What is Bell’s palsy?

 

Bell’s palsy is a condition where episodes of facial muscle weakness or facial paralysis occur. This gets worse after 48 hours. It is usually on one side of the face. The 7^th cranial nerve is affected in this condition.

Symptoms of Bell’s palsy

·         Drooping face

·         Loss of expressions

·         Tears from one eye

·         No blinking of an eye

·         Loss of taste

·         Facial pain

·         Ear pain

·         Dry eyes

Causes of Bell’s palsy:

·         Bell’s palsy can occur at any age.

·         Commonly occurs at age 65 or above.

·         The ratio of males and females is equal.

·         Herpes simplex and Herpes zoster virus are common causes.

·         HIV/AIDS infection.

·         Middle ear infection.

The patient with Bell’s palsy is more susceptible to oral diseases such as:

·         Tooth decay

·         Salivary diseases such as xerostomia

·         Gum diseases like swollen gingiva

·         Salivary gland disorder 

Treatment:

To treat Bell’s palsy, meeting with a dentist can be beneficial. A dentist can perform routine cleanings to ensure a Bell’s palsy patient can avoid oral health problems. If the dentist identifies oral health issues, he or she can help the patient correct them, too. 

Here at TEETH CARE CENTRE, Dr. Pankti Patel who is the chief dentist and the most famous dentist in Ahmedabad performs an in-depth patient assessment to provide the best treatment possible.