Ask the doctor - oral health

Sunlight triggers my cold sores

I get a cold sore on my lips most summers. I’ve heard that light therapy can help, but aren’t they triggered by sunlight?

Triggers for recurring cold sores include ultraviolet light, stress and fatigue. The new light treatment – phototherapy – uses a special red light, which doesn’t create heat or burn the skin. It increases blood flow to the affected area and stimulates the activity of local immune cells. Clinical trials showed that phototherapy halved normal recovery time, so that almost 60 per cent completely healed within five days, and 80 per cent within seven days. Treating at the first sign of a sore can also prevent it developing. Try Bio-Stick, a battery-powered device that produces red light and allows you to target your cold sore as soon as you see it coming. You simply place it against the sore and apply red light for two minutes, two or three times a day. It’s also helpful for treating mouth ulcers. It’s priced £34.95 from www.anhealth.co.uk or 0870 350 1264.

Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima 

My toothbrush quandary

How often should I change my toothbrush?

Ideally, once every three months. Every time you clean your teeth, your brush picks up lots of bacteria and decaying food particles, which encourage their growth. Even worse, hundreds of thousands of germs are sprayed into the air when the toilet is flushed, so put the lid down beforehand if you have a loo in the bathroom. The VioClean UV Toothbrush Steriliser kills germs using an ultra-violet light that is automatically activated for six minutes when you insert your brush and close the case. (£13.99 plus p&p from www.vioclean.co.uk or call 0845 800 1111).
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima

Help, my gums are receding!

What will help my receding gums? Despite seeing my dentist and flossing regularly, my gums are starting to recede, especially around my front crowns. Can anything prevent this?

Receding gums are common as you get older - hence the saying ‘long in the tooth'. Good dental hygiene is vital, and your dentist can advise you on using electric toothbrushes designed to reduce plaque, and refer you to a hygienist to have the pockets between the gums and teeth cleaned. You'll find it helpful to use Gengigel (from pharmacies), which is a lemonbalm-flavoured oral gel containing hyaluronic acid. When applied externally, it hydrates the gums and stimulates production of collagen to promote new gum formation, and significantly reduces redness and inflammation (gingivitis). Diseased gum tissue contains reduced levels of coenzyme Q10 compared with healthy gum tissue, so CoQ10 supplements can also help. A clinical trial disease found that taking 60mg CoQ10 daily for 12 weeks significantly improved gum disease.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima
 

My ulcers are a pain

I suffer from sore mouth ulcers when I’m stressed. I take vitamin C and have no dental problems. What could be causing them?

Stress-related mouth ulcers may be cold sores (due to the herpes simplex virus) or aphthous ulcers (canker sores). These ulcers have been linked with hypersensitivity to sodium lauryl sulphate, the foaming agent in toothpaste (switch to an SLS-free brand such as Urtekram), gluten intolerance, artificial sweeteners, lack of B vitamins and iron deficiency. Assuming yours are aphthous ulcers, the most effective treatment I’ve found is Gengigel (from pharmacies). This soothing gel coats the ulcer, relieving pain and promoting healing. If you’re stressed, try a herbal remedy, such as Siberian ginseng to help you cope.
Dr Sarah Brewer, Prima

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