

Li Cui

About me
Graduated with a master's degree in Clinical Dentistry from Central South University in 2008, has been engaged in clinical dentistry for 9 years, currently a Ph.D. student at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Central South University. A member of the Chinese Stomatological Association, a member of the Dental Pulp Committee of the Hunan Branch of the Chinese Stomatological Association, a member of the Hunan Oral Health Management Committee, and has extensive clinical experience.
Proficient in diseases
Diagnosis and treatment of dental caries, pulpitis, various types of periapical periodontitis, periodontitis, dental implant surgery.

Voices

What to do if you have tooth decay and swollen, painful gums?
When patients experience dental caries and swollen, painful gums, it is advised that they seek medical attention promptly. They may take some anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications to relieve inflammation and pain. After the inflammation has completely subsided, treatment should be based on the extent of damage to the dental caries. If the damage to the dental caries is minor, conservative treatment may be sufficient. However, if the damage is severe, it may affect part of the tooth structure or even the entire tooth and root, possibly leading to cavitation. In such cases, it is recommended that patients consider tooth extraction or filling as remedial measures. Additionally, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene and develop correct tooth brushing habits. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

Can tooth decay pain be relieved with Sichuan pepper?
If a patient has dental caries and is experiencing considerable pain, and there are no medications available nearby, they can temporarily use Sichuan peppercorns for pain relief. This is because certain components within Sichuan peppercorns can alleviate some of the pain, although they do not treat the dental caries directly. Thus, it is recommended that if a patient is suffering from toothache due to dental caries, they should seek timely treatment at a hospital. The specific treatment plan should be based on the extent of damage caused by the dental caries. If the damage is minor, the tooth generally does not require special treatment; however, if the dental caries are severe and have damaged the tooth structure, root, or even the dental nerves or gum tissue, it is advisable for the patient to consider tooth extraction followed by a dental restoration. The specific recommendations should still be based on a doctor’s diagnosis and a tailored treatment plan should be established.

Is vitamin C useful for oral ulcers?
When patients have oral ulcers, taking vitamin C can help repair the ulcers to some extent. However, it is generally recommended that patients use local medications in the mouth, which can provide quicker and more noticeable results. Sprays specifically for oral ulcers can be directly applied to the affected areas, or patches designed for oral ulcers can be adhered directly to the lesions, which can effectively help in healing the ulcers. Additionally, patients may appropriately take some oral vitamins that can effectively enhance the body's resistance and aid in the recovery from certain ailments. It is important to maintain correct dietary and lifestyle habits and pay attention to oral hygiene.

Does dandelion tea treat oral ulcers?
Mouth ulcers, which are also a type of erosion of the oral mucosa, can occur anywhere in the mouth such as the lips, the body of the tongue, the lingual papillae, or under the tongue. This condition is relatively common, and it is suggested that patients can apply oral ulcer sprays or stomatitis sprays locally to the affected areas. There are also oral ulcer lozenges available that can be held in the mouth over the ulcerated surface, which are quite effective in treating mouth ulcers. Dandelion has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. When suffering from mouth ulcers, drinking dandelion tea can be beneficial. However, when mouth ulcers are painful, it is recommended that patients apply local medications, as this method is more direct and tends to be faster. Dietary considerations should include eating lightly and avoiding spicy and irritating foods. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

What to do if periodontitis causes a fever?
Periodontitis is an inflammation of the gums and oral cavity. When a patient has periodontitis, they may experience pain and swelling. When the inflammation is severe, the patient may have a slight fever. In such cases, it is generally recommended that the patient take oral antibiotics effective against anaerobic bacteria, such as metronidazole or tinidazole, as well as anti-inflammatory antibiotics like amoxicillin, cephalosporins, levofloxacin, or erythromycin. If fever occurs, it is recommended that the patient take antipyretic analgesics, such as ibuprofen sustained-release tablets or acetaminophen tablets, which can relieve pain and reduce fever. If the periodontitis is severe, it is advised that the patient should promptly visit a hospital and follow a doctor’s guidance to develop an appropriate treatment plan. (Note: The use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

How long does it generally take for the pain from a cavity to ease when biting?
When patients experience some occlusal pain due to tooth decay, the time it takes for relief depends on the patient's inflammation levels and the treatment measures taken. If the patient receives timely treatment and effectively alleviates the inflammation, it generally takes about a week to heal and relieve the pain. If the patient does not undergo treatment, the condition may worsen and the pain may persist longer. Therefore, when a patient has tooth decay, it is best to visit a hospital for a consultation. Treatment should be administered based on the extent of the decayed tooth, and in severe cases of decay, tooth extraction might be necessary.

Can you drink milk with oral ulcers?
When experiencing oral ulcers, patients can appropriately drink milk. Oral ulcers are a type of oral inflammation, where localized areas in the mouth develop ulcerative lesions, often accompanied by significant pain, and the ulcerative surfaces may exhibit white substances. At this time, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene and nutrition, rinse their mouths promptly after meals to remove food residues and prevent bacterial infections that could irritate the wound. Additionally, patients can not only drink milk but also eat other nutritious foods such as eggs, lean meats, fresh vegetables, and fruits. These can effectively supplement various nutrients needed by the body, which are beneficial for the healing of oral ulcers. Therefore, when patients suffer from oral ulcers, they must ensure a light and balanced diet.

Can cheilitis cause facial dermatitis?
Cheilitis is generally caused by the delicate skin on the lips, which may not tolerate strong external irritations, such as during the dry climate in autumn and winter. Prolonged exposure to these irritations can lead to inflammation. For example, the lips may show signs of redness, swelling, heat, pain, or dryness and peeling with bleeding, causing significant discomfort in the patient's diet and daily life. Cheilitis generally does not cause inflammation of the facial skin. However, when a patient has cheilitis, it is also possible that the face has been irritated by external climatic conditions, leading to facial dermatitis. At this time, it is advised that patients should pay attention to protecting their face, wear a mask when going out, and take good care of their facial protection. Additionally, patients can apply some ointment to the face to effectively alleviate discomfort caused by inflammation.

Can severe oral ulcers cause fever?
Oral ulcers generally do not cause fever, and common oral ulcers usually heal on their own within about a week. In the initial days, they may manifest as localized pain. In cases of severe or recurrent oral ulcers, or when accompanied by fungal and other bacterial infections, there might be occurrences of fever. In such cases, it is generally recommended for patients to take oral anti-inflammatory medications or antipyretic analgesics to reduce inflammation and fever. Firstly, patients must pay attention to oral hygiene and avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods. Additionally, it is advised that patients visit a hospital for consultation, where they can have a complete blood count test and ensure to rest properly. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

Can I take acyclovir tablets if I have severe oral ulcers?
When patients experience severe oral ulcers, it is generally not recommended to take acyclovir tablets, because acyclovir is used to treat symptoms caused by some viral infections. If the disease is caused by viral infections, acyclovir can be taken orally. When oral ulcers occur, they are generally caused by "internal heat" in the patient's body, possibly due to a decrease in resistance, leading to local mucosal ulceration, bleeding, and pain in the mouth. When patients have low resistance, it is suggested that they adjust their resistance appropriately, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, ensure adequate rest, drink plenty of water, and adjust their lifestyle appropriately without overeating or drinking. Oral ulcers and acyclovir are not closely related, so it is advised not to take acyclovir tablets when oral ulcers occur. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)