A new study published in Neurology discusses how migraine sufferers who experience reduced stress from one day to the next are at an increased risk on a migraine attack. Migraine is a chronic condition that affects millions of Americans. Numerous triggers are believed to contribute to a migraine attack.

In the study the researchers at the Montefiore Headache Center and Einstein College of Medicine conducted a three month electronic daily diary study which recorded over 2,000 diary records and 110 migraine attacks in 17 participants.  The study compared levels of stress and reduction in stress as possible headache predictors.

The study found an association between reduction in perceived stress and the occurrence of migraine headaches. The results were found to be strongest during the first six hours where decline in stress associated with a five fold increased risk of migraine attack. The hormone cortisol rises during times of stress and reduces pain which may contribute to the headache attack during relaxation.

In the diary participants recorded information about their migraine attacks, stress ratings, hours of sleep, foods eaten, drinks and alcohol consumed, and information about their menstrual cycle.

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Migraine attacks can increase after a stress let down

An interesting article titled “Non-Endoscopic Deactivation of Nerve Triggers in Migraine Headache Patients,” appears in the 2014 issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery written by Lisa Gfrerer and et. al. The article describes a method to screen and select patients for a surgical migraine treatment technique used by plastic and reconstructive surgeons. The surgery decompresses nerves that trigger migraines.

The surgery used is stated to be an alternative to an endoscopic approach used which works down from the scalp under the skin as the other approach is not always suitable. The surgery discussed involves incisions through the upper eyelid and the study demonstrated that this approach was equally as effective for the deactivation of nerves involved in migraine headaches.

In the study migraine headaches were completely eliminated in roughly 51% of the patients while around 20% of the patients experiencing an 80% reduction in their migraine symptoms. Close to 33% of all patients had between 50% and 80% all of their migraine symptoms resolved. A total of 35 patients were included in this study and all suffered from chronic nerve compressed migraine headaches. In order to confirm that all the patients did in fact have chronic nerve compressed migraine headaches, Botox or nerve treatments were utilized.

Since only 35 patients were included in this study, larger sample size studies are of course needed to better confirm the results. The main takeaway is that surgery appears to be useful and helpful for many patients who suffer from migraine headaches. Migraine headaches attack women more than men in the U.S. The headaches are also often with nausea and sensitivity to light and sounds.

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Reducing Migraines with Cosmetic Eyelid Surgery

Research appearing in the Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports have shown that lupus and other rheumatologic disorders can initially present as neurological disorders such as headaches and seizures which can lead to a few months of a delay in proper diagnosis. Rheumatologic diseases include autoimmune and inflammatory disorders of the joints and soft tissues, such as systemic vasculitis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylosis.

More than half of lupus patients have headaches and a third have migraines. Around 1.5% of lupus patients have a headache that is persistent, severe, and intractable and does not respond to narcotic medications. Up to 20% of lupus patients have seizures and 1/3 of lupus patients have cognitive dysfunction. Up to 20% of lupus patients experience mood disorders such as psychosis. Patients who have systemic vasculitis can have headaches, stroke like syndromes, seizures, and optic neuropathies. Around 1/3 of systemic vasculitis patients have residual neurological impairments and need treatment to suppress their immune systems.

Patients who have ankylosing spondylosis can experience seizures, cranial neuropathy, cognitive impairments, and headaches.

There are different treatment options for patients for rheumatic disorders. Medications can include immune-suppressing drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It is noted however that some medications can have neurological effects as a risk.

Source: Amre Nouh and et al. Neurology of Rheumatologic Disorders. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. issue 14, vol. 7, 2014.

According to research published in the journal Headache, meditation may help migraine headache sufferers. Researchers have known that stress can be a trigger for headaches but there hasn’t been a whole lot of research done to evaluate meditation and it’s benefits. The researchers set out to develop a study to assess the feasibility, safety,and effects of a yoga and meditation intervention known as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) in adults who suffer from migraines.

In the study 19 adults were randomly assigned to 2 groups with 10 of the adults receiving MBSR and 9 receiving standard medical care. The participants attended 8 weekly classes in order to learn MBSR techniques and were told to practice 45 minutes on their own 5 days per week.

The participants in the study were evaluated before and after the trial period using measures such as mindfulness, self-efficacy, and disability. The patients maintained headache logs throughout the trial to document how often the headaches occurred, how long they occurred, and the intensity. The researchers found that MBSR study participants had fewer migraines and when migraines occurred they were less intense. In addition, patients with MBSR had headaches that were shorter and less disabling when compared to patients who did not use MBSR. Further, the patients with MBSR treatment had no adverse effects and had increase mindfulness.

The MBSR participants had 1.4 fewer migraines per month when compared to patients who did not have MBSR. The headaches were also shorter in duration in MBSR patients. The study used a small sample of patients and was too small to detect any statistically significant changes in migraine for patients using MBSR. Studies in the future with larger sample sizes would help to better evaluate the impact of MBSR on adults with migraines. Even so MBSR is a safe option for those with migraine and could be used with medication or on it’s own as a treatment option to try for those headache sufferers.

