June 5, 2007
A toothache can lead to headaches, loss of appetite and a bad attitude.
Chapped lips aren’t only uncomfortable, but unattractive.
And a canker sore is about as pleasant as an enema.
If our mouths aren’t feeling well, we’re not feeling well.
“The mouth, teeth, lip and gums are important for maintaining health, and they are also markers of overall health,” said University of California, Irvine Medical Center’s Dr. William B. Armstrong, who specializes in head and neck cancer surgery. “If someone is malnourished, the gums and teeth will show it. Poor oral care goes along with chronic disease.”
The mouth and lips are also key to an attractive appearance.
“Everyone always remembers someone’s smile,” said Anastazia Grey Woodin, a makeup artist and esthetician at Baker Street West Salon in Costa Mesa, Calif.
Filling-free and healthy
Eat a balanced diet, following the five major food groups (breads/grains; fruit; vegetables; dairy; meats/fish) to ensure you are getting all the nutrients your body needs to build and maintain strong bones, decay-resistant teeth and healthy gums, Dr. Nick Salvati, who owns a private dental practice in San Clemente, Calif., said.
Visit your dentist at least twice a year, said Salvati. And don’t forget to brush your teeth two to three times a day and floss.
Inspect your teeth and mouth for changes in gum color, bleeding areas, sores, or cuts on the gums or tongue whenever you brush, said Dr. Maged Zakhary, president of TruDental in Newport Beach, Calif.
Use an American Dental Association-approved fluoride toothpaste like Colgate Total, Biotene (for dry mouth) or Sensodyne (for sensitive teeth), Salvati said. Be careful about using whitening and tartar-control toothpastes since their additives can make teeth very sensitive. Though both types of toothpaste are safe for the most part, peroxide in whitening products and phosphate in tartar-control toothpastes can lead to sensitivity to temperature and peeling of mouth tissues.
Drink more water and cut down on soda, said dentist Dr. Pooneh Sabo, owner of OC Dental Center in Santa Ana, Calif. When you do drink soda, use a straw so the liquid stays in your mouth less. Dilute juices with water.
Watch your milk intake, Sabo said. Milk has a lot of sugar in it, so brush or rinse after drinking.
Gorgeous lips, nice smile
Avoid drawing too much past your lip line when applying color; overdraw only to correct the shape of your lips, Woodin said. When applying color, start your liner or lip brush at the side of your top lip and move upward.
Apply a few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil to your tongue or toothbrush to help freshen your breath and kill bacteria, UC Irvine dermatologist Dr. Christopher B. Zakhary said.
To keep your lips soft and supple, use lip balms that contain soothing, moisturizing ingredients like cocoa or shea butter, aloe vera, maple (an antioxidant), tea tree and/or vitamin E, said Tamara Freedman, esthetician and director of education at Spa Gregorie’s in Newport Beach, Calif.
Avoid ingredients like camphor and menthols because they will dry out your lips, causing you to use more and more product. Don’t forget to get a lip balm with sun protection, said Zachary.
For fuller lips, consider hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane and Juvederm, Zachary said. Fillers generally last three to nine months, though some companies are making ones that last a few years.
Use glycolic acid products around the lips twice a day to exfoliate the area and make the skin look smoother, said Dr. Valdemar Ascencio, a plastic surgeon at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, Calif.
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ORAL FRUSTRATIONS
Orange County, Calif.-area dentists Dr. Nick Salvati and Dr. Pooneh Sabo, and head/neck cancer surgery specialist Dr. William B. Armstrong offer their insight on a few common mouth conditions.
Canker sores: A recurring problem for 20 to 50 percent of the population, canker sores may be caused by a bacterium that lays dormant in the salivary glands, but releases toxins during times of mental and physical stress, trauma to the mouth, menstruation, etc., Salvati said. The result is a painful ulcer often the size of a dime on the soft mucosa (cheeks, inner lip, floor of the mouth, side of the tongue) inside the mouth.
Certain spicy foods can irritate an existing ulcer as well as cause a new one to form. While canker sores typically heal on their own, you can try using over-the-counter numbing treatments like Anbesol or prescription medications that can reduce pain and healing time.
Prevention tips include reducing stress and chances for oral trauma (for instance, limit gum chewing to prevent accidental cheek biting). Vitamin supplements like lysine may also help.
Cold sores: Cold sores, or fever blisters, are a recurring problem for about 40 percent of the population, Salvati said. They’re caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), which is believed to be transmitted through respiratory secretions like coughing and sneezing, sexual or physical contact, and through the placenta at birth.
Cold sores typically appear as single or small groups of painful blisters on the roof of the mouth, gums, lips and nose. They can recur on a regular basis or randomly.
Treatment options include prescription antiviral medications and laser therapies. To prevent them, avoid eating or drinking from other people’s utensils or cups. Also, avoid touching the sore so you don’t spread it to other people or to other areas of your body, like your eyes.
Oral cancer: Cancer in the oral cavity can look like a white or red lesion, Armstrong said. It is often painless, but can also be painful and may bleed. You may think you bit your lip or tongue, but it doesn’t heal within a week or two.
Risk factors for developing oral cancer include cigarettes, chewing tobacco and alcohol. Treatment options depend on the extent of the tumor, and include surgery or radiation therapy.
Gum disease: Occurring in about 80 percent of Americans, gum disease is an inflammation of the gums, Sabo said. Since there’s often no pain associated with gum disease, many people have it without knowing it.
Symptoms can include red and inflamed bleeding gums, and foul odor in the mouth. In more advanced cases, teeth can become loose. Gum disease is caused by plaque and bacteria building up under the gums.
Treatment options include basic dental cleaning, deep cleaning, bone grafts to stabilize loose teeth and/or gum grafts.
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