Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

Cold sores, sometimes called fever blisters, are groups of small blisters on the lip and around the mouth. Those who suffer from cold sores often suffer from them regularly. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and for many people, cold sores can be very painful.

Traditional treatment with pills and ointments may get rid of cold sores, but only 1 to 2 days faster. Pills and ointments can help ease the pain from the blisters or other uncomfortable symptoms. However, often the worst part of cold sores are the sores themselves. Many find them embarrassing. For this, pills and ointments do not always help.

Laser treatment for a cold sore is a fast, painless procedure. It can be performed by one of the dentists or hygienists at Dream Smile Dental on any cold sore lesion on the lips. Treatment of the cold sore during the “tingly feeling" stage can prevent the cold sore from progressing to the “full bloom" stage. Treatment after the blister has formed will greatly reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the outbreak. Laser treatment will also significantly reduce the chances of another cold sore recurring in the area that was treated.

The first symptoms of cold sores may include pain around your mouth and on your lips, a fever, a sore throat, or swollen glands. They will disappear in a couple weeks, but if this is too long for you or if you suffer from frequent or even occasional cold sore break outs, this treatment is for you!

Doctors believe that there are more than 18 million people living with sleep apnea and many of them are undiagnosed. Sleep apnea causes repeated pauses in breathing throughout the night.

More men than women have sleep apnea, but in women the incidences increase after menopause, most likely as a result of hormonal changes.

Obviously sleep apnea disrupts your sleep, however undiagnosed sleep apnea has been linked to high blood pressure, stroke, memory problems and diabetes.

Watch for these signs that you may have sleep apnea:

• Loud or chronic snoring - Snoring is a milder form of airway obstruction. If you’re snoring loudly, chronically and keeping your partner awake, it could be a sign of sleep apnea and you should talk to a sleep apnea dentist.
• You gasp for air – Sleep apnea suffers commonly pause in breathing. Those pauses are often followed by gasping, choking or snorting. In severe cases, you may experience frenzied gasps for air every 15 to 30 seconds throughout the night.
• Exhausted all day – Poor sleeping at night leads to sleepiness during the day. But this is one of the most often overlooked signs of sleep apnea. If you’re spending seven to nine hours in bed per night and still feel sleepy during the day, it could be a sign of sleep apnea.
• High blood pressure - Sleep apnea is linked to hypertension. When you stop or pause in breathing, this causes your blood pressure to spike.
• Use the restroom often at night – This could be linked to aging, but it is also a classic sign of sleep apnea. The stress on your body caused by not breathing triggers a full-bladder sensation.
• Wake up with a headache - Frequent pauses in breathing during the night decrease the oxygen levels in the brain, causing pain.

If you suffer from all or some of these signs, the best thing to do is to contact Dream Smile Dental, a sleep apnea dentist, and schedule a consultation. We will do some diagnostic tests in the office and then most likely send you home with a sleep monitor. This will give us the necessary information to determine the level of sleep apnea you suffer from and be able to recommend the ideal treatment option for you.

According to the latest statistics TMD is one of the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions. However, only half to two-thirds of the suffering population seek treatment for the condition. There are several reliable treatment options available to patients for resolving TMD and reducing or eliminating the associated jaw pain.

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorder, or TMD, has been shown to affect up to 12% of the American population. This makes TMD the second most frequently occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability next to chronic lower back pain.

Effects of TMD are often serious; early diagnosis and dental therapy can help ease and eliminate the muscle pain, headaches and tension associated with the disorder and restore healthy, pain-free jaw movement.

Dr. Shwartzman says identification of the underlying source of pain and discomfort are essential to crafting an individualized treatment plan. Although there are a wide variety of causes for TMD, she says some of the more prevalent reasons include poor bite alignment; chronic clenching or grinding of teeth, especially during sleep; trauma or accident; anxiety or stress, and chronic illness. Dr. Shwartzman assures patients that through diagnosis of oral history and habits, x-rays of the teeth and jaw, and a thorough examination from an experienced dentist, patients can identify TMD and treat it using personalized solutions such as neuromuscular dentistry for bite realignment and a custom-fitted oral bite guard called an orthotic.

"There are many treatment options, but oral appliances such as orthotics can be a straightforward solution to relieve from jaw pain," says Dr. Shwartzman. "For some patients, they are an ideal solution because they are custom crafted for each individual and generally can provide rapid relief from symptoms."

Dr. Shwartzman says patients seeking relief from the pain associated with TMD should consult a qualified neuromuscular dental practice before undergoing treatment to ensure proper therapy and the most effective results. She also adds that given the right treatment for each individual, patient(s) can resume normal daily functions and get back to living their lives without pain.

"Because TMD symptoms like headaches, tension, and muscle tenderness aren't always attributed to the temporomandibular joint, some people experience years of discomfort before receiving a proper diagnosis, says Dr. Shwartzman" "When patients finally experience relief from their symptoms, they couldn't imagine living life any other way."

Original article SF Gate