An interesting article titled “Interictal, circulating sphingolipids in women with episodic migraine: A case-control study” written by B. L. Peterlin and et al. discusses that a new marker in blood may have been found for episodic migraine (Neurology, 2015). Episodic migraine is when a patient has less than 15 headaches per month.

The researchers performed a study with 52 women with episodic migraine and 36 women who did not have any headaches. They all had to undergo a neurologic exam, gave blood samples, and had their body mass index measured. The women in the study with migraine had an average of 5.6 headache days per month. The blood samples were tested for a group of lipids that are known to help regulate inflammation in the brain and participate in energy homeostasis.

The study found the total levels of lipids called ceramides were decreased in women with episodic migraine when compared to women with no migraines. It was found that women with migraine had approximately 6,000 nanograms per milliliter of total ceramides in their blood and women without headache had about 10,500 nanograms per milliliter. Each standard deviation increase in ceramide levels was found to be associated with over a 92% lower risk of having episodic migraine. The researchers also tested two other types of lipids in the blood called sphingomyelin and found them to be associated with a 2.5 times greater risk of migraine with each standard deviation increase.

The researchers explored the blood from a random small sample of 14 patients. From looking at a panel of lipids from these patients they were able to correctly identify those who had migraine or those who did not have migraine. The researchers noted only women were included in this study and patients with chronic migraine were not included. In addition other headache types were not included in this study. So more research is needed to confirm that these lipids in the blood allow one to tell if someone suffers from headaches or not.

An interesting chapter titled “Acquired neurocutaneous disorders” which appeared last year discusses how diseases that cause rashes and skin problems can trigger neuroglical conditions such as migraine headaches and strokes. The article was published in Handbook of Clinical Neurology by three authors affiliated with the Department of Neurology of Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

The authors say that a variety of neurological diseases have skin related manifestations that precede, coincide with or follow neurologic findings. A few of the diseases described in the article that cause both skin and neurological problems are:

Sjögren syndrome. Sjögren syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own tissues. The most common skin problem Sjögren syndrome causes is xerosis which causes dull, itchy skin with a fine, white bran-like scale. Neurologic problems caused by Sjögren syndrome include aphasia (inability to talk or understand speech), hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body), and chorea (jerky, involuntary movements).

Lupus. Lupus can affect multiple organs and can cause a range of neurologic and psychiatric problems, including stroke, migraine headaches, and anxiety. Women are 10 times more likely than men to have lupus and it occurs a lot during the reproductive years. Around 70% to 80% of lupus patients have skin rashes and rashes on areas exposed to sunlight.

Parry-Romberg syndrome. Parry-Romberg syndrome is a progressive disease where the skin and soft tissues on half the face, usually the left side, deteriorate. The affected eye and cheek becomes sunken and facial hair can turn white. In addition, skin becomes dark, with patches of white skin lacking pigmentation.The syndrome can cause  such neurological impairments as epilepsy, migraines, and cognitive impairment.

Source: Amre Nouh, Jodi Speiser, José Biller. Acquired neurocutaneous disorders. Handb Clin Neurol., Volume 132, 2015, pages 29-73.

Migraine headaches affect around 6 to 8% of males and 10 to 12% of females. It is one of the top five neurological conditions and costs people healthy lives. There is little research on how the current preventative treatments for migraine work. Researchers have speculated that the suppression of cortical spreading depression could be a process at play.

Typically migraine patients are given beta-blockers such as propranolol and metroprolol, anticonvulsants valproate and topiramate, and the calcium channel bocker flunarizine as first line medications. These drugs have been shown in randomized placebo controlled studies to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

A new treatment option could be placed in monoclonal antibodies that target a neuropeptide called CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide). CGRP plays is thought to play a key role in headaches. CGRP receptor antagonists have been developed for the treatment of acute migraine and prevention. The medication has proved effected but in some cases treatment had to be abandoned due to acute side effects, including increases of liver enzymes. This has caused CGRP receptor antagonists to have not been approved to date. Newer studies show that the new monoclonal antibody against CGRP, or its receptor, appears to cause less side effects. As such furthering developing this has a medication may be beneficial.

Another treatment for chronic migraine headaches is botulinum toxin type A. Chronic migraines are associated with a frequent incidence of headache, which leads to a lot of suffering in the individual affected. Botulinum toxin has had its beneficial effects proven in major studies and has demonstrated that it is effective in treating chronic migraines. I am hopeful that new medications can be developed to improve the quality of life of migraine suffers.

Researchers from Rutgers University have explored treating chronic neuropathic pain which affects over 1 million Americans. Neuropathic pain results when nerve damage is caused due to injury, surgery or a some disease. Researchers showed that pain could be reduced in animals when microglia brain cells are targeted which are supposed to provide immunity.

The researchers say that the microglia brain cells are supposed to be beneficial to the nervous system but in those with neuropathic pain these cells known as microglia have proliferated and instead become toxic. The researchers say that if they catch the injury within one to five days to inhibit microglia after nerve injury the development of chronic pain can be partially reversed.

Neuropathic pain persists after the nerve has healed and is often resistant to normal pain medications. In lab mice the researchers used chemotherapy drugs to prohibit the microglia brain immune cells from proliferating. This chemotherapy drug reduced the amount of pain the mice experienced after the injury occurred.

