines to see if this has any effect on the burning condition of the mouth. Some other pain relieving drugs may also be prescribed by the doctor to help lessen the soreness and irritation. In some cases when the cause is known, the other problem is treated first to cure the burning mouth syndrome. Inactive thyroid may also be a cause of this problem and therefore sometimes the doctor suggests seeing a thyroid specialist to pinpoint the main cause of burning mouth syndrome.
This oral concern may be confused with dry mouth or xerostomia which has different symptoms and causes. Dry mouth usually occurs as a side effect of certain drugs such as antidepressants. Dry mouth is not as much painful or irritating as compared to burning mouth syndrome which triggers severe pain and discomfort. In women the major cause of a burning mouth may be depression, anxiety and other psychological conditions. So, there is a need to address these problems before prescribing anything for the oral condition. Some researchers have also suggested that certain dental procedures may set off burning or dry mouth such as tooth extractions.
Not drinking enough water or not rinsing the mouth properly may also cause dry mouth which develops into its more severe form as a result of neglected oral hygiene. Your doctor may prescribe certain tests to diagnose the condition properly before suggesting any treatment. Sometimes the cause of such a condition is hormonal imbalance which can be detected through appropriate blood tests. Certain types of antioxidants may help control the problem and in some cases cognitive therapy might be required. In addition to these, some vitamins and mouth washes rich in fluoride and antiseptics are also prescribed to patients of burning mouth syndrome to alleviate pain.
Burning mouth syndrome affects women more than men, probably because women are often the victims of psychological disorders and hormonal imbalance. It may also cause depression and sleeplessness due to the chronic pain and irritation that won’t go away. Antidepressants are given to such patients to help lessen the effects of this oral condition. Some home remedies are also helpful and effective, such as avoiding tobacco products and citrus and other acidic fruits. In addition to these, drinking a lot of water and other liquids may also help in curing this irritating and painful oral condition.
The Truth about Carbonated Drinks: Are They Bad for Your Child’s Teeth?
January 5, 2009
Carbonated soft drinks have become an inevitable part of our lives. Many people are aware of the health risks associated with these drinks but most of the time they just ignore the warning signs and keep on quenching their thirst with the popular sodium carbonate or ‘soda’. The truth about carbonated drinks is that they rob us of calcium and make our bones weak. Not to mention our teeth suffer severely as a consequence of calcium loss. Another alarming fact is that these beverages have become a favorite drink of kids these days and the parents tend to turn a deaf ear to the dangers publicized about these drinks.
The soda may not show its effects in the short run but in the long run it really causes our teeth to become weak. As a result we become vulnerable to tooth decay and many other oral complications. Formation of cavities is also common among children and teenagers and it can be mainly contributed to their poor eating habits. Our kids are used to drinking soft drinks instead of plain water or milk and as a result they don’t consume adequate calcium through their everyday diet. Calcium deficiency means bone trouble and teeth trouble in the long run and it should be controlled right from the beginning.
Some people argue that diet soda or sugar-free carbonated drinks are not harmful for oral health but the truth is: all carbonated drinks contain carbonic acid, citric acid or phosphoric acid, all of which can have negative health effects. The drinks, apart from weakening our teeth and bones, can also cause serious diseases like diabetes and even cancer. Nowadays even kids younger than 4 years of age consume soft drinks. Although much of the hype created by forwarded emails about the dangers of soft drinks might be untrue, but it still is alarming that a drink that can cause your stomach to react abnormally can be anything but safe.
You must have heard that all diseases have their origins in the stomach. If your stomach is healthy, you are healthy. If you have not taken any steps yet to throw these soft drinks out of your life, then start acting now. Give your children plain water, fresh fruit juices, and milk to drink on a regular basis. Even if you are convinced that acids in these drinks are not harmful for the stomach or your overall health, you might be aware that excess sugars are not only dangerous for the heart but also for our teeth. And it is a known fact that these beverages contain high amounts of sugar.
Water is an excellent alternative to soft drinks or soda. It not only serves to rinse our mouth and removes dietary residue from the surface of our teeth, but also suppresses our appetite and controls problems related to the heart. The next time you are offered a soft drink, keep in mind that it will not only reduce the amount of calcium in your blood but also cause your body to lose water.
Children are more vulnerable to all these dangers, so keep them away from these unhealthy beverages. Start living healthy, say good bye to all carbonated soft drinks.