Dental Conditions Flashcards
Symptoms of teething
gum redness swelling tenderness drooling rubbing the gum irritability crying etc.
NOT symptoms of teething
fever
diarrhea
vomiting
common cold symptoms
Non-pharmacological treatment of teething
- rub baby’s gums
- cool affected area
- wipe baby’s drool with cloth to prevent rashes from developing
Pharmacological treatment of teething
Oral analgesics:
- acetaminophen
- ibuprofen
Dose for acetaminophen
10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 4 to 6 hours PRN
max dose = 65-75 mg/kg/day
Dose for ibuprofen
5 to 10 mg/kg/dose every 6 to 8 hours PRN
max dose = 40 mg/kg/day
When do you refer?
if no relief with treatment after 3-5 days
How long to topical anesthetics provide relief for?
max of 45 mins
What is the potential harm caused by topical anesthetics for teething?
if baby swallows some, it can numb their throat/gag reflex
Would you ever recommend a topical anesthetic for teething?
personally, no
a oral analgesic is much more effective for pain relief, provides longer duration and does not pose the certain health risks that topical anesthetic does
What can a toothache be caused by?
- cracked tooth syndrome - abrupt pain with biting, resolves with removal of pressure
- this requires referral to dentist
- post-dental procedure discomfort
Toothache treatment options for temporary relief until dentist can be seen include:
- oral analgesics: NSAIDS, acetaminophen
- local anesthetics: benzocaine
Is a local anesthetic still an issue for adults?
yes - can numb throat and you may burn yourself without even knowing it
AGAIN - local anesthetic is not the best choice
Dentin hypersensitivity = ?
sensitive teeth
Describe dentin hypersensitivity
short, quick, sharp dental pain due to exposure to a stimulus (thermal, chemical, osmotic or physical) on exposed dentin
Is a dental referral necessary for dentin hypersensitivity?
yes - to determine the underlying cause
Non-pharmacological treatment for tooth hypersensitivity
- soft-bristled toothbrush
- proper tooth brushing
- reduce acidic foods and drinks
- avoid brushing within 2 hours after acidic foods/drinks
Pharmacological treatment for tooth hypersensitivity
-desensitizing toothpaste works by blocking the repolarization of the nerve fibre membranes thereby decreasing the pain
most common = potassium nitrate
product examples include: sensodyne F, crest pro-health, colgate sensitivity
Is using a potassium nitrate a long-term or short-term treatment?
long-term because you have to continuously use the product to continuously block the repolarization of nerve fibres
oral candidiasis known as?
oral thrush
oral stomatitis
oral candidiasis (thrush) most commonly caused by ?
C. Albans
There are 2 major forms of oropharyngeal candidiasis:
1) pseudomembranous form
2) atrophic form
describe them
1) the pseudomembranous form is the most common and appears as white plaques on oral mucosa
2) the atrophic form (denture stomatitis) appears as erythema without plaque. common in elderly with dentures
1 - plaque
2 - no plaque
Are the white plaques removable?
yes
Risk factors for oral candidiasis
- diseases that affect immune system (diabetes, HIV)
- medications that suppress immune system (chemo)
- xerostomia (dry mouth/lack of saliva)
- use of corticosteroids (either systemic or inhaled)
- recent use of broad spectrum antibiotics
- infants and children - put things in their mouths
- local mucosal trauma
- poor dental or denture hygiene
- pregnant women
- smokers