The researchers feel that minimizing microglial proliferation may be a novel approach for pain control. They hope that this could help lead to the development of more effective pain killers that can help control the pain.

As one who suffers from chronic pain it is interesting to see that researchers are making some progress on better understanding how to prevent and treat chronic pain. Since the researchers used chemotherapy drugs on the mice it is probably not likely similar results can be ethically tested with human patients.

References:

Jiyun Peng and et al. Microglia and monocytes synergistically promote the transition from acute to chronic pain after nerve injury. Nature Communications, 2016; 7: 12029.

Nan Gu and et al. Spinal Microgliosis Due to Resident Microglial Proliferation Is Required for Pain Hypersensitivity after Peripheral Nerve Injury. Cell Reports, 2016; 16 (3): 605.

New research shows that trace elements of lithium in drinking water may slow down death rates from Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, rates of diabetes and obesity also decrease if there is lithium in the drinking water. Usually when one hears about something in the drinking water it is in regard to fluoride or lead. For example see the post talking about how if fluoride in drinking water lowers intelligence at http://blog.teethremoval.com/fluoride-in-water-does-not-lower-intelligence/. Lead in drinking water was a problem for example in the Flint, Michigan, water crisis.

The researchers in this study collected statistics on various lithium levels in drinking water in 234 counties in the state of Texas. Texas was used for the data on lithium levels because the researchers said it was freely available. Lithium is a water-soluble alkali metal found in mineral springs and igneous rocks. Lithium is often used to treat bipolar and other mood disorders but of course at much higher doses than one would find present in drinking water. The research team compared lithium levels naturally found in tap water with Alzheimer’s disease mortality rates, the incidence of obesity, and the incidence of diabetes.

They found Texas counties that had above the median level of lithium in tap water (40 micrograms per litre) experienced less increases in Alzheimer’s disease death over time. They also found Texas counties below the median level of lithium in tap water had even higher increases in Alzheimer’s disease deaths over time. The frequency of obesity and Type 2 diabetes was found to go down when the drinking water contained similar lithium levels.

Previous studies have demonstrated lithium’s ability to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and diabetes. However, this research showed lithium’s potential protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, obesity, and diabetes may translate to the population setting through very low levels of lithium in tap water. An earlier study in 2017 from the University of Copenhagen linked high lithium levels in drinking water to decreases in dementia rates. So both of these studies combine may make one ask the question if lithium should be added to the drinking water. The researchers feel that it is too early to start advising authorities to add lithium to drinking water. Additional research must be conducted in order to convince policy-makers to look at the evidence and want to start supplementing tap water with lithium the same way as is often done with fluoride to prevent tooth decay. Of course beginning to quantify the amount of lithium more specifically to add to drinking water would be part of the additional research needed.

Source: Val Andrew Fajardo and et al., Examining the Relationship between Trace Lithium in Drinking Water and the Rising Rates of Age-Adjusted Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality in Texas, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 61, issue 1,2017.

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Medical students have the difficult task of learning through science and rigorous academic training to take care of others. Med students can suffer from many ailments including anxiety, stress or migraines or even worse. Being a doctor of any kind is quite simply about learning to make other people feel better, and it’s possible to heal your patient that’s the goal. Unfortunately, there are times when a patient doesn’t make it and that can feel devastating to a med student who is undergoing training, such as a resident. You are just learning and have a sense of optimism about the field. You want to help people, genuinely and seeing your patient die is a tragedy and can leave you feeling depressed.

According to The American Medical Student Association, med students are three times as likely to die by suicide than the rest of the general population. This figure is alarming; it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed in our society. Depression kills people and med students are among its victims.  That’s why it’s important as a med student to take actions to manage your mental health. Don’t neglect yourself when you are in the midst of helping others. Seeing traumatic incidents such as a person injured from a gunshot wound can be jarring and inevitably affect a med student’s mental health. Anyone would be impacted by this graphic image, but a med student’s goal is to help people and save lives. They are particularly vulnerable to these scenarios.

Self-care is imperative for those in the medical field and particularly medical students. One of the most helpful things a med student can do for their mental health is to see a therapist. There they can discuss their challenges and sort out if they are feeling depressed. Suicide prevention starts with mental health awareness. When you are aware of your feelings, you can fight against the dark intrusive lies that depression tells you. You can learn positive coping strategies such as reframing thoughts and using mindfulness to cope with difficult situations. If therapy isn’t enough, medications can be used to help treat depression. Med students are probably well aware of the benefits of medication for people living with depression and could be more open to treating their symptoms this way.

As a med student, you have an obligation to take care of yourself. This is important for a multitude of reasons; the most important being that you matter and the secondary reason is that you will be a more competent doctor when you do this. You can be there emotionally for your patients and give them the care that they need. Doctors save lives and as a med student, you have the chance to save your own life, don’t ignore that. Take care of yourself and be well so you can make others well too.

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If you are thinking about having any dental work done for yourself or your loved ones you should know that in many cases it is not without risk and can even be deadly. There are many cases of death occurring in dental offices over the years for both children and adults having dental procedures. The Dallas Morning News made an in depth piece exploring various issues surrounding death in the dental chair and the story indicated cover-up and not holding offenders accountable. The seven part piece was published in 2015 and is available at http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/index.html. It is a lengthy investigative piece, so you will need a fair amount of time to get through the entire story. For convience the links for each of the seven parts are also provided separately below.

