Understanding Oral Health Issues: Tongue Sores and Mucosal Concerns
Oral issues. Tongue ulcer. Oral mucosa? Hello, Director: My grandmother has just turned 79 years old. Around November last year, she often felt a dryness in her mouth. I believe this is because she is afraid of frequently using the restroom, so she only drinks about 500 to 600 cc...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Mr. Hsieh: In cases of dry mouth, it is easy for bacterial or fungal infections to occur. Additionally, if elderly individuals have chronic systemic diseases that lead to weakened immunity, this situation can recur. It is recommended to drink more water or use mouthwash, bu...[Read More] Understanding Oral Health Issues: Tongue Sores and Mucosal Concerns
Understanding Osteoporosis Risks in Dental Surgery for Seniors
Osteoporosis and its Risks in Dental Surgery Hello Doctor, my mother, who is about 64 years old, had her teeth extracted due to severe decay and wishes to get a full set of dentures. Six months ago, during a follow-up visit, the doctor mentioned that there was bone growth in the ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Lisa: The medications used for osteoporosis, whether oral or injectable, can suppress the new bone metabolism over time, leading to bones filled with old bone tissue. If a patient undergoes dental surgery, this may result in osteonecrosis or delayed wound healing. It is adv...[Read More] Understanding Osteoporosis Risks in Dental Surgery for Seniors
Do You Need a Follow-Up After Dental Filling? Understanding Your Options
Do I need to have a follow-up appointment after getting a cavity filled? Dear Doctor, previously, I had a small corner of my lower right second molar that chipped off. The dentist assessed that I needed to have my impacted wisdom tooth extracted before any treatment could be done...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Dear Miss Chen Yi-Ting: To determine whether the chipped corner is caused by tooth decay, it is important to assess if there is any softening or bacterial infection present in the tooth. If decay is present, it must be thoroughly cleaned before proceeding with either a temporar...[Read More] Do You Need a Follow-Up After Dental Filling? Understanding Your Options
Concerns About Biting Food After Root Canal Treatment: What to Know
Observation of the tooth undergoing root canal treatment? During the observation period of my root canal treatment, I accidentally bit down on bread a couple of times with the affected tooth. I have been very careful not to use the tooth that hasn't been covered with a crown...
Dr. Lin Jiayong Reply:
Hello: Although the tooth undergoing root canal treatment does not have pulp nerves, it still has periodontal blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, if the affected tooth has cracks or other inflammatory infections, you may still experience sensation, so there is no need to worry t...[Read More] Concerns About Biting Food After Root Canal Treatment: What to Know
Understanding Oral Health: White Bumps and HPV Concerns
Oral issues Hello, doctor. There is a small white blister under the gums behind my front teeth. It doesn't hurt and is not very noticeable, but I can feel it when my tongue touches it. I would like to know if this could be HPV. Additionally, if I have been vaccinated, is it ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Mr. J: It is recommended to consult a dentist or an oral surgeon for further examination. If there is an HPV infection of the oral mucosa, in addition to the presence of blisters on the oral mucosa, there may also be symptoms such as fever and swollen, painful gums. Therefo...[Read More] Understanding Oral Health: White Bumps and HPV Concerns
Understanding Gum Swelling: Causes, Treatments, and When to Extract Teeth
Gum swelling Hello, doctor. I would like to ask about my tooth decay, which has progressed very deep, and now my gums are swollen. I have seen a dentist who prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, but the swelling did not go down. I went to the emergency department of a large ho...
Dr. Huang Tingfang Reply:
Dear Ms. Liang: Hello! I have two questions! 1. Is the cavity too deep, having eroded to the nerve, causing the nerve to become necrotic and infected, resulting in swelling? 2. Does this tooth have periodontal disease, leading to severe infection and swelling? Treatment is possib...[Read More] Understanding Gum Swelling: Causes, Treatments, and When to Extract Teeth
Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care: Managing Pain and Infection Risks
Post-operative issues after wisdom tooth extraction? Hello, last Friday (Day 1) I had my impacted wisdom tooth extracted in the morning. Since the bleeding didn't seem excessive, the doctor did not place any stitches. The doctor prescribed a five-day course of Amoxicillin. A...
