Posts

Showing posts from June, 2024

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Image
Obstructive sleep apnea affects approximately 936 million adults worldwide and can lead to serious complications for the heart, kidneys, and metabolism if left untreated. Dental health plays a significant role in diagnosing and managing sleep apnea . Dentists often spot early signs, such as worn tooth surfaces and enlarged tongues, making regular dental check-ups crucial for early detection and intervention of this potentially life-threatening condition. This post explains obstructive sleep apnea's symptoms, causes, and treatments. What is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, called apneas, can last from a few seconds to a few minutes and may occur 30 times or more per hour. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can have significant health consequences if left untreated. The Link Between Sleep Apnea and Dental Health Dental health and sleep apnea are closely related, and various dental problems migh

HPV In Mouth: Symptoms, Preventions, Diagnosis and Treatments

Image
  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a common viral condition that nearly everyone encounters at some point in their life. With over 100 types of viruses, HPV is mainly spread through sexual contact and is categorized into two types: low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV. Low-risk HPV infections cause warts (skin growths) on different parts of the body, while high-risk HPV infections can lead to cell changes and potentially cancer. Most HPV strains are harmless and do not cause cancer. Research indicates that about 40% of HPV strains affect the mouth and throat , known as Oropharyngeal Human Papillomavirus, a subtype of HPV. This can result in oral lesions, warts on the tongue, and high-risk infections leading to oral cancer. One particularly dangerous strain is HPV-16. How Do You Get HPV? Beyond sexual transmission, HPV can enter the body through the mouth or through cuts and wounds in the skin. Men are generally more susceptible to oral HPV infections than women. Several factors can in

8 factors behind dark gums - Surya Dental Care

Gum color varies among individuals, with most people having pink gums. Some may have gums with tiny reddish dots or dark pink hues. Conversely, some people may have purple or black gums. If you notice black gums , it’s important not to ignore them, as they may indicate an underlying dental disease. However, don’t panic—black gums can result from various factors, not just dental issues. Our dentists at Surya Dental Care have outlined some potential causes below: 1)  Melanin  Melanin, a natural body substance, determines skin color. Individuals with high melanin concentrations often have darker gums like their skin. Genetically induced black gums typically do not cause pain or issues. 2)  Bruises  Gum injuries from hard brushing, flossing, or biting hard substances can result in wounds. These wounds might appear red, black, or brown and generally heal over time. 3)  Amalgam Tattoo  Dental treatments involving materials like amalgam can cause dark spots on gums if particles dislodge aroun

Pulp Stone — Causes, Types, and Removal

Image
Denticles, also known as pulp stones , are calcified deposits that develop inside the pulp chamber of teeth and are home to blood vessels and nerves. These structures, which range in size from 0.05 mm to 4 mm, can form in the crown or root regions of both milk and adult teeth, and the number of these structures varies from tooth to tooth. Although the exact mechanism of pulp stone development is unknown, age-related pulp size decrease is frequently linked to it. The calcification that results from reduced cell density and the degeneration and mineral collaboration of pulp chamber cells are factors that exacerbate this process. Previous dental procedures like restorations and fat deposits surrounding the pulp chamber may also be factors. Pulp stones can be extremely painful and difficult to identify; radiography and sophisticated imaging are needed for this purpose. The stones are arranged according to their location, structure, and size. Pulp stones might make it difficult to reach the

Tongue Biting During Sleep - Causes , symptoms and treatments

Image
Many of us have experienced accidentally biting our tongue while eating or talking, which can be both painful and annoying. This often results in a swollen bump on the bitten area. While  children sometimes chew their tongues when hungry or even bite them in their sleep, adults may also experience tongue biting during sleep for various reasons. This post explores why adults bite their tongues during sleep, the symptoms, and available treatment options. Causes of Tongue Biting During Sleep Bruxism Bruxism involves involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth and is a common cause of tongue biting during sleep. Muscle contractions from bruxism can trap the tongue between the teeth, resulting in bites. Statistics show that sleep bruxism affects nearly 50% of children, 8% of middle-aged adults, and 3% of older adults. Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea can contribute to tongue biting. Patients with sleep apnea often have larger tongues and relaxed mouth muscles, disrupting sleep patterns and increasin

4 Facial exercises for a pretty smile - Surya Dental Care

Image
Sustaining a lovely grin is essential for leaving a good impression and communicating pleasant feelings. Stains, tooth loss, and age can impact a person’s smile aesthetics. Exercises for the face are essential for improving the tone of your muscles and the look of your smile. Here are shortened versions of the exercises on the list Jolly Rabbit: Without opening your mouth, give a big smile. Clutch your lips and open your mouth wide. Make a rabbit-like nose wiggle. Repeat 1–3 times while holding for 10–20 seconds. Smile Broad Method: Give a broad smile and hold it for 15 seconds. Ten times over, repeat. Fish Expression: Inwardly suction lips and cheeks. Try smiling while doing the fish posture. When you get a slight soreness, release. Perform once a day. The Lion Pose Widen your mouth Lower your tongue to your chin. Make a lion-like sound as you exhale. Five times a day, repeat. Bottom line although sometimes disregarded, facial workouts provide benefits akin to physical exercise. Consi

Understanding Red Spots on the Roof of the Mouth: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention - Surya Dental

Image
Red spots on the roof of the mouth can be alarming but are often harmless and resolve independently. Since the palate is a sensitive area, these spots can sometimes lead to inflammation. This blog post will explain the potential causes, treatment options, and preventive measures for red spots on the roof of the mouth . Causes of Red Spots on the Roof of the Mouth Erythroplakia Erythroplakia presents as red, velvety patches on the roof of the mouth or other parts of the oral cavity. These patches, which can be smooth or slightly raised, are typically painless. Erythroplakia is a precancerous condition and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider as it can precede oral cancer. Canker Sores  Also known as aphthous ulcers, canker sores are small, painful lesions that can develop on the roof of the mouth. They are not contagious and are often triggered by stress, hormonal changes, or minor mouth injuries. Oral Herpes Caused by the herpes simplex virus, oral herpes can lead to small, pai

Ways to Remove Objects Stuck Between Your Teeth - Surya Dental

Image
Certain seemingly minor issues can be highly annoying until resolved, such as food stuck in teeth or gums . This often happens when eating meat, vegetables, fibrous foods, or snacks like popcorn. Small traces of food lodged between teeth can lead to problems like plaque build-up, which can accelerate cavity formation. When food debris remains stuck for a prolonged period, it can be particularly bothersome. In desperation, some people resort to using unsafe items like toothpicks, twigs, safety pins, cutlery, forks, fingernails, and even strands of hair to dislodge the debris. However, using such objects can damage oral tissues and forcibly create spaces between teeth, leading to numerous other problems. So, what is the safest way to remove food stuck in your teeth? Here are some safe methods for removing food trapped in your teeth: 1. Rinse with Water or Mouthwash    Gargling with water or mouthwash is a simple way to remove food debris. Swishing the liquid around in your mouth creates