Part 1 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part1.html

Part 2 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part2.html

Part 3 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part3.html

Part 4 (which has three parts in itself) 1:  http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part4-avoid.html  2: http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part4-prof.html 3: http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part4-boss.html

Part 5 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part5.html

Part 6 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part6.html

Part 7 http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2015/deadly-dentistry/part7.html

If you don’t have much time to get into all seven parts currently, I think part 2 is worth the read. Part 2 discusses how based on their work, they estimate that a dental patient dies about every other day in the United States of America. This is an estimate based on some data from Texas which had received at least 85 death reports since 2010. The team tried to receive data from every state in the U.S. but the majority told them they did not know the numbers and did not have a good way to count.

In Part 2 of the story, there is some discussion about how a sedation expert in Los Angeles tried to find out from California information about dental deaths but the Dental Board of California’s story changed about dental deaths as they got closer to releasing information. The expert is quoted as saying

“Hiding this imporant information is contrary to this very purpose. If we cannot identify where the problems or system breakdowns are occurring, how can we as both a profession and consumer agency prevent them?…It sure looks like they are trying to cover up something…If Dentist A has an issue and Dentist B says everything was done within the standard of care despite a poor outcome, then there is no discipline and the record is destroyed.”

The Dallas Morning News tried to find more information from the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners for its death and hospitalization statistics. However, the story also changed about dental deaths as they got closer to releasing information. They even went so far as to sue the Texas board but a judge ruled against them. In both cases it seems like records are destroyed fairly readily and any stringent laws to keep records on file for years and years are not present.

The story also goes into how some patients died for reasons unrelated to the dentists skills but from dental devices. In these cases the deaths are not often reported to state authorities.

In other parts of the story their are different cases of young children who died from a dentist profiled. There is also discussion about how in many of these cases the dentists are still allowed to practice and patients may not be aware of any restrictions their dentist faces. There is also an investigation into how well state agencies do informing the public. You can look up your state to see answers to questions such as if dentists are required to report any patient deaths and if they are any death statistics. There are also nine questions that are suggested that you ask before your next dental visit. These questions include “Are you brushing, flossing, getting regular checkups and generally doing your best to not need major dental work?,” “Have you checked out your dentist online,” and “Before treating or pulling a tooth, does your dentist verify that it’s the correct one?”

The story also covers some of the history of deadly dentistry since 1960. There is discussion of in the early 1990s how University of Texas at San Antonio dental researchers attempted a national study of states’ sedation-related death and injury reports but found most were not preserving records. They wrote,

“there are many states in which this information is deemed confidential and is restricted from public and professional scrutiny.”

There is also discussion of the 2000 Pediatrics study, which found that dentistry accounts for nearly half of the death and brain damage cases for sedation events in pediatric settings, which is highlighted over on the dental deaths page at http://www.teethremoval.com/dental_deaths.html. There is also discussion about how in dental school students generally do not study pain and anxiety management drugs or numbing injections and nitrous oxide gas. Dentists will often take a few extra days of training after graduating to learn how to administer more powerful drugs. These training programs of course are often criticized for not being enough to really train the dentist.

All in all, I am impressed with the piece by The Dallas Morning News and their attempt to help protect the public from future dental deaths. If you have the time and are considering dental work or have a child who is, it is worth the time and effort to better learn and understand so you can be better prepared about how to select your dentist and what to do if something goes wrong. Additionally, take a look at http://www.teethremoval.com/mortality_rates_in_dentistry.html and http://www.teethremoval.com/death.html for additional information on the statistics of dental deaths and cases of dental deaths from wisdom teeth removal.

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Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil have found that more frequent migraine attacks lead to more severe temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge connecting the jawbone to the skull, and when the disorder of it occurs, there is often difficulty chewing and joint tension.

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Everyone faces challenges and adversity in their lives that can result in stress. For many people a coping mechanism may be to  talk to friends and family members or exercise to get endorphins flowing. Everyone can benefit by getting extra support and talking with a professional. It has been shown that talking about your feelings can have a therapeutic effect on the brain. Therefore, getting your thoughts out in the open can help improve your health.

For all parties involved with wisdom teeth removal there a lot of challenges one may face. Those considering the surgery may suffer from dental phobia and have a strong fear of the dentist which prevents them from getting the dental treatment they need. They may have a fear of pain or a previous negative experience that is contributing. Others who have gone through with wisdom teeth removal may have actually suffered a permanent or long lasting complication. They may find that disrupts their prior routine and life and they have difficulty with the adjustment. Even loved ones such as family of those who are having the surgery or recently had the surgery may have issues that may be best served by getting them out in the open. Dentists and oral surgeons themselves may even be struggling after one of their patients was adversely affected by their surgery or recommended treatment plan. In all cases therapy may be beneficial. For some, it may be a financial challenge to attend therapy or inconvenient for their rigorous schedules. There is an option for those suffering life’s challenges to get help anytime and at any location by professional counseling that is affordable and convenient at https://www.betterhelp.com/start/.

Below are some of the top benefits of therapy and may lead you to start if you have not already or lead you to talk to a loved one about starting therapy.