Dr. Huang Tingfang Reply:
Dear Mr. Daniel, Hello! If the wound is not sutured, the opening will be larger, and it is normal for blood clots to dislodge easily. Therefore, please pay attention to oral hygiene—brush your teeth normally but avoid brushing the wound. You can use mouthwash or saline solution....[Read More] Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care: Managing Pain and Infection Risks
Urgent Dental Issues: Understanding Gum Pain and Tooth Decay
Urgent - Gum Issues Hello, doctor. I have two cavities in the back of my upper teeth that are down to just a little bit left. My current symptoms are as follows: 1. The gums around the affected teeth are swollen and painful, and this has lasted for over two days. I feel like the ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Ms. Mei: 1. It may be due to severe cavities causing periodontal inflammation. 2. It is recommended to see a dentist immediately to prevent the residual root infection from progressing to cellulitis. 3. Extraction of the severely decayed tooth may be necessary to eliminate ...[Read More] Urgent Dental Issues: Understanding Gum Pain and Tooth Decay
Swollen Gums After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Causes and Recovery Tips
After wisdom tooth extraction and suture removal, the gums may be swollen and can be lifted? Hello, after having my impacted wisdom tooth removed, I noticed that the stitches wrapped around the area between my first and second molars. Once the stitches were removed, I found that ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Chen: After wisdom tooth extraction, if the gums remain red, swollen, and inflamed, it indicates that there is still inflammation or infection at the extraction site. It is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene. If you continue to experience pain or discomfort, please s...[Read More] Swollen Gums After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Causes and Recovery Tips
How to Properly Clean Your Occlusal Splint: Tips and Guidelines
Cleaning issues with occlusal splints? I have researched a lot and asked the doctor during my follow-up visit, but I'm still unclear about how to clean my occlusal splint. I now know that I shouldn't use toothpaste because it can wear down the splint. I need to use a so...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Li Qiuchiu: Theoretically, using denture cleaning tablets to soak dentures or occlusal splints daily can achieve a cleaning effect, but it may incur higher costs for the cleaning tablets. Therefore, if you regularly remove your dentures and occlusal splints after meals to c...[Read More] How to Properly Clean Your Occlusal Splint: Tips and Guidelines
Can Untreated Root Canal Issues Lead to Oral Cancer?
Will untreated root canal disease lead to oral cancer? Hello Doctor, 1. Recently, my dentist informed me that one of my teeth, which has previously undergone root canal treatment, has developed a pathological condition in the root. The tooth has a secondary cavity and the root ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Ms. M: 1. A root canal treatment that leads to a reinfection at the apex of the tooth root and decay does not result in oral cancer, but it is still advisable to seek treatment promptly to prevent the infection from spreading. 2. If the difficulty of retreating the root can...[Read More] Can Untreated Root Canal Issues Lead to Oral Cancer?
How to Manage Tooth Pain and Inflammation After Biting Down on Bone
Tooth fracture caused by biting down on hard bone? Hello, doctor. A few days ago, while eating barbecue, I bit into a small bone and cracked my tooth down to the root, approximately 3 to 5 mm deep. It is currently inflamed and painful, but I cannot address it immediately. What sh...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Mr. Lin: It is recommended to first clean the area thoroughly, use mouthwash for disinfection, and take antiseptic pain relief medication. It is advisable to seek treatment from a dentist as soon as possible. If the decay has reached the root of the tooth, extraction may be...[Read More] How to Manage Tooth Pain and Inflammation After Biting Down on Bone
Understanding Dental Equipment Sterilization: What Patients Need to Know
Instrument sterilization 1. Regarding the X-ray equipment commonly used at the dentist's office, such as the XCP ring, crocodile clips, and bite blocks: a. Are these three items disposable? b. If they are not disposable, what method is used for disinfection and steriliza...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Dear Mr. Chih-Hung, 1. The plastic ring used in the X-ray is not disposable; however, it is sent for EO (ethylene oxide) sterilization after each patient's use. This is because plastic products are not resistant to high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization. If the pl...[Read More] Understanding Dental Equipment Sterilization: What Patients Need to Know
Understanding Dental Suction Devices: Safety, Sterilization, and Usage
Instrument disinfection I saw two types of suction devices while visiting the dentist. Later, I found out online that one is called water suction (a bendable, transparent type that hangs in the patient's mouth), and the other is called high power suction (a strong suction de...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello Akai: The flexible transparent saliva suction tube is disposable, while the high-power saliva suction tube is sterilized through high temperature and pressure, packaged individually, and then reused. Of course, the plastic material should be discarded after being deformed d...[Read More] Understanding Dental Suction Devices: Safety, Sterilization, and Usage
Understanding Retreatment: Managing Pain After Root Canal Therapy
Secondary root canal treatment Hello, Dr. Huang. I underwent root canal treatment in July. There were no issues with the tooth while eating, but it hurts when I tap on it. The doctor advised me to observe it for two weeks, but the pain persisted. After another two weeks of observ...
