In a previous post, we talked about burning your tongue with a sip of hot coffee, however, biting into food that is too hot not only hurts, but also can burn your palate (the roof of your mouth).  This type of burn is commonly referred to as “pizza mouth burn” as too hot pizzas seem to be a common cause. The gooey hot melted cheese hits the roof of the mouth and Ouch!

The roof of your mouth has a very thin lining of soft tissue. When it is burned by hot food, it will be very tender, feel raw and slightly swollen and can even blister. Usually, this type of burn is minor and heals within a week, but it does require care.

You need to be careful with what you eat and drink. Avoid foods that are hard or crusty or extremely hot. Stay away from spicy foods as that can aggravate the burned feeling. Cool water or ice in the mouth is always soothing to a burn. Soft foods will help soothe. Honey can also provide some relief.

With blisters, there is always the danger of infection so warm salt water rinses after eating will help to keep your mouth clean. If the pain is severe, topical anesthetic sprays can help. If the blisters are not healed within a week, check with your dentist to see if there is any concern for infection or if professional care is needed.

If you have questions about your dental health, please call Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa at 952-473-4900 or use our request an appointment page online to arrange an appointment. We are conveniently located if you are in the Lake Minnetonka, Hamel, or Minnetrista area.

In a previous post, we discussed Intraoral x-rays and what they show your dentist and how they assist in evaluating your dental health.

Extraoral x-rays might also be used in your dental examination, but they are different in that they deal with the jaw and skull, not the teeth. This type of x-ray is often used to look for impacted teeth, monitor growth and development of the jaw as it relates to the teeth and as a diagnostic tool for TMJ.

Panoramic X-Ray courtesy of Tammy Davenport, About.com

There are several types of extraoral x-rays:

• Panoramic x-rays show the entire mouth. This type of x-rays shows all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws on a single x-ray. Panoramic x-rays are helpful in showing the position of developing and fully emerged teeth, impacted teeth and tumors.
• Tomograms show a particular layer (or slice) of the mouth while blurring out all other layers. This type of x-ray is particularly useful for examining structures that are difficult to clearly see.
• Cephalometric projections show the entire side of the head. Orthodontists often use this type of x-ray to develop their treatment plan.
• Sialography allows visualization of the salivary glands. This is done with a dye injection into the salivary gland and is helpful in looking for blockages or Sjogren’s disease.
• Computed tomography (CT scan) is usually done in a hospital or radiology setting as it requires special equipment and training. CT scans are a 3-D image and are used to identify problems in the bones of the face (tumors or fractures) and also assist in evaluating bone for the placement of dental implants.

Many of the extraoral x-rays are not part of the annual dental examination, but do allow the dentist to evaluation conditions that are beyond the “normal exam” parameters. If any of these types of x-rays are required, Dr. McDowell will explain the need for the x-ray and discuss the results.

Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa is a family dentist that cares about you and your dental health.  Call Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa at 952-473-4900 or use our request an appointment page online to arrange an appointment. We are conveniently located if you are in the Wayzata, Plymouth or Orono area.

An important part of your annual dental exam is x-rays. Your dentist will always thoroughly examine your mouth for any visible external signs of dental concerns, but the best way to detect many dental diseases is with an x-ray.

Intraoral x-rays are the most common type of dental x-ray and provide your dentist with the following information:

• Areas of decay between the teeth or below existing fillings
• Infections in the bone
• Periodontal disease
• Abscesses, cysts, and some types of tumors
• Shows the state of developing teeth and any abnormalities

Bite Wing X-Ray Courtesy of Tammy Davenport, About.com

The typical dental x-ray exam consists of the following intraoral x-rays:

• Bitewing x-rays show the upper and lower teeth in one are of the mouth. A bitewing x-ray shows a tooth from its crown to the bone that supports it. They are used, typically, to detect decay between teeth and bone density.  Bitewing x-rays are also helpful in determining the proper fit of a crown
• Periapical x-rays show the whole tooth from the crown to beyond the end of the root to where the tooth is anchored in the jaw. This type of x-ray includes all the teeth in one portion of either the upper or lower jaw and is used to detect problems with the root structure and surrounding bone.
• Occlusal x-rays show full tooth development and placement. One x-ray will show the entire arch of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw.
• Digital radiographs are one of the latest x-ray techniques. They don’t use film but a flat electronic pad and sensor. The image is electronically sent directly to a computer where the image appears on the screen. Digital radiography also allows the dentist to compare an x-ray against a previous one for changes.

On your next visit, if you want to know more about x-rays, please ask. Dr. McDowell and the staff at Wayzata Dental & SmileSpa are here to help you understand your dental health. Call us at 952-473-4900 or use our Request an Appointment page. We are conveniently located if you are in the Wayzata, Plymouth or Minnetonka area.