I’m losing my night and peripheral vision – what could be the cause?

Although many eye conditions develop later in life as an effect of aging, others are caused by genetic factors and may begin to present themselves much earlier. One such condition is retinitis pigmentosa – a disease that causes damage to the rods and cones in a person’s retina. Rods are responsible for both peripheral and night vision, and as they become damaged, the person with RP slowly begins to lose these types of sight.

The American Optometric Association suggests that signs of RP often become apparent in childhood or adolescence, with night vision typically declining first. Fortunately, the disease is gradual, meaning a person may not develop a severe case for many years. Once the disease does progress, however, the patient may only be able to see straight ahead in a form of “tunnel vision.” At this stage, people must adapt to their new range of vision and stay aware of their surroundings. Otherwise, they may accidentally bump into furniture or other objects that are no longer in their peripheral vision.

If you suspect you or your child may have retinitis pigmentosa, talk to an optometrist on your True Dental Discounts - vision plan that specializes in low vision. He or she can provide you with valuable information about ways to slow the progression of vision loss, including making changes to your diet to include vitamin A and lutein. And although there is currently no cure for RP, your eye doctor can introduce you to several of the low-vision aids available, such as magnifying lenses and night-vision scopes. Such doctors are also good sources of information about living productively and independently with low vision. Find out more by scheduling an appointment today.

What to expect during an oral cancer exam

The statistics on oral cancer are frightening: More than 7,500 people will die this year from oral cancer, and another 35,000 people will be diagnosed, according to the National Institutes of Health. Even more, the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with oral cancer is only 60 percent, and experts warn that the disease can spread throughout the body at a fast pace.

For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial. At your regular appointment, your dentist may conduct an exam to check for the presence of cancer. Read on to learn what to expect. Before the exam, your dentist will ask you to remove any dentures and relax so your face, neck, lips, and mouth can be checked. The dentist will then use his hands to feel for any lumps under your jaw or along the side of your neck. He will also look at your tongue and the inside of your cheeks and lips for any noticeable signs of cancer, including red and white patches, swelling, or an abnormal texture.

Next, the dentist will use gauze to gently move your tongue so he can see the underside and base of the tongue. Finally, the roof and floor of your mouth, as well as the back of your throat, will also be examined. The entire exam takes only a few minutes and is entirely painless. Fortunately, this simple procedure can also help save your life. To learn more about the risks and symptoms, or request an oral cancer screening, talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts - dental plan.

What is burning mouth syndrome?

Imagine waking up, going about your day, and suddenly feeling like your tongue, lips and mouth are scalding. You didn’t burn your mouth on any hot liquids, but it certainly feels like it. Then, you notice numbness on the tip of your tongue and start tasting metal. This is a reality for the thousands of people who have burning mouth syndrome. Originally thought to have been caused by psychological issues like anxiety, burning mouth syndrome still baffles dentists and doctors with its varying nature.

Burning mouth syndromeis a chronic problem that most often occurs in middle-aged or older women. It can last for years and may either present as constant pain or come and go in cycles. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, burning mouth syndrome has a host of possible causes, including hormonal changes (such as during menopause), nutritional deficiencies, acid reflux, and damage to the nerves that control pain and taste. Research has shown that many people with chronic burning mouth syndrome develop depression or anxiety disorders, which makes treatment and awareness even more important.

Testing for burning mouth syndrome may include blood work and allergy testing. In some cases, patients develop burning mouth syndrome due to an allergic reaction to their denture materials. Once diagnosed, treatment varies depending on the patient’s symptoms. Examples include treating a corroborating disease such as diabetes; switching prescription medication; replacing dentures; prescribing nutritional supplements; and recommending medication to treat depression. NIDCR also suggests several self-treatments to relieve the pain caused by burning mouth syndrome, such as drinking water frequently; avoiding acidic foods and mouthwashes with alcohol; chewing sugarless gum; sucking on ice chips; and brushing your teeth with baking soda and water.

It is also important to avoid alcohol and tobacco. If you suspect you may suffer from burning mouth syndrome, schedule an appointment with your True Dental Discounts dentist immediately and work with him or her to relieve your symptoms. Your dentist can suggest alternate pain-management methods and help you determine a possible cause.

What are taste disorders and their causes?

It’s easy to take your sense of taste for granted: you know grapefruits will be sour, mashed potatoes will be buttery and starchy, and ice cream will be sweet. But what if you could no longer experience those tastes as strongly – or at all? According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, nearly a quarter of a million people visited a doctor last year for problems with their chemical senses, including taste.

Several types of taste disorders exist, including phantom perception, which causes a person to experience a lingering, unpleasant taste with no apparent cause; hypogeusia, which reduces a person’s ability to experience the basic types of taste – salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami; and ageusia, which results in no tasting ability whatsoever. It’s important to note that complete loss of taste is not common; it is more likely that the person has a condition resulting in the loss of smell, which is closely related to the sense of taste.

Causes of taste disorders vary widely. Although it can be a congenital condition existing at birth, many people experience a loss of taste after certain types of injuries and sickness. According to NIDCD, these include: upper respiratory and middle ear infections; exposure to radiation therapy near the head or neck; exposure to insecticides or chemicals found in certain medications; injury to the head; and surgeries on the ear, nose or throat, including tooth extraction. Taste disorders can also be caused by tooth decay and poor oral hygiene.

For this reason, it is important to visit your True Dental Discounts dentist every six months and take care of any issues in your teeth or mouth. It could mean the difference between tasting a delicious strawberry and chewing on a bland piece of fruit!