1. A therapist provides objective and useful information

A therapist may provide you with ways of thinking about a problem you have not thought of. They may also have a wealth of information that can be applied to your challenge or problem. Gaining insight and information on how to handle situations can help with your growth and healing process.

2. A therapist helps you deal with the past

A lot of issues people face stem from past events. For example, you may have negative thoughts and voices in your head telling you bad things will happen or you are a failure. Former experiences and relationships can be a contributing factor. Therapists are equipped to help you navigate through tough times and make you aware that you can create your own future. Therapists can also help you get rid of negative self talk and think more positively.

3. A therapist can provide a reality check on your life

Many people struggle with abusive relationships and incorrect thinking patterns that are far outside the norm of reality. A therapist can help you understand what is considered normal and socially acceptable. This may cause you to reevaluate how you approach various aspects of your life.

4. A therapist can help improve your mental health and thus overall health

It is well known that seeing a therapist can help improve your mental health which is important for your overall well being. By seeing a therapist you can learn positive coping strategies such as  mindfulness to cope with difficult situations and reframing thoughts. By getting therapy you can learn problem solving techniques that can help you overcome issues such as addiction, depression, and anxiety. These techniques can allow you to be able to better handle your emotions and understand how to not let them drastically affect your life. Instead of listing reasons why you should not see a therapist why don’t you decide a reason why you should.

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As the perceived wisdom goes, flossing helps keep your teeth healthy and prevents gum disease. However, studies in recent years have called into question this long-established recommendation, see also http://blog.teethremoval.com/experts-insist-flossing-does-nothing-to-limit-tooth-decaycould-they-be-correct/. So what are the benefits of flossing, if any? Despite the apparent lack of evidence for any health benefits of flossing, both the British and American dental associations still recommend incorporating it into your daily routine. And whilst the evidence to support flossing isn’t there, there isn’t any evidence to show that the activity doesn’t have any benefits.

The purpose of using dental floss is to remove food and other residue from between the teeth. It can also help to prevent bloody gums and inflammation from gingivitis, as well as reduce the build-up of plaque on teeth. Reducing all of these factors can help prevent gum disease. So although there is little in the way of compelling evidence to floss daily, there could certainly be some benefits. However, flossing can sometimes be damaging when not performed correctly. With poor technique and over eagerness, it’s possible to damage both the teeth and the gums.

The useful infographic below gives you all the details and tips you need to start flossing correctly. I believe it it important to floss daily to maintain your dental health and is especially important if you are deciding to retain any wisdom teeth.

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Tooth extractions are fairly common, but it’s important to get your teeth extracted the right way and follow certain dos and don’ts after the extraction. The after-care process is very important if you want to prevent infection and bone loss. Below are the top do’s and dont’s from Dr. Chaben who is an experienced Livonia dentist from Platinum Dental Care that you should consider following after tooth extraction.

Things to Do After Tooth Extraction

1. Immediately after you return home, apply an ice pack to your jaw on the extraction side to reduce swelling.
2. Change the gauze the dentist has packed into your extraction site at least every half hour to prevent infection.
3. Bite down on the gauze for as long as you can, to help the wound clot and start healing.
4. If you continue bleeding for a few hours after the extraction, then place a wet tea bag on the extraction site. Tea contains tannic acid which helps aid the clotting process.
5. If your dentist has prescribed antibiotics, do take them on time until the course is completed in order to prevent infection.
6. Avoid lying flat as this increases blood flow from the tooth extraction site. Keep your head elevated to prevent this.
7. If possible, avoid all foods that require chewing as this puts strain on the area that’s still raw and bleeding.
8. Drink plenty of fluids such as juices and milkshakes; your body can use the energy to heal.
9. Keep a small ice cube in your mouth or eat ice cream as this can stop the bleeding and help heal the site more quickly.
10. After your tooth extraction, get some rest. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours.
11. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to maintain hygiene in your mouth, but only start this 12 hours after the extraction.
12. Aspirin in a blood thinner and can increase blood flow if you take it after the extraction. So if you’re taking aspirin as part of a different prescription, let your dentist know. Take something like ibuprofen for the pain.

Things That You Shouldn’t Do After Tooth Extraction

1. Avoid smoking, chewing tobacco or consuming alcohol. All three things will cause damage to your teeth and gums. Plus, they can cause problems in your recovery from tooth extraction.
2. When you drink water or other liquids, don’t use a straw. This is because when you suck on the straw, the newly-formed blood clot loosens and blood flow begins again at the tooth extraction site. The site could become inflamed and even infected.
3. For the same reason, avoid sucking on anything such as toffees, lollipops and candy.
4. Avoid eating hard foods that require hard biting, as this can damage the sore and raw extraction site and slow down your recovery.
5. Either drink beverages cold or lukewarm – avoid drinking beverages hot, as this can start your extraction site bleeding again, and keep the wound raw longer.
6. Don’t touch the tooth extraction site with your fingers, as you might contaminate the site with bacteria. Also don’t touch it with a brush, toothpick or tongue cleaner, as this can lead to a dry socket.

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Is it better to get braces or wait for a child’s wisdom teeth to come through? This is the most common question that most orthodontists are asked by their patients.

