Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common form of oral ulceration. Prevalence rates for the general population vary between 5-60%. Onset generally peaks between the ages of 10-19 an often persists in to adulthood. A wide range of topical and systematic treatments have been utilised including low-level laser therapy. The aim of the study [read the full story…]
Xerostomia is a subjective sensation of dry mouth, this is a common symptom particularly in older adults and has a variety of causes. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that non-selectively binds to muscarinic receptors in smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal, urinary and pulmonary systems and stimulates the production of secretions from the salivary and sweat [read the full story…]
The latest Cochrane protocol from the Oral Health Group to be published is planning to look at the clinical effectiveness and safety of interventions in the pain, episode duration and episode frequency of oral ulcers and any change in the quality of life for patients with aphthous-type ulceration associated with Behçet’s disease. Behçet’s disease is [read the full story…]
Sinusitis is one of the commonest reasons for visiting the doctor accounting for 15% to 21% of all adult outpatient antibiotic prescriptions. Patients may also present at dental practices, as pain from upper posterior teeth can be indistinguishable from sinusitis. Typical signs and symptoms are purulent nasal discharge, postnasal drip, sinus pain at palpation, nasal [read the full story…]
Mouth cancers form part of a wider group of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and oesphagus), which are strongly associated with smoking and alcohol. The aim of this review was to quantify the association between alcohol drinking and UADT cancer mortality The Medline and ISI Web of Science databases were searched [read the full story…]
Shortly before Christmas two new protocols for Cochrane review from the Oral Health Group appeared on the Cochrane Library. The first one is:- Taylor J, Brocklehurst P, Glenny AM, Walsh T, Tickle M, Lewis MA, Riley P, Yates JM, Pemberton MN. Topical interventions for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers) (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [read the full story…]
Denture stomatitis is relatively common with studies suggesting that it can affect 35-50% of complete denture wearers. It is characterised by mild inflammation and redness of the oral mucosa and about 90% are associated with Candida. The aim of this review was compare the efficacy of antifungal therapy with any other alternative methods used for [read the full story…]
Bacteraemia is common following dental procedures and it was believed that this could lead to bacteria endocarditis a severe infection of the lining of the chambers of the heart with a high mortality rate. Until 2008 when National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended that antibiotics were not required guidelines in many countries [read the full story…]
It has been estimated that between 10-26% of men and 10-33% of women experience dry mouth. The subjective sensation of dry mouth is called xerostomia and can be found in people with normal salivary gland function. The normal range of salivary production ranges from 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day. The aim of this Cochrane [read the full story…]
Periapical abscess is sequelae of the death of the dental pulp often as a result of dental caries or trauma. It is normally managed in dental practice with root canal treatment or extraction. However, if left untreated it can lead in some circumstances lead to the destruction of bone and the spread of infection to [read the full story…]
