Oral Thrush

Thrush is a medical condition in which a yeast-shaped fungus called Candida overgrows in the mouth and throat. Normally, Candida exists in the mouth in small numbers along with various kinds of good bacteria, but when this balance is disrupted, an infection will occur. Thrush most commonly occurs in elderly patients who wear dentures, but it can also occur in children. Dr. Cynthia Wong would like to explain this condition and assure you that it is preventable as well as treatable.

Thrush often occurs in people with weakened immune systems. It’s not unusual for infants to develop this condition, and it’s usually not serious unless the infection persists for more than a week. Symptoms of a thrush infection include white patches in the mouth or tongue that may bleed, redness or soreness inside the mouth, or painful cracks in the corners of the mouth. Treatment for thrush depends on the cause and the severity of the infection.

If you have questions or concerns about thrush, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Mouth Sores and Orthodontics

Braces have improved a lot over the years, but traditional metal braces still have the ability to cause discomfort. When a dental appliance such as traditional braces, or even Invisalign, rubs against the cheek, mouth sores may occur. Dr. Cynthia Wong may recommend orthodontic wax to relieve irritation, but she can discuss treatment options with you if they become persistent.

Mouth sores can be quite painful, especially when talking or eating your food. To minimize the pain, you should always avoid spicy foods and foods with sharp edges such as chips, or crackers. If you have a loose orthodontic wire or a denture that doesn’t fit, you should contact Dr. Wong immediately to discuss your treatment options. Depending on the cause, Dr. Wong will adjust, reposition, or reattach existing wires or brackets. To ease the discomfort of your mouth sores before your appointment, you may want to take over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil or apply an over-the-counter topical anesthetic to numb the area.

If you suffer from persistent mouth sores, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Denture Pain

Denture pain typically stems from poor fitting or poorly adjusted dentures. It may also be a result of new dentures, worn over soft tissues that have not developed thick, toughened layers of protective keratin. If you are experiencing gum and mouth irritation, problems eating and speaking, mouth infections and/or dentures that move around in your mouth, give Dr. Cynthia Wong a call to discuss your treatment options.

If you wear dentures, it is very important you keep your mouth clean and healthy. In addition, you should never experience pain when wearing your dentures. If you do experience pain from your dentures and this discomfort is not treated by speaking slowly, eating soft foods or using an adhesive, your dentures may need to be replaced. At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, we have plenty of tooth-replacement options for you to choose from if dentures aren’t working out.

If you have dentures that are causing you pain, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Benefits of Dentures

At Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, we recommend dentures to patients who have missing teeth but do not want to undergo an invasive procedure such as dental implants. Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While these mouthpieces might take some getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as your natural teeth, today’s dentures are natural looking and more comfortable than ever before.

If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you ever could without teeth. There are different types of dentures, but they each type offers the same overall benefits. For example, when you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you appear older than you actually are. Dentures can also improve your appearance and smile, because, without support from the denture, facial muscles can sag, making a person look older. If you already have dentures, be sure that you are taking proper care of them.

If you are missing teeth and would like to discuss your treatment options, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our office, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.