The common concern that all parents have about their children getting braces early on is that their wisdom teeth may erupt at a later stage and throw the rest of their teeth out of alignment. The truth is that most children don’t get their wisdom teeth until they enter their early college years, and there are very few if any children who will want to wait until then to start their orthodontic treatment.

Wisdom Teeth and How They Affect the Alignment of Teeth

Wisdom tooth removal is not necessary for everyone but may be needed for children who need braces as emerging wisdom teeth may crowd the mouth which does not help with the correct alignment of teeth. Keeping wisdom teeth can make it harder to get braces as well as increase the risk of children getting tooth decay and gum disease. Most children tend to get an orthodontic evaluation done by the age of 9-10 years after which the orthodontist can make a decision after analyzing the mouth.

5 Possible Problems When Wisdom Teeth Come In

1. If wisdom teeth have only emerged partially, with a flap of skin covering part of wisdom teeth, then this flap of skin is a lot more likely to attract infections due to the trapping of food particles.
2. If there is insufficient space in the mouth for the wisdom teeth to come through, they may remain trapped below the surface of the gums which can lead to great discomfort.
3. Painful cysts and other oral problems may develop due to wisdom teeth becoming infected.
4. The eruption of wisdom teeth may crowd the back of the mouth and begin to rub the inside of the mouth at an awkward angle.
5. The risk of gum disease and tooth decay may increase if wisdom teeth erupt or partially erupt.

How Do I Know if Wisdom Teeth will Cause Problems?

It is difficult to ascertain whether or not your wisdom teeth will create problems without getting x-rays and visiting an orthodontist, oral surgeon or general dentist.

Why Wisdom Teeth Extraction is Recommended

Removing wisdom teeth is not necessary for everyone but it is advised to have children’s wisdom teeth extracted if they want to get braces. There has to be enough room in the mouth for the orthodontic treatment to be effective. Emerging wisdom teeth may overcrowd the mouth which can have a negative effect on the braces. Leaving wisdom teeth in place can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Should Braces Come After Wisdom Tooth Extraction?

Wisdom teeth removal does not have to occur prior to getting braces. A lot of people tend to undergo orthodontic treatment when they are quite young, when their wisdom teeth have not started coming through yet. Wisdom teeth can be removed as and when they become a problem.

All patients are unique and there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment approach to preserve oral and dental health.

It is a difficult to predict whether one should have wisdom teeth removed or not without seeking the council of a general dentist, orthodontist or getting x-rays. It is best to have an orthodontist look and discuss the individual circumstances on the best course of treatment that is required.

This is a guest post by Emily Taylor who is currently the Online Marketing Manager at Thurman Orthodontics in Fresno, California. Emily enjoys writing and researching about having a healthy bite to improve a smile and bakes in her free time.

The post Getting Braces Before or After Wisdom Teeth Extraction: Which is The Better Option? appeared first on TeethRemoval.com.

Dealing with teeth grinding can be a real challenge, but as it’s a problem that can cause headaches, jaw pain and damage to your teeth too, it’s not something that should be ignored. For those that  grind teeth during the day or the night, here are seven tips for how to deal with it and prevent it:

Break the Habit
Teeth grinding is a habit that may be breakable. The first step is identifying the times when you grind your teeth. This is obviously much easier if you grind your teeth during the day. By making a note of each teeth grinding episode you can start to work out why you grind your teeth. It may be a response to stress or something you do when you’re really concentrating on a task. Once you’ve identified the situations that lead to teeth grinding, it’s easier to recognize them in the future. You can then employ relaxation strategies to break the habit and stop your normal teeth grinding response.

Think About What You Eat and Drink
Alcohol can make night time teeth grinding worse. Caffeine is another culprit. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee and chocolate so avoiding these items can make a difference. Smoking and taking recreational drugs can also have an impact on your tooth grinding habit. Consider what you’re consuming on a regular basis and make changes wherever possible.

Don’t Chew Gum
Chewing on gum or on non-food items like a pen or a pencil during the day gets your jaw muscles used to clenching. If you do either of these things regularly, it makes teeth grinding at other times more likely.

Get a Mouth Guard
A mouth guard is a quick and easy way to protect your teeth if you tend to grind them at night. Guards are made from rubber or plastic and prevent any damage to your teeth. A custom made mouth guard is the best option as it will fit properly and comfortably and won’t interfere with your sleep.

Deal with Underlying Stress
Teeth grinding is sometimes caused by stress. If you think worries or anxiety may be the reason behind your problem, there are a number of ways you can try to resolve it. Talking about your worries, either to a friend or a professional counsellor, is a great first step. Also consider cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which can help you recognise and stem negative thoughts before they take hold. A relaxing bed time routine can also ensure that you’re not drifting off to sleep feeling tense or on edge. You could try a warm bath, reading, deep breathing or a few yoga exercises.

Ask your Doctor About Suitable Medications
Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen can help to relieve any discomfort in your head, face or jaw after a night of teeth grinding. This isn’t a solution but it will alleviate some of the pain you might experience. Also speak to your doctor about suitable medications. Taking a muscle relaxant before you go to bed may help to prevent teeth grinding in the night. Teeth grinding is a known side-effect of certain anti-depressants. So if you’re taking anti-depressants and teeth grinding is a problem, ask your doctor about alternatives.