Dr. Huang Tingfang Reply:
Dear Anonymous, Hello! This doctor is quite excellent and very patient! 1. If the outside is sealed properly, there will be no infection! 2. There may be temporary discomfort after root canal treatment, but it will gradually subside! 3. It will not decay! Just avoid keeping...[Read More] Understanding Retreatment: Managing Pain After Root Canal Therapy
Severe Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Is It Infection or Dry Socket?
It's the sixth day after my wisdom tooth extraction, and I have a severe headache! Hello doctor, I had my lower left wisdom tooth extracted on October 12th, and on October 17th, I suddenly experienced severe pain in my left temple, as well as pain in the area of my cheek whe...
Dr. Huang Tingfang Reply:
Dear Ms. Jiang: Hello! It is best to visit a major hospital! Please brush your teeth thoroughly first! Take care! Wishing you peace and smoothness in everything! Sincerely, Dr. Huang Ting-Fang, Dentistry.[Read More] Severe Pain After Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Is It Infection or Dry Socket?
Is Delaying Root Canal Treatment Safe? Risks and Recommendations
Root canal treatment I went to Clinic A for root canal treatment on September 24 due to sudden tooth pain. Since it was an emergency, I registered on-site and waited for treatment. By the time it was my turn, Clinic A was almost closing, so the procedure was done quickly. The doc...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello, Penguin: The first root canal treatment involves opening the pulp chamber and placing medication for disinfection as an emergency procedure. If there is a long wait for the appointment and you are concerned about a recurrence, you can monitor for any symptoms of acute pain...[Read More] Is Delaying Root Canal Treatment Safe? Risks and Recommendations
Understanding Oral Health: Mouthwash, Tongue Coating, Bad Breath, and Dry Mouth
Mouthwash, tongue coating, bad breath, dry mouth? Hello, Director: 1. I have been using alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash by Li X De Lin, and the next morning after use, I notice a white film on my teeth. Previously, I read that you mentioned this could be due to inadequate ...
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello, students: 1. If you have been using mouthwash long-term and maintaining thorough oral hygiene, yet still have a coated tongue, you should consider the possibility of an oral candidiasis infection. It is advisable to consult a dentist for further examination. 2. If you ...[Read More] Understanding Oral Health: Mouthwash, Tongue Coating, Bad Breath, and Dry Mouth
Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Swelling and Black Spots Concerns
Oral health issues After having my wisdom teeth removed and the stitches taken out, I noticed that my mouth feels swollen when I bite down, and I later discovered small black spots. Is there something wrong?
Dr. Zeng Guanghui Reply:
Hello, Zhang Xiaohui: After having your wisdom teeth removed and the stitches taken out, you noticed that your mouth feels swollen and there are small black spots. This may indicate an infection at the extraction site. It is recommended that you return to the dentist for an exami...[Read More] Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction: Swelling and Black Spots Concerns
Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care: Managing Pain and Preventing Infection
Wisdom Tooth Wound Care Hello, Doctor: I had my upper wisdom tooth extracted last Friday (August 14), and I have stitches. The doctor prescribed me medication for three days, but I won't be able to have the stitches removed until the 25th. Is there a concern about the wound ...
Dr. Huang Tingfang Reply:
Hello Mr. Lin: After tooth extraction, it is important to keep the wound clean to prevent infection. When using mouthwash, it is recommended to choose one that is alcohol-free to avoid excessive irritation of the wound. Take care! Wishing you a smooth and safe recovery! Sincerely...[Read More] Post-Wisdom Tooth Extraction Care: Managing Pain and Preventing Infection