Sunday, August 8, 2010

Yeast Infection on the Corners of the Mouth

An oral yeast infection can be a scary thing and very uncomfortable to look at. Medically,  it happens mostly in infants during the development or eruption of the temporary teeth.
Adults can also get yeast infection on the corners of the mouth so it's important to know how to cure it as fast as possible.
There are many factors that can cause yeast infection on your mouth and these are usually easy to manage as most yeast infections are mostly at the corner part of the oral cavity.
Ill-fitting dentures, people who have been taking steroids, those who have immune deficiencies or rather their immune system is weak, diabetic patient and those taking prolonged  antibiotic therapies usually manifest yeast infections in their oral mucosa.
Having a dry mouth also can lead into this kind of infection thus the condition opens up to high risk of acquiring such disease making it more vulnerable to bacterial or fungal infections.
The corners of the mouth are the most susceptible areas of yeast infection as these are frequently moist and left untouched by the tongue.
People who rub or otherwise irritate the corners of the mouth also tend to develop yeast infections.
White patches or blotches on the corners of your mouth will bleed if they are touched frequently.
The infection is a painful inflammation and the corners of your mouth are usually cracked leading it to bleed easily when touched.
Yeast infection grows easily in moist areas and are usually collected at the skin folds at the corners of your mouth.
Treatment includes:
- Drinking cold liquids to soothe burning sensation
- Rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater
- Avoiding sugary foods to starve the infection and can to be cured easily
- Consulting a dentist to see if your dentures fit well, they may also ask about your oral habits as it may also affect the treatment process for yeast infections. 
Your mouth is one of the center of attractions in your face and is the most useful part for eating and talking so you have to practice good oral hygiene and be aware of the factors that can cause such yeast infections to your oral cavity.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Children's Dental and Oral Health



Oral health is an important part of overall health, and good oral health should start early for the child’s first line of defense against plaque, cavities and bad breath. From the time your child is born, you should start promoting a healthy and good oral hygiene for them.
Parents should ensure that their child’s teeth are well-developed and that they maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine as they grow. This is a continuing process to adulthood.
For babies, you should be careful in taking care of their teeth. You have to know the right way in cleaning their teeth. You can use a soft clean cloth or a ball of cotton soaked in clean water in taking out food debris or milk remnants left in their teeth’s surfaces. Check those surfaces regularly for spots or stains.  If your child’s mouth isn’t properly cleaned, they might suffer from halitosis and gum problems later on.
Tooth decay affects a lot of children mostly in this generation now that there are a lot acidic foods being advertised that easily destroy our teeth with cavities and tartar.
Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infection that may interfere in their eating, speaking, playing and learning. It might also affect their social skills as they won’t have the confidence in showing their decayed teeth to their friends or classmates.

Oral health should be instilled by the parents and must be disciplined to teach your children about dental education and awareness of oral hygiene.
You can encourage them to eat nutritious meals and limit sweet snacks and drinks. This will lower the risk of having tooth decay at a very early age.
Provide low-fat milk and dairy products but rich in calcium. It will strengthen the teeth’s surfaces as well as the enamel to prevent it from being too brittle.
Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride. Provide them toothpastes that contains fluoride. You can also opt for fluoridization with the help of your family dentist. They will you provide information which are necessary before your child undergoes such process.
Schedule regular dental check ups. A dental appointment at least twice a year will help you prevent unnecessary dental visits and additional expenses later on. It updates you on the condition of your child’s teeth as dentists routinely examine it every time you go visit them. 
Having healthy teeth allows your child to eat and chew properly. It also helps children to speak clearly and confidently show their most precious smiles.
Most importantly, it is advisable to educate your child what oral hygiene is and how it is related to their wellness. Poor oral health may affect their growth and school attendance and it also decreases their self-esteem having those black spots on their teeth which are very unsightly.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Obesity and Your Teeth





Obesity refers to a medical condition in which an excess amount of fats in the body is observed. It usually leads to some adverse effects in our health as it decreases life span and increases risks of having various debilitating diseases such as diabetesheart disease, stroke, arthritis and some cancer. It is commonly caused by factors such as eating more than your body can take and lack of physical activity. Perhaps there are some cases that it is being inherited or caused by some endocrine disorders and psychological illnesses.
The body mass index (BMI) is a measurement which compares height and weight. A person with a BMI of 30 or more is generally considered an obese. A person with a BMI equal to or more than 25 is considered overweight.

Eating a lot of foods (high in fat/ sugar) can cause decay to your teeth because of the carcinogens that inherits food bacteria and builds plaque or tartar. If you love eating fatty and acidic foods then you are not just prone to obesity but of tooth cavities and some gum problems as well. In some cases teeth fractures easily as it cannot tolerate masticating hard foods most especially if you always eat a lot. 

There are several factors that interact between obesity and tooth decay and it usually is connected through your eating habits. These factors involves lifestyle, physical activity as well as emotional and mental stress. When you've become indulged with eating a lot, your body mass changes and if this happens abruptly your teeth won't be able to support the weight of your buccal muscles or the mastication force that it carries during eating. Physical activities also affects how you eat as you consume energy doing it. Stress and anxiety are two factors affecting most eating habits as some console to food consumption as it gives them temporary relief after eating a lot.
The primary treatment for obesity is to be aware or be in control with the food that you eat (diet). You can eat healthy foods but you have to exercise regularly and take good care of your oral health. Visiting your dentist at least twice a year will help prevent tooth decay as well as maintain as well-cleaned dentition.