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Member
Posts: 29
| How do you feel about over-the-counter products for oral pain and inflammation, such as topical benzocaine? I use such a gel from time to time to deal with pain from canker sores and the like, but I'm wondering if I should be more cautious about these products. What are your thoughts?
Over-the-counter products can help relieve areas of soreness on the surface of your cheeks and lips and tongue. However, the problem with most over-the-counter gels is that they don't last long in the areas where you need them. The other problem is that using these over-the-counter products prevents people from getting the proper diagnosis and treatment they need. http://www.medorder.eu/WOODPECKER-Ultrasonic-Piezo-Scaler-Built-in-...
When inflammation or an infection is present in the mouth, it's important to determine the precise cause of the problem. Most of the tissue in the mouth is either pink, white, or redish in color, and this can make it difficult, even for a dentist, to provide a diagnosis just by examining the area; sometimes a biopsy, X-ray, or further tests need to be performed.
An example of such a situation is the canker sore, which experts believe may be viral in nature. Canker sores, resulting from trauma or other reasons, seem to last approximately 10 to 14 days and come and go. In these cases, an over-the-counter gel may make you feel better momentarily, though the virus still needs to run its course. On the other hand, if you have an actual infection, such as a root canal infection or periodontal infection, putting topical treatments on the area will not help — they will only mask the true problem. For a true dental issue, you must see a dentist for an X-ray and full evaluation, whether it is periodontal disease or a cavity or a root canal infection.
As with any medication, it is important that you use the right one for the right problem and also to be sure that you're not overusing or abusing the product. Most common over-the-counter treatments are non-toxic, but overuse of anything can cause problems, especially if the gel is ingested. As always I would recommend that you see your dentist to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you are relying on these medications for a recurring problem. | |
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you're not overusing or abusing the product
