AboutJoel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS Expertise I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and I am available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.
Experience Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicine for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor and State University School of Dentistry.
Organizations American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education/Credentials BA
DMD
Awards and Honors National Honor Society (OKU), Philadelphia County Dental Society, Mosby Book Award, Oral Surgery Honors, Summa Cum Laude
Question Thank you for your suggestion. The roof of my mouth looks and feels like it did last time I had oral thrush. This has been going on for a week now. The roof feels thick in some places when I feel it with my tongue but I can't feel any lumps when I feel it with my finger. The thick feeling comes and goes too. I wake up and its a little pinkish/red and gets somewhat brighter thru out the day. The roof of my mouth is also a little sore/tender in the area of where it is pinkish/reddish but when I press on that area with my finger, the color looks normal then it goes back to being pinkish/reddish. I also have a few whitish looking spots within that area that I can rub off. Last time this happened, my dentist didn't even think of oral thrush - he thought maybe a food or liquid burn but you suggested maybe thrush so he gave me Nystatin rinse and it disappeared. Can you offer any other suggestions on what it could be? Does this sound like something serious (cancer)? Do you suggest I go see my dentist? Thank you for always taking the time to answer my questions and for being patient with me. I just feel like I am at my witts end.
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Followup To
Question -
Hi, I'm sure you remember me!!! Anyway, is there any way that one can prevent oral thrush from happening again? I'm just curious since I eat at least one yogurt daily along with taking Acidophilus tablets twice a day. I just feel like I am at my witts end with this dry mouth stuff because the dry mouth seems to come in episodes along with the burning feeling. I don't really feel that anixous and panic anymore - I actually haven't that way in a long time. I guess I am just looking for guidance or suggestions on how to solve (deal with) this dry mouth and what seems to be oral thrush every now and then. If you can please offer any advice. Thank you very much for your time.
P.S. I do plan on getting back into therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.
Answer -
Tara - how are you sure that it is, in fact, oral thrush. Without a culture you cannot be sure. You may just be having a normal irritation that occurs from a dry mouth.
I would suggest an artificial saliva substitue called Saleze. It may help with the dry mouth.
Answer Tara - I suggest that you see an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who is well versed in the treatment and diagnosis of chronic oral irritations. You are spinning your wheels with me in that I cannot directly examine your situation to set you on the right path.