Get Regular Dental Check Ups
Teeth grinding can cause serious problems for your teeth. You may experience cracked or chipped teeth. Any problems should be rectified by a dentist as soon as possible to prevent any further damage. It’s also possible to get dental treatment that works to stop you grinding your teeth altogether. These treatments reshape the chewing surface of your teeth and are a great, if expensive, option.

There are lots of ways to cope with teeth grinding. By following the above tips, teeth grinding may come to a halt.

This is a guest post by Sarah Kearns who is a Senior Communications Manager. She is the mother of three daughters and enjoys cooking and reading history books.

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When it comes to visiting the dentist, there aren’t too many people who particularly enjoy the prospect of having dental work done nor, of course, the possibility of having to have a tooth removed.

Fortunately, the vast majority of dental procedures are safe, effective and go according to plan without any problems along the way.  That said, of course, (and as with anything else in life), there’s always potential for something to go wrong and having the wrong tooth extracted is certainly no laughing matter (in every sense of the word).

What can I do if my dentist extracts the wrong tooth, or teeth?

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having the wrong tooth (or teeth) extracted then you’ll naturally want to make a claim against your dentist to compensate you for their error.

Using a team of expert solicitors that are highly experienced in dental claims is the best place to start (a solicitor is essentially a lawyer and used in some countries like the U.K.)

What might I be able to claim for?

If your dentist has been negligent, then you should be able to claim for medical negligence – not to mention, of course, any additional loss you might well incur as a result of the extraction (for example aesthetic costs or any additional treatment which might be required).  The dental negligence claims solicitors will be able to guide you every step of the way and help you to bring a successful claim against your dentist or oral healthcare professional.

In addition to the treatment (and remedial process) itself, you might also be able to claim for any loss of earnings or other associated losses (such as prescription charges) so it’s important you speak to them as soon as possible.

Will I have to go back to the same dentist?

Absolutely not.  In fact, it’s perfectly understandable why you wouldn’t want to go back to the same dentist – particularly if they’ve been negligent in their duty of care towards you.

If the wrong tooth has been extracted and can’t be put back in, then you might need to consider either a crown or an implant to replace it.  However, this doesn’t have to be with the same dentist (or even the same practice) if you don’t feel comfortable using them again.  You’re perfectly entitled to have any remedial treatment done elsewhere and then simply incorporate the cost of doing this into your overall claim.

How quickly do I need to make a claim?

If you’re looking to make a claim for dental negligence then you need to do so within three years.  Any claims made after this period of time are likely to be statute barred and you won’t be able to take any action against your dentist.

What is the claims process?

Once you contact a dental negligence solicitor, they’ll take as much information as possible from you in order to start your claim – and perhaps ask a few questions so that we can get a better picture of what’s happened.  If you’re happy with them to act on your behalf, they’ll then send a formal letter of claim to your dentist and put them on notice that you intend to claim compensation from them; together with any other associated losses (such as remedial treatment and so on).

All dentists in the U.K. have to be registered with the General Dental Council, the U.K.’s dental regulator who set certain standards across the entire industry.  However, whilst they’ll certainly investigate any complaints (and even strike a dental professional off their register if deemed appropriate), they can’t provide any financial redress to patients.  This is why it’s so important to speak with someone at the soonest opportunity.

Will I have to go to Court?

Fortunately the vast majority of cases are capable of being settled without a court hearing so it’s quite unlikely that you’ll have to attend Court in order to receive your compensation.  Of course, there are certain exceptions to the rule but generally speaking, solicitors always do their best to negotiate with either the dental practice concerned and/or their insurers.

How do I make a claim?

For those in the U.K., making a claim through a Dental Negligence Solicitors is easy (for example, visit https://smithjonessolicitors.co.uk/dental-negligence-claims/).  If you’d like to chat to them about the services they offer you can speak with one on 0800 195 95 90.  They’re there to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so why not give them a call & tell them a little bit more about your claim?

Remember, you only have three years from the date of your treatment to make a claim so the sooner you call, the sooner they can help you get the best remedial treatment and compensation settlement.  After all, that’s what they do best!

The post Dentist Removed the Wrong Teeth, What Can I Do? appeared first on TeethRemoval.com.

There are different techniques that one can take to try to improve their overall health and life. It has long been thought by Yogis and Buddhists that meditation and breathing exercises strengthen our ability to focus. Other benefits include decreased mind wandering, more positive emotions, and decreased emotional reactivity. Now research has shown that a key element of mediation and mindfulness affects the level of a natural chemical messenger in the brain called noradrenaline. This noradrenaline is released when we are focused or challenged and if produced at the correct levels can help the brain grow new connections.

The study was carried out by researchers at Trinity College and led the researchers to believe that it is possible to stabilize attention and boost brain health through breath control practices.  When people are stressed too much noradrenaline is produced and people can’t focus. When people are sluggish too little noradrenaline is produced and people can’t focus. However, there is a sweet spot of noradrenaline in which thinking, emotions, and memory have some clarity. Therefore, by focusing on and regulating breathing it is possible to optimize attention and allow for more synchronized breathing.

