Although both sexes are susceptible BMS, the typical patient is a post-menopausal female. Research has shown that between ten and forty percent of post-menopausal women report some symptoms related to BMS. I can only imagine the frustration of having a disorder that can not be definitively diagnosed, interferes with eating, sleeping, becomes progressively worse with time, generally has no known cause, and for which there is no cure. This is the problem facing both the patient with burning mouth syndrome and the health professional that elects to treat the case.
Research indicates that in approximately thirty percent of the cases there is a causative link to a variety of oral and systemic conditions, conditions such as the onset of menopause, diabetes, chemo and radiation therapy, and a host of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In the remaining seventy percent of BMS cases no specific diagnosis can be made.
Generally speaking not unusual for a patient who suffers from BMS to have one or more of the above mentioned conditions or none at all. This creates a complex challenge for professionals to arrive at a diagnosis; as a result diagnosing BMS is often done through process of elimination. If you have symptoms BMS, you should consult your dentist. Your dentist should first take a thorough medical history, and check your mouth for any obvious oral problems.
If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, he should refer you to a physician to check for possible medical causes.
Like your dentist your physician should also take a thorough medical history, after which he will probably order a full blood work-up. Treatments for BMS depend on the patient and the cause. If your dentist has determined you have a fungal infection he will prescribe an antifungal agent, such as nystatin. If he determines the cause to be an irritation from dental work, a simple adjustment maybe all that’s needed.
If the cause of your BMS is determined to be medical, your physician may prescribe various medications. For menopause he may recommend hormone replacement therapy.
Recent studies of BMS have pointed to dysfunction of several cranial nerves associated with taste sensation as a possible cause of burning mouth syndrome. Given in low dosages, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be effective in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Topical capsaicin has been used in some patients.
Because there is so little understanding on what causes BMS, it’s very important for you to evaluate any lifestyle changes you may have made prior to getting BMS. If you can think of anything that maybe a cause, it would be wise to stop it to see if your burning subsides.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Gum Disease, Health Consequences
Periodontal [gum] diseases, including gingivitis and peridontitis, are serious oral infections that, left untreated, can lead to early tooth loss. Periodontal disease is a chronic infection affecting the gums and the underlying bone around the roots of your teeth. It is estimated that 90% of the world adult population has some form of periodontal disease. So what can we do about it?
Early diagnosis is extremely important. The mildest form of gum disease is gingivitis. If you have reddened gums that are a bit swollen and bleed easily when you brush, chances are you have gingivitis. Generally speaking there is no pain associated with gingivitis. The bacteria in dental plaque cause gingivitis. [Plaque is a sticky film that collects around your teeth]. The treatment is simple a professional cleaning, followed by a good oral hygiene regimen. With proper brushing and flossing, you can be disease free in as little as a week!
Untreated gingivitis will progress to periodontitis. If the plaque is left undisturbed, it will calcify creating “tarter” or calculus. The calculus can form below or above the gums [sub or supra]. The calculus is very irritating to the gums and causes a great deal of swelling and inflammation. More important is that bacteria continue to collect on the calculus releasing toxins which breakdown the supporting tissues around your teeth. This includes the bone holding your roots in place. As you lose bone, your teeth loosen and if not treated, will eventually require extraction.
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria found in dental plaque. However, there are additional risk factors that you should be aware of. 1. Smoking [could be the greatest risk factor] 2. Poor nutrition 3. Pregnancy and Puberty 4. Medications 5. Stress 6. Diabetes 7. Clenching and grinding your teeth 8. Immune diseases
Anyone who has any of these risk factors should take additional steps to protect their teeth and gums. I recommend professional cleanings 3-4 times a year. By doing this, I can monitor your oral hygiene and catch any problem areas before they progress. You raised the question of costs; root planning is not a routine polishing that one might have done every six months in conjunction with their check-up. Full mouth root planning is an extremely labor intensive procedure and generally will be preformed in two appointments, each appointment approximately two hours in length. I don’t think the $1050 fee you were quoted was out of line for four hours of office time.
Early diagnosis is extremely important. The mildest form of gum disease is gingivitis. If you have reddened gums that are a bit swollen and bleed easily when you brush, chances are you have gingivitis. Generally speaking there is no pain associated with gingivitis. The bacteria in dental plaque cause gingivitis. [Plaque is a sticky film that collects around your teeth]. The treatment is simple a professional cleaning, followed by a good oral hygiene regimen. With proper brushing and flossing, you can be disease free in as little as a week!
Untreated gingivitis will progress to periodontitis. If the plaque is left undisturbed, it will calcify creating “tarter” or calculus. The calculus can form below or above the gums [sub or supra]. The calculus is very irritating to the gums and causes a great deal of swelling and inflammation. More important is that bacteria continue to collect on the calculus releasing toxins which breakdown the supporting tissues around your teeth. This includes the bone holding your roots in place. As you lose bone, your teeth loosen and if not treated, will eventually require extraction.
The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria found in dental plaque. However, there are additional risk factors that you should be aware of. 1. Smoking [could be the greatest risk factor] 2. Poor nutrition 3. Pregnancy and Puberty 4. Medications 5. Stress 6. Diabetes 7. Clenching and grinding your teeth 8. Immune diseases
Anyone who has any of these risk factors should take additional steps to protect their teeth and gums. I recommend professional cleanings 3-4 times a year. By doing this, I can monitor your oral hygiene and catch any problem areas before they progress. You raised the question of costs; root planning is not a routine polishing that one might have done every six months in conjunction with their check-up. Full mouth root planning is an extremely labor intensive procedure and generally will be preformed in two appointments, each appointment approximately two hours in length. I don’t think the $1050 fee you were quoted was out of line for four hours of office time.
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