General Dentistry Archives - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

November 12, 2015 by

I just can’t taste food like I used to. The taste seems to either be faint or not there at all. Sometimes I don’t know that my taste is faint or gone until I start eating. It can last a few minutes to several hours. I don’t have sinus problems that I know of. One thing that I did notice though is that the problem started shortly after I got porcelain veneers. I am wondering if there is something about the porcelain in my mouth or the process of getting them that could have triggered my loss of taste. Is this a known problem with people who get porcelain veneers? If so why didn’t the dentist tell me about it first? This is something that would have made me think twice about getting veneers. Thanks. Danielle.

Danielle – Porcelain veneers are not related to loss or impaired taste. Although you started having problems with your sense of taste after you received veneers, the problem is related to other causes.

What causes loss of, or impaired, taste?

Some of the causes are listed below.

Ear infections and upper respiratory infections
Certain prescription medications or chemicals
Sinus and allergy issues
Hormonal disturbances
Radiation therapy of the head or neck
Trauma to your head
Poor oral hygiene
Genetics
Smoking
Age – many senior citizens experience loss of taste as they age (60+).

What should be done about impaired or lost taste?

You can get help from your medical doctor and a specialist to determine what is causing your taste to be impaired. An otolaryngologist (ENT) specializes in disorders of the ear, nose, and throat. A dentist can order tests that can help determine the cause of the issue. Your medical doctor and dentist can refer you to the right specialists to help you receive an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment. Of course, the treatment recommendations, will depend on the cause of the issue.

When you lose your taste, it can cause you to eat too much or too little. You can also use too much salt or sugar on your food, which can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Your overall health can be affected, so it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley. Find out why Dr. Hurley has been voted a top NJ dentist since 2005!

October 13, 2015 by

Wait a minute. That’s a loaded question. What do diabetes, dentures, and your stomach (?) have to do with each other? We need a little clarification, don’t we? Let’s start with stomatitis. Stoma is a Greek word that means mouth or opening. Words that end in “itis” refer to inflammation. So denture stomatitis is inflammation and soreness in the mouth that can be aggravated by wearing dentures. The result is irritated and very red oral tissue beneath your dentures.

In 2013, a study published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry showed that people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to experience oral inflammation beneath their dentures than people who don’t have diabetes at all. 61% of type 2 diabetes patients were affected, while only 38% of non-diabetic denture wearers in the study had denture stomatitis.

What does all of this mean if you have diabetes and wear dentures?

You may know that diabetes increases your risk of skin and tissue irritation. Gum tissue is at risk also—particularly when dentures rub against your gums and irritate them.

So what can you do about it?

Ensure that you only receive custom dentures that fit properly and don’t irritate your gum tissue. If your dentures rest directly on your gums, it increases the chances of irritation.
Some patients choose dental implants, which are surgically implanted in the jawbone to support dentures and prevent them from resting on your gums. But not everyone can afford dental implants, and not all patients are candidates for them.
Good oral hygiene helps. Keep your mouth and your dentures clean. Whenever possible, rinse your mouth and dentures after meals to remove food debris. If food is left on or beneath your dentures, it can lead to bacteria and an infection. Smoking can also irritate your gums, and it encourages yeast infection in your mouth. Brush your dentures, mouth, tongue, and the roof of your mouth daily.
Don’t wear your dentures while you sleep. Instead, soak them in fresh water or denture-soaking solution. Your saliva production decreases while you sleep, which increases the chances of bacteria and plaque buildup on your dentures.
Drink plenty of water. It will keep your mouth moist and help wash away acid and bacteria from food that may otherwise collect in your mouth.
Keep your regularly scheduled dental appointments. Although you may not have natural teeth that need to be cleaned, a thorough examination by your dentist can result in early detection of any oral health issues that may be developing. Inform your dentist right away if you experience any irritation in your mouth or around your dentures.

Denture stomatitis is not automatic for people with diabetes. Insist on quality dentures that fit well, maintain good oral hygiene and how, and cooperate with your dentist to ensure that you maintain good oral health.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

February 11, 2015 by

It’s your teeth, for goodness sake, why does a dentist need to know what medications you take? Why is he or she asking about antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication? Is your dentist crossing the line in asking about the prescriptions received from your medical doctor? The short answer: “No.”

The blood clotting process has two phases:

Platelet bonding – These small red blood cells stick together and adhere to blood vessels to slow down the flow of blood.
Coagulation – Protein chemicals in the blood interact, fill in the gaps between the clumps of platelets, and form a strong clot to help the bleeding process stop.

The purpose of antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication

Antiplatelet agents – These agents prevent the first phase—platelet bonding.
Anticoagulant agents – These agents prevent the second phase—the formation of protein chemicals that give the clumps of platelets a stronger bond.

How can these medications affect dental procedures?

Many dental procedures can cause bleeding. In the vast majority of cases, bleeding is minimal, even when patients are taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication. Your dentist or oral surgeon will take into consideration the risks of performing a particular procedure while the medication is in your bloodstream versus performing the procedure when you have not taken the medication.

Some dental procedures that can cause bleeding are:

Regular and deep dental cleaning
Tooth extraction
Dental implant placement
Biopsies
Periodontal (gum surgery)

This must be handled on a case-by-case basis. In some cases, discontinuing the medication is very dangerous. You should not automatically stop taking your medication before a dental procedure without the advice or your medical doctor or dentist. Always keep your dentist informed of your list of medications and herbal supplements.

Precautions

Your dentist will take precautions to minimize bleeding and give you instructions for aftercare that will help prevent excessive bleeding. Follow the instructions closely. For example, after surgical treatment, you will be advised to avoid smoking, drinking from a straw, spitting, and rinsing your mouth for at least the first 24 hours. Sharp, sticky, and hard foods should be avoided because they can aggravate an oral surgical site and dislodge blood clots.

Ensure that your medical doctor and dentist are aware of medical prescriptions and herbal supplements that you take. Some herbal-based products can interfere with—or enhance—the effects of antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication.

If you are prescribed any new medication, ensure that the provider of the new medication and the provider of the antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication are both aware of all the medications prescribed to you.

Keep your dentist informed of any changes in your medication and herbal supplements.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

March 31, 2014 by

I got my tooth pulled yesterday afternoon at an emergency dentist and the hole is still bleeding. Should it still be bleeding or is something wrong? Do I need to try to stop it? – M.L.

M.L. – Bleeding at the tooth extraction site is normal for the first day or two. You may have some fluid oozing from the site also. Keep a small piece of gauze on the site, which will absorb the blood and apply pressure to help stop the bleeding. You can also gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water. The bleeding will eventually stop on its own.

During the first 48 hours, limit your activity. Also avoid drinking through a straw, because it can cause the blood clot to dislodge.

If the bleeding increases, or if it continues after 48 hours, call your dentist.

This post is sponsored by top New Jersey dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.