Dana L. Yeoman, DDS
Dentures and Implants
Stroke Scare | Dana L. Yeoman, DDS
Site last published: 08/21/10
Stroke Scare
07/08/08 06:18
Recently a
favorite patient came in to see me very scared and
very depressed. Of all the hard knocks life had
dealt this sweet-natured lady, this seemed to be
the straw to break the camel's back. Having fought
a number of ailments, disabilities, and pain with
great courage and strength, she was horrified to
discover a recurring numbness on one side of her
face. She had no doubt that she must have had a
stroke.
Stroke
Scare
THE STORY
Recently a favorite patient came in to see me very scared and very depressed. Of all the hard knocks life had dealt this sweet-natured lady, this seemed to be the straw to break the camel's back. Having fought a number of ailments, disabilities, and pain with great courage and strength, she was horrified to discover a recurring numbness on one side of her face. She had no doubt that she must have had a stroke.
She had noticed that the numbness was connected to eating. After a meal, the lower half of her face on one side would feel numb. A few hours later, the sensation would wear off, only to be triggered again by another meal. Wondering how her mouth could be connected to this problem, she came in to ask advice.
THE EXPLANATION
This patient is not alone in her fear. Two other patients with similar stories came to see me in the same week. Many have come before, and several since. The symptoms include electrical shocks, numbness, and tingling sensations throughout one side of the jaw bone, or mandible.
Fortunately, the explanation is simple.
The nerve going to the lower lip, chin, and part of the cheek is called the Mental Nerve. The Mental nerve exits the mandible in an area about an inch behind the lower canines, down where the gums meet the cheek.
In all denture wearers, the lower ridge resorbs and gets shorter year after year. This causes the denture to settle further down the mandible. As this occurs, the outside flange of the denture begins to rub on where the Mental Nerve exits the mandible.
All goes well until it is necessary to bite a little extra hard on something. The shocking result is similar to what happens when the crazy bone is bumped on the elbow. Instead of the hand feeling numb, the sensation spreads in the face.
THE FIX
The fix is simple. No need to waste energy by panicking. It may be that just a straightforward adjustment is needed on the denture. Or perhaps, if the dentures have been worn for many years, it may indicate that it is time for new dentures. Either option is a whole lot better than discovering a serious stroke!
THE CONCLUSION
In two minutes my patient's problem was solved by an anatomically accurate denture adjustment. She could bite and chew as she pleased without any twinges of pain or numbness. We were both relieved, and laughed at what a terrible stroke scare one little nerve can cause.
Dana L. Yeoman, D.D.S.
Second Smile Denture Care
3301 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661-325-1263
THE STORY
Recently a favorite patient came in to see me very scared and very depressed. Of all the hard knocks life had dealt this sweet-natured lady, this seemed to be the straw to break the camel's back. Having fought a number of ailments, disabilities, and pain with great courage and strength, she was horrified to discover a recurring numbness on one side of her face. She had no doubt that she must have had a stroke.
She had noticed that the numbness was connected to eating. After a meal, the lower half of her face on one side would feel numb. A few hours later, the sensation would wear off, only to be triggered again by another meal. Wondering how her mouth could be connected to this problem, she came in to ask advice.
THE EXPLANATION
This patient is not alone in her fear. Two other patients with similar stories came to see me in the same week. Many have come before, and several since. The symptoms include electrical shocks, numbness, and tingling sensations throughout one side of the jaw bone, or mandible.
Fortunately, the explanation is simple.
The nerve going to the lower lip, chin, and part of the cheek is called the Mental Nerve. The Mental nerve exits the mandible in an area about an inch behind the lower canines, down where the gums meet the cheek.
In all denture wearers, the lower ridge resorbs and gets shorter year after year. This causes the denture to settle further down the mandible. As this occurs, the outside flange of the denture begins to rub on where the Mental Nerve exits the mandible.
All goes well until it is necessary to bite a little extra hard on something. The shocking result is similar to what happens when the crazy bone is bumped on the elbow. Instead of the hand feeling numb, the sensation spreads in the face.
THE FIX
The fix is simple. No need to waste energy by panicking. It may be that just a straightforward adjustment is needed on the denture. Or perhaps, if the dentures have been worn for many years, it may indicate that it is time for new dentures. Either option is a whole lot better than discovering a serious stroke!
THE CONCLUSION
In two minutes my patient's problem was solved by an anatomically accurate denture adjustment. She could bite and chew as she pleased without any twinges of pain or numbness. We were both relieved, and laughed at what a terrible stroke scare one little nerve can cause.
Dana L. Yeoman, D.D.S.
Second Smile Denture Care
3301 19th Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Tel: 661-325-1263