Apthous ulcers are a common condition that affects up to a quarter of all Americans. The sores can be uncomfortable and cause problems with eating and drinking. They can last a while too which is why we are offering a fast, effective treatment for them.

Apthous ulcers

An apthous ulcer is a recurrent ulcer that keeps coming back no matter what you try to do to prevent it. They appear in the mouth, usually around the loose tissue of the palate (roof of the mouth), inner cheek or inside the lips. They are small, less than 1cm in diameter and usually have a red halo around the outside.

While minor, apthous ulcers can expose nerves to the outside, causing discomfort whenever you open or move your mouth. This has an obvious effect on eating, drinking and even talking. The specific cause of apthous ulcers is still unknown but we think it is linked to poor diet, stress, acidic food, trauma or sensitivities to certain chemicals.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment has proven very effective at tackling apthous ulcers. Often referred to as ‘biomodulation’, laser treatment is able to suppress certain conditions and is now a widely practiced medical procedure. One that Aesthetic Family Dentistry is also pleased to offer.

By applying a special medical-grade laser to the apthous ulcer, we can treat the virus that causes the ulcer. Relief is immediate and the ulcer will disappear in around 48-72 hours. Better still, once treated, reoccurrence is much less frequent.

Laser treatment for apthous ulcers only takes a couple of minutes, is completely painless and needs no anesthesia. Recovery is almost instantaneous. We can also treat the ulcer in the formative stages, when it is tingling rather than already apparent so can stop it appearing altogether. As you can imagine, it is a very popular procedure!

This treatment is often covered by your medical insurance too. If not, it is very affordable considering how effective it is.

Laser treatment for apthous ulcers is just the kind of treatment we as holistic dentists favor. It is fast, effective, painless and is very targeted without harming the body. Recovery is fast and it needs no sedation or medication. It fulfills most of our criteria for a very effective treatment. If feedback from our patients is anything to go by, it works well too!

If you suffer from recurring canker sores or would like to know more about laser treatment for apthous ulcers, contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry today.

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Reduce acidic food and drink in your diet

Our diets have a huge influence on our overall health. As a holistic dentist, Aesthetic Family Dentistry are interested in your entire wellbeing not just your dental health. With that in mind, we would definitely advocate reducing acidic food and drink from your diet.

Acidic foods include soda, citrus fruits, beef, bread, cocoa, fruit juice alcohol, lobster, pasta, seafood, sugar, coffee, ketchup, mustard, oats, olives and many more.

Many of these foods are very good for you, so we would suggest eating them in moderation and at mealtimes. That way, you can brush your teeth a short while afterwards. This will drastically lower your chances of developing dental erosion.

Drinking quickly

Swilling or holding a drink in your mouth can speed up tooth erosion. That’s especially true if you drink acidic drinks such as coffee, fruit juice, soda or alcohol. It’s best to swallow quickly once taken in or use a straw to reduce tooth exposure.

Eating dairy products

An unlikely ally in the fight against tooth erosion is milk and cheese. Both help lower the acid levels in the mouth to a much more manageable degree. If it suits your lifestyle, eating some good quality cheese or drinking a little milk after a meal containing acidic foods lowers the pH levels in the mouth, helping control erosion.

Chewing gum

Chewing gum is a long established dental tool for controlling dental erosion. Use sugar-free gum that has xylitol as an ingredient for maximum effect. Chew regularly throughout the day, especially after eating or drinking anything acidic. Chewing gum helps stimulate saliva production which will protect your teeth. It also helps remove food from gaps in your teeth which is an added bonus.

Wait until you brush

We mentioned earlier about brushing your teeth after a meal. Ideally, you would wait around an hour before brushing your teeth to get the most out of this. It may seem counterproductive, but this delay allows your teeth to remineralize before brushing. We know this helps prevent acid erosion.

Drink water throughout the day

As we have established, saliva is a key ingredient in preventing tooth erosion and we want to stimulate it as much as possible. Saliva needs water in order to work, so you need to give your body what it needs throughout the day. Water is essential for all our bodily functions from thinking to walking, digesting to regeneration, so drinking enough water is key. Drink several glasses of water throughout the day for maximum benefit.

If you would like to know more about cosmetic dentistry, and live in Denville, Dover, Morristown, Morris Plains, Mountain Lakes, Randolph, Rockaway contact Aesthetic Family Dentistry for free consultation!

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Tooth, acid or dental erosion is the gradual reduction of tooth enamel caused by acids within our bodies and our diet. When that protective enamel is too thin or too worn the dentin underneath is exposed which can cause discomfort and discoloration.

What is tooth enamel?

Tooth enamel is a thin, hard coating that protects the teeth. It is the hardest tissue in the human body, designed to protect our teeth from acid and daily use. The layer is thin and translucent, allowing the white dentin to show through that gives your teeth their white color.

Even though tooth enamel is tough, it is still susceptible to wear, chips, cracks and acid.

Where does this acid come from?

The acids that cause tooth erosion come from acidic foods and your stomach. When you eat certain foods acid is left behind which can soften the enamel and remove minerals from it. Saliva automatically lowers the pH level of the mouth and helps remineralize the teeth.

Acid can also come from the gut. If you suffer from acid reflux, stomach acids make their way into the mouth which can also attack tooth enamel.

Is it just acid that causes tooth erosion?

No it isn’t just acid. Daily use and abrasion can contribute towards dental erosion. As can bruxism or grinding the teeth. If you bite something hard, this can cause abfraction, which are small fractures within the enamel. Certain medications can also weaken or erode tooth enamel.

How will I know my teeth are eroding?

There are several symptoms of dental erosion. They include sensitive teeth, discoloration, shiny teeth, cracked or chipped teeth and indentations on the tooth. If you begin suffering from discomfort in the teeth, they become sensitive to heat or cold, they become shiner for no reason or you crack or chip a tooth, it’s important to visit us here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry as soon as possible.

What can be done to treat tooth erosion?

To treat tooth erosion, we first find out what’s causing it. If the cause is dietary, we can advise on low acid alternatives to foods and drinks. If acid reflux is the cause, we can make a referral to a physician. If you suffer from bruxism or tooth grinding, we can help directly with that. We can also address chips, cracks and indentations.

If we catch dental erosion early enough, we can use dental bonding to protect the area from further damage. If the erosion is further advanced, we may suggest a crown or other dental procedure to protect the tooth. Much depends on the individual and how serious the issue is. It’s something we would discuss at the consultation.

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