This research could lead to the development of new non-pharmacological therapies for people with conditions like ADHD and traumatic brain injury. The researchers also feel that the study has implications for brain aging. This is because brains typically lose mass as they age and by using breathing it may be possible to reduce dementia risk and instead strengthen brain networks. Even so, this study has important implications for everyone. It seems it is possible to improve brain health by doing anything that may improve breathing such as aerobic exercise or mindfulness meditation.

Another topic very related to this study is that of biofeedback. In biofeedback, one works on gaining more awareness of physiological functions using instruments that provide information with the goal of being able to alter and change these physiological functions as one desires. Deep breathing and mindfulness meditation are several relaxation exercises that are part of biofeedback therapy along with muscle relaxation. The author of this website has some experience using biofeedback to control different body functions to try to minimize headache intensity. As a result of this study from Trinity College, it appears that pretty much everyone could benefit from learning biofeedback to help control their breathing. While traditionally biofeedback has been used to help with things like chronic pain, headaches, anxiety, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, ADHD, and asthma it seems that there are many wide ranging applications.

While one may be able to learn how to practice mindfulness mediation on their own, such as reading more at https://www.mindful.org/mindfulness-how-to-do-it/, there are of course many benefits from seeking an expert to provide training. For biofeedback one may also want to see someone who is licensed and has specialized training. As such it may be important to read more about some of the differences between a therapist and a psychologist to get a better sense of what one might be comfortable with, see https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/psychologists/what-is-the-difference-between-a-therapist-and-a-psychologist/. Ultimately, while some people with specific health conditions may benefit more from practicing breathing exercises than others, it appears that if everyone can control their noradrenaline it can help improve overall brain health and led to a better functioning society.

Source: M. C. Melnychuk, P. M. Dockree, R. G. O’Connell, P. R. Murphy, J. H. Balsters, and I. H. Robertson. Coupling of respiration and attention via the locus coeruleus: Effects of meditation and pranayama. Psychophysiology, 2018.

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A 2014 research project confirmed the link between poor oral health and depression, a relevant finding that can help in improving public health.  Oral health plays a significant role in the mental condition of a person, a two-way relationship that can become complex. On the one hand, dental care and treatments may produce anxieties and phobias. However, the absence of good oral hygiene can cause tooth problems, gum diseases, infections and other complications. Medications for mental health issues also produce side effects such as teeth grinding and dry mouths.

The Importance of Oral Health and the Science Behind It

Two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) examined the relationship of dental health and depression. Oral health questionnaires (OHQ) were used as bases for dental health while depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Using logistic regression to measure the scale of the connection between oral health and depression while controlling independent variables such as C-reactive proteins (CRP) used as markers of inflammation and body mass index (BMI), the study results revealed that there is a positive association between depression and oral health.

It is well-recognized that poor dental health is a source of systemic inflammation and developing literature suggests that it is a risk factor for inflammatory diseases such as those affecting the cardiovascular system. Poor oral hygiene is also believed to increase the chances of getting a cardiovascular disease according to de Oliveira et al.  Emerging literature suggests that depression is an inflammatory disorder with studies indicating that high CRP levels increase the chances of developing serious depression. Controlling factors for inflammation are, therefore, imperative since depression is a worldwide burden that affects many people.

Previous Studies Link Depression and Oral Health

Marques-Vidal et al studied Portuguese health science students to assess the relationship between oral health and depression/anxiety. The research revealed that subjects who had depression or anxiety experienced higher incidences of gum bleeding and increased visits to the dentists. Perceived gum bleeding and toothache were thought to be linked to depression and anxiety but the researchers could not validate the role of decreased dental care in the relationship.

However, Okoro et al suggest that adults with depression have higher prevalence of underutilizing oral health care services. Patients on antidepressant therapy are at risk of experiencing hyposalivation, dry mouth, gum infection, periodontitis and teeth grinding according to Keene et al. Dentists must be careful in treating them to avoid complications or unwanted side effects with other medications. Poor dental health due to lifestyles and diets as well as alcohol consumption also contribute to risks for depression.

The NHANES study indicates the positive correlation between oral health and depression. Dental health is an important component in public health. Given that poor oral health is a risk factor for depression, it has wider implications in its management and prevention. Strategies and programs to prevent depression can include better dental care that will improve overall public health and wellbeing.

Additional Sources:

1. Cesar de Oliveira, Watt Richard, and Hamer Mark. Toothbrushing, inflammation, and risk of cardiovascular disease: results from Scottish Health Survey. BMJ, 2010, 340, c2451.
2. Pedro Marques‐Vidal and Virginia Milagre. Are Oral Health Status and Care Associated with Anxiety and Depression? A Study of Portuguese Health Science Students. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 2006, 66: 64-66.
3. Catherine A. Okoro, Tara W. Strine, Paul I. Eke, Satvinder S. Dhingra, and Lina S. Balluz. The association between depression and anxiety and use of oral health services and tooth loss. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 2012, 40: 134-144.
4. Joseph J. Keene, Gail T. Galasko, and Martin F. Land. Antidepressant use in psychiatry and medicine, The Journal of the American Dental Association, 2003, 134(1): 71 – 79.

Image from https://unsplash.com/photos/mMV4NU3UBY8

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