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Dentist
Q&A with our dentist
Dr Keith Cohen answers online readers' questions about gums turning white and whether anaesthetic will affect the breathing of a person who has asthma
White gums
Q: I have noticed that my gums on my lower jaw are white on one side of my mouth and seem to be quite hard. I have not noticed it before. I clean my teeth twice a day but don’t check my gums a lot. They seem to have receded a fair amount. What should I do? An acquaintance had the insides of her cheek transplanted on her gums and they looked really healthy. I am an NHS patient but haven’t been to the dentist since last year, after I was ill in hospital. Can my dentist do this procedure?
A: Dentists receive intensive training about the whole mouth and jaws, not just about treating the teeth. People who smoke often have some whitish patches in the mouth, although there are other causes. You should check with your dentist for the diagnosis and treatment. If he or she cannot help they will refer you to the appropriate specialist. Everbody's mouth is different so it is difficult to apply the procedure your friend received to yourself.
Anaesthesia and asthma worries
Q: I need a tooth out from the back of my lower jaw. And I’m worried about the anaesthetic freezing my tongue. I have asthma and I’m concerned it might affect my breathing. I am a very nervous person.
A: Normally local anaesthetic in the lower jaw will freeze one side of the tongue and jaw, although this sometimes can be avoided depending upon the treatment required. However, this is unlikely to induce an asthmatic attack. You should arrange a consultation appointment with your dentist and discuss your medical history and apprehensions beforehand so that he /she can suit the treatment to your needs.
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
