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Wang Peng
Dentistry
About me
Associate Chief Physician, Master of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, with 14 years of experience in this field.
Proficient in diseases
Wisdom tooth, peri-coronitis of wisdom tooth, short lingual frenulum, glossitis, periodontitis, pulp necrosis, gingival tumor, periapical periodontitis, tooth extraction, dental implant.
Voices
Can pigmentation caused by cheilitis be cured?
If the patient has pigment deposition caused by repeated occurrences of cheilitis, this condition is usually difficult to alleviate. Even with treatment, restoring the lips to their original color is a long and gradual process. It is suggested that patients with cheilitis, who have experienced changes in lip color, may temporarily observe the condition, as it does not affect their overall health, nor does it impede eating or speech functions. If appearance is a concern, one can use lip balm or undergo lip tattooing to cover it up; however, it is crucial to avoid local irritation.
What is good to eat for oral ulcers caused by excessive internal heat?
Patients with mouth ulcers caused by excessive internal heat can take some Chinese patent medicines that clear heat and eliminate fire. They should also drink more water, eat light meals, and consume fresh fruits and vegetables. This not only supplements various trace elements and vitamins but also enhances the body's immunity and promotes quick healing of the ulcers. The exact cause of mouth ulcers is not yet fully understood, but the disease is self-limiting and usually heals completely within about seven to ten days, so patients need not worry too much. If the ulcers cause severe local pain, lidocaine gel can be used for local treatment. Applying watermelon frost or borax powder locally can also promote the healing of ulcers.
Can cavities be seen with the naked eye?
Some cavities are visible to the naked eye, while others are not. Clinically, some cavities can be observed with the naked eye. Such cavities usually have damage that extends beyond the enamel, with obvious cavities and incomplete tooth structures visible. For example, cavities on the biting surfaces of molar teeth and on the adjacent surfaces of front teeth that are moderate to severe can be seen with the naked eye. However, not all cavities can be observed with the naked eye. When the decay is confined within the enamel without obvious cavity formation, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be diagnosed by taking dental X-rays. Clinically, there are also some cavities on adjacent surfaces where the decay starts from hidden parts of the tooth; some of these might show ink-soaked-like dark brown discoloration on the biting surfaces, but they too require dental X-rays for diagnosis.
What will happen if a cavity is filled without being cleaned properly?
If tooth decay is not completely cleaned out before filling, bacteria can continue to develop and multiply within the tooth, leading to more severe decay and potentially causing diseases such as pulpitis or periapical periodontitis. It is recommended that patients with cavities should undergo treatment based on the severity of the decay. Mild cavities usually only cause minor changes in tooth color; this can be gently abraded and then treated with fluoride materials. If the cavity is more severe, the decayed material inside the cavity should be completely removed, and then light-cured resin material can be used for filling. Deeper cavities may also require a protective pulp base.
Can chapped lips be exposed to the sun?
Patients with cheilitis are advised not to expose themselves to the sun. The exact causes of cheilitis are not fully clear, but clinical doctors generally believe that certain external irritants are directly related to the onset of cheilitis. For example, stimuli from cold and dry climates or prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to the occurrence of cheilitis and may also exacerbate the condition in patients. Therefore, patients with cheilitis are advised against sun exposure before it is clear which specific cause is responsible. Those suffering from cheilitis should first eliminate local irritants, such as frequent licking or biting of the lips, and maintain local moisture. This can be achieved by methods such as moist compresses to relieve dryness.
Can I drink Pu'er tea with cheilitis?
Patients with cheilitis can drink Pu'er tea. The exact causes of cheilitis are not entirely clear, but clinically, it is generally believed to be related to environmental irritants, allergic factors, poor lifestyle habits, and the irritation of certain foods. However, tea itself does not cause allergic reactions. Patients with cheilitis should eat foods that are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and rich in high-quality proteins, and they should avoid oily, spicy, and irritating foods. Tea is neither spicy nor overly greasy, and it is relatively beneficial for health. Therefore, it is acceptable for patients with cheilitis to drink some Pu'er tea appropriately.
How can exfoliative cheilitis be completely treated?
Exfoliative cheilitis is currently very difficult to completely cure. Exfoliative cheilitis is considered an immune disease, caused by external irritants, allergens, and various other factors triggering an abnormal body reaction. Clinically, it mainly presents as scaling and peeling of the lip tissue, along with chronic inflammation. Patients with this condition can undergo symptomatic treatment, but curing it entirely is very challenging. During outbreaks of exfoliative cheilitis, it is important to keep the lips clean. Methods like moist compresses can help maintain lip moisture and prevent the cheilitis from worsening due to dryness. Patients should avoid peeling off dry skin from the lips with their hands as this can lead to infections.
How to distinguish between toothache and mumps
Tooth pain and mumps are easy to distinguish. First, when a tooth has a deep cavity, it becomes sensitive to hot and cold stimuli, producing transient pain. If there is periapical periodontitis or pulpitis, the pain becomes spontaneous and persists, worsening at night and becoming intolerable. If a patient has mumps, there is usually swelling and pain in the head and face, centered around the earlobe. Upon examination, the opening of the parotid duct inside the mouth is visibly swollen and pus is discharged when pressed.
Can hot compresses be used to reduce swelling in mumps?
Patients with mumps can use hot compresses as an adjunct treatment, but hot compresses usually do not reduce swelling. Mumps is generally caused by bacterial or viral infections, so the local swelling is not directly related to the patient's stagnation of blood. Although hot compresses can alleviate some pain, they cannot invigorate the blood and dissipate blood stasis; therefore, they do not effectively reduce swelling. It is recommended that patients with viral mumps undergo antiviral treatment, while those with bacterial mumps should receive anti-inflammatory treatment. Additionally, during treatment, it is important to ensure proper isolation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.