Both annoying and painful, mouth sores can also be a symptom of a disease or disorder. Any mouth sore that lasts a week or longer should be examined. Among the most common are:

Canker sores: Small ulcers with a white or gray base and a red border. Unlike cold sores, canker sores appear inside the mouth. They are not contagious but their exact cause is uncertain. Some experts believe that immune system problems, bacteria or viruses may be involved. Fatigue, stress or allergies can increase the likelihood of a canker sore. A cut caused by biting the cheek or tongue, or reactions from hot foods or beverages may contribute to canker sore development. Intestinal problems, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, also seem to make some people more susceptible. Canker sores usually heal on their own after a week or so. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics, steroid preparations, and antimicrobial mouth rinses can provide temporary relief.

Cold sores: Also called fever blisters or Herpes simplex, these are groups of fluid-filled blisters that occur outside the mouth. Cold sores typically erupt around the lips, under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores caused by herpes virus type 1 are very contagious. Herpes lesions look like multiple tiny fluid-filled blisters that are most common around the edge of the lips. An outbreak may follow a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions or emotional upset. Cold sore blisters usually heal in a week by themselves. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide some relief. Prescription antiviral drugs may reduce the duration of these kinds of viral infections.

Leukoplakia: A thick, whitish-color patch that forms on the inside of cheeks, gums or tongue. These patches are caused by excess cell growth and common with tobacco users. They can result from irritations such as an ill-fitting denture or chewing on the inside of the cheek. A danger is that leukoplakia can progress to cancer. If suspected, a painless oral cancer screening will be performed to determine the need for a biopsy.

If you have a mouth sore that does not clear up on its own in two weeks, please contact us immediately for an examination.

The American Dental Association (ADA) reported results of a national survey that revealed the smile outranks eyes, hair and body as the most attractive physical feature. However, the survey also revealed that men and women differ when it comes to the care of their teeth and gums. The survey of Americans ages 18 and older found 86% of females brush their teeth twice or more a day compared to only 66% of males.

Sadly, all Americans need to do a better job of flossing teeth. Just half of those surveyed (49%) say they floss daily. And, 1 out of 3 surveyed think that blood in the sink after brushing is normal and were unaware this is a sign of periodontal (gum) disease.

Oral health is an important part of overall health, for men just as much as for women. Regular dental check-ups are important, not only to treat gum disease and cavities, but because some diseases or medical conditions, such as oral cancer, have symptoms that can appear in the mouth.

If you haven’t seen a dentist in over a year (whether you’re male or female!), call (828) 274-9440 to arrange a consultation and discuss treatment to restore your mouth to a healthy state.

Close to 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year. These cancers kill roughly 1 person every hour, 24 hours per day. Of those, only 57% are estimated to be living 5 years from now. The death rate for oral cancer is one of the worst of all cancers. It is higher than cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, laryngeal cancer, cancer of the testes, thyroid cancer, or skin cancer (malignant melanoma).

The American Cancer Society states that oral and oropharyngeal cancers occur most often in the following sites:
• Tongue (about 25% to 30%)
• Tonsils (about 15% to 20%)
• Salivary glands (about 10% to 15%)
• The rest occur in the lips, gums, floor of the mouth, and other sites.

Although new cases have been dropping over the past few decades, a recent rise has been seen in throat cancers related to HPV (human papilloma virus) in white males under age 50. The average age of most people diagnosed with these cancers is 62, but about a third occur in patients younger than 55.

The death rate for these cancers has seen a slight decrease since the late 1970s. Unfortunately, some symptoms do not emerge until the cancer has reached an advanced stage, or symptoms may be similar to those caused by something as simple as a toothache. For example, an early sign may be a white or red patch of tissue in the mouth. Because tissue changes in your mouth are normal, symptoms can mimic a bite on the inside of your cheek.

Any change to oral tissue that does not heal within 14 days should be examined without delay. Symptoms also include:
• white or red patch of tissue
• lesion in the mouth
• a lump or mass inside the mouth or neck
• difficulty or discomfort when swallowing
• persistent sore throat
• any wart-like masses
• numbness in the oral/facial region

Lesions or discolorations that are early warning signs are not always visible, particularly in the back portion of the mouth (the oropharynx, the tonsils, and base of tongue), which can be an obstacle to early discovery. This is another reason that regular oral hygiene exams and cleanings are so important. During these times, your dentist and hygienist look for unusual changes in the mouth that can indicate a problem. Although you should never wait until your scheduled appointment to have anything unusual examined. Early treatment is key to survival.