Dr Karl Le Roux

Difficulty to open mouth

This is a real nightmare that can come from various sources.

1. You just are like that, and have always been like that. No traumatic incident, no operation. It is the way you are. This is very complex and difficult to treat. A x-ray of the joints of your jaw can help to identify if there is a mechanical (cartlidge) obstruction. There are some exercises that can be performed, but the cause of this needs to be identified.

2. Infection around impacted wisdom teeth. The restriction of opening will be a gradual onset. An x-ray can confirm this and sadly, removal of wizzies can’t solve the problem. Luckily, this TM joint problem can be treated.

3. Dislocation of one of the TM joint disks. This usually presents with clicking on opening or on closing the jaw. (with translation or reduction) This one is a real little bu**er. Treatment is complex and extreme cases can be operated on by a specific surgeon.

4. The secret is, to treat your TM joints with respect.

Do not get hit on the joint with a fist.
No not over stretch your mouth without reason.
Do not try to fit a tennis ball in your mouth. Respect it!

Local Anesthesia

With modern local anesthetics, risk to unwanted reactions is very low, providing you stay well within prescribed volumes injected to a patient, as indicated per kg of the person.

We often hear a patient remark that they are allergic to adrenaline. This is not possible as your own body provides you daily with lots of adrenaline from adrenal glands on top of your kidneys. Allergy can only from other components in head health. A bit of heart palpitation as local anesthetic is applied, is quite normal. The best way to counter this, is to have something to eat before having the local anesthetic.

Local anesthetic in dentistry, with correct application, is LOCAL. The raw anesthetic in it is safer and allows for gradual breakdown by your body. A child under 12 years, can, in any case, not receive non-vaso considered local anesthetic.

Dr le Roux

Train hard — protect harder!

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337 Brooklyn Rd, Brooklyn,
Pretoria, 0011

Brushing your teeth!

Many years ago, a colleque of mine, Dr. Erasmus, did electron microscoping studies of “the best toothbrush” brand, and found their claim to fame, very wrong. The shape of a brush’s hair, has very little to do with the efficiency of cleaning your teeth.

Scrubbing your teeth sideways, has the same effect as a belt sander on your teeth. It takes time to prove. Circular movements with a toothbrush, is equally ineffective. Up and down movements is only good when skipping rope in the gym. There is only ONE proper way to brush, and it is the stillman’s technique. It is the only way, regardless what companies show in TV adverts. Nothing else is effective, no matter which toothbrush or what toothpaste.

Google it and apply it, with daily flossing. I will say again… Nothing else works, unless you feel comfortable with the belt sander in your mouth. Problem is, it is a bit hard on your lips also, so try Stillman’s and floss.

Oh, and by the way, try bamboo brushes and let’s move away from plastic. Fish will love you for that.

Deciduous teeth really have a bad adult card!

They are temporary, need to maintain space for permanent teeth, they decay easily and are exchanged for money when they are not usable any more.

Regardless, it is vitally important to keep them pleased (every day) and decay free. The problem is that children can not floss. Adults must do that for the child.

Decay form easily due to this and a bit of decay can, within 6 months, turn into an abscess. This is then treated with a pulpotomy, which is a half witted adult tooth root canal.

Pulpotomy is done because the primary tooth only has a limited, very short lifetime. It will be pushed out by the permanent tooth in good time.

The important parts are to help the adult abscess heal and keep space for the permanent, soon to follow, tooth. Remember, also, to not involve the Toothmouse and Father Christmas in your child’s education.

It will cost you!