Oral Piercing

Chipped teeth, drooling, gum disease, nerve damage, loss of taste, tooth loss, infection---are all problems that can occur with oral piercing.

Most common problem that people get with tongue piercing is fractured teeth. This usually occurs while eating, sleeping, talking or chewing on the jewelry. When a tooth fracture occur it could be as minor a small filling to repair or it may need a root canal or tooth extraction depending on the extent of the fracture.

Other complications that can occur:

Swelling of the tongue could occur during the puncturing of the tongue which can lead to one's airway being cut off.

Infection can occur since the tongue is covered with natural bacteria that can be introduce into the body's blood stream during the puncturing of the tongue. There is also a risk of getting HIV or hepatitis from those who may be during the piercing if the needle is not fresh or new. There are places that reuse their needle, if they do they need to make sure the needle use is sterilize in extreme heat by an autoclave

Care for your Oral Piercing:

Removing your oral piercing when you are eating and sleeping

Clean your piercing everyday with a brush just like you would with your teeth.

Bruxism

Bruxism is characterized by grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw. Untreated Bruxism can lead to damage to the teeth and gums as well as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder)

What causes Bruxism?

Can be caused by numerous situations: biting problems, stress, medical conditions, medication

What are signs of bruxism?

Only 5% of people develop symptoms (jaw pain, headaches) that require treatment. Most living partner or parent will notice bruxism due to the loud noise that is made. Bruxism can cause abnormal wear on the top surfaces of the teeth, notching of the teeth along the gum line and can lead also lead to tooth fractures. It has been associated with tooth loss, gum recession and loose teeth.

Symptoms associated with bruxism?

Some associated symptoms are anxiety, stress , tension, depression earache, eating disorders, headache, insomnia, sore jaw. If left untreated, the teeth can be shorten or blunted to the gum line that can lead to facial muscle pain and TMD. In some severe causes arthritis of the jaw joints.

How is bruxism diagnosis?

Patient are usually made aware during routine dental care. During the examination, if the case is a deep concern the dentist may refer patient for an overnight study at a sleep laboratory.

How is bruxism treated?

There is no definitive cure for bruxism but some of the treatment used is a mouthguard, bite adjustments, biofeedback devices and/or repair on damaged teeth to help reduce and possibly eliminate the signs and symptoms of bruxism.

EATING DISORDERS

Eating disorders is a devastating condition that has a serious consequence to one's health.

There are four types of eating disorders:

1) Anorexia nervosa--is a life threatening eating disorder where one starve themselves to excessive weight loss

2) Bulimia nervosa-- is another life threatening eating disorder where one does a cycle of binging and compensatory behavior to undo the binge eating such as self-induce vomiting, use of laxatives or diuretics or enemas

3) Binge eating occurs when one eats uncontrollable without undoing the excessive eating

4) Pica involves eating non-food substances (coal, laundry starch, plaster, pencil eraser) for a one month period during a developmentally inappropriate age.

How does eating disorder affect one's health?

It robs the body of adequate minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients that is needed for good overall health. Without the right nutrition your gums may bleed easily, bad breath can occur along with sensitive teeth, mouth sores, crack lips and dry mouth.

Excessive exposure of stomach acid to the tooth enamel occurs from frequent vomiting leading to thinning of the tooth enamel where they can break easily and easily become sensitive to hot/cold food and drinks.

Can one recover from an eating disorder?

Yes, with professional help, nutritional counseling and a good support system.

Dental Sealants

What are Dental Sealants?
It's a non-invasive treatment done on Virgin permanent teeth (commonly the molars) as additional preventive and protection against tooth decay.
It's a plastic material that is applied to the pits and groves and located on the chewing surface of the tooth.

How long do they last?
A sealant can remain on the chewing surface of a tooth for a very long time. As long as you avoid eating to many hard, nutty or chewy foods. Over time, the sealants may wear down and may need to be reapplied.

Who can have Dental Sealants?
Sealants are commonly placed on children's premolar and molar teeth, but they can also be placed on adults.

How are Sealants applied?
It takes only a few minutes to apply. The dentist first cleans the chewing surface of the tooth with an acid solution prior to painting sealant on the tooth. Once the sealant is painted on, a special light is used to harden the sealant. The dentist than checks the patient's bite to make sure the sealant is not to high and adjust as needed.