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Chicago, IL
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SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Dentistry
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
137 Answers
1 Agree
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Probably not: The glands on the back of your tongue are usually taste buds. They can appear to change size normally but since you say they aren't inflamed or sore,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Possibly: It could also just be the end of the ducts for salivary glands under the tongue. Depends upon their size and position. See your dentist if it concer... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Not necessarily: The tongue problem should not be related to the pregnancy. You may be just rubbing your tongue against your front teeth due to tension, etc. This wil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Does undiagnosed long term sleep apnea cause low 02 blood sat. rates even when person is not asleep?
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Not usually: Sleep apnea causes a decreased blood oxygen level during period of the actual apnea. It usually does not carry over to the waking hours of the day. C... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 53-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Treatment?: Doing a biopsy is not treatment, it is daignosis. Once you know what you have then it can be treated. Many time a steroid rinse is prescribed. Go se... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Unknown: The symptoms other than the weight loss and constipation probably are related to the acid reflux. Treat this first and see what happens.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Topical fluoride : Go to your dentist and have Fluoride varnishes when you get your teeth cleaned. Enamel does sometimes wear down with biting forces and/or over brushi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Remove it: Get it out very gently or see an md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
No: I've never heard of any instances of this.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Still infected: The area is still infected and probably needs another dose of antibiotics.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Yes: I would definitely recommend seeing a sleep specialist for an evaluation. This will probably include an overnight sleep study to try to identify the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Taste buds: These are some of the larger taste buds on your tongue.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Thrush: This may be the symptoms of a yeast infection. See your md or dds for medication. What does "there white" mean? Did you mean that they are white bu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
NO: There is no narcotic in zoloft (sertraline). Why your tongue "feel kinda numb" is unknown but probably not related to the zoloft (sertraline).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
DUH : You don't have to be a mental giant to come up with the same conclusions you did. Carry this a bit further, are you getting over anything? If not th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 70-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Yes: Excess mucous and/or more viscous mucous and/or a post nasal drip can make you feel as if there is something stuck in your throat causing you to have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Brush your tongue: Most people breath through their mouths at some point and that causes bad breath. 90% of bad breath comes from poor oral hygiene and not scraping and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Yes: A pulled muscle will affect the adjacent muscles. The muscles that you mention are part of the longitudinal muscle support for your body so when one ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Definitely: Most dental fillings and especially all ceramic fillings are hardened right at the chairside so there is no effect when eating on them later. The rea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Perhaps: The answer really lies with the technique in the sense that you need to evaluate the particular situation that the procedure is used in. If used corre... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Warm salt water: What are your "tips"? Warm salt water or any of the baby teething gels are good to numb it. It will just take some time to heal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Probably not: If it was just a bang and you didn't lose consciousness then just wait it out. Of course your going to be sore. You just used your head in a very con... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Denture cleanser: Place them in a denture cup with denture cleanser. I do not feel that a regular toothbrush and normal toothpaste will adversely affect your retainer.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Not usually: In the short time right after surgery you will have some discomfort. The rest depends upon the surgeon and the extent of the surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Absolutely no idea: If the test is taken right away after the kiss i suppose that it is possible. Otherwise i would assume that the chemicals have to be in the blood sys... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Yes: You might need a treader, which is a plastic type holder that looks like a soft needle to thread the floss between the teeth under the attachments.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Possibly: Get your teeth cleaned and learn how to brush and floss so that your gums don't bleed and get ahead of the situation.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 42-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Nerve problems: Sounds like a neurological problem. Best advice is to see an md.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Biting your tongue: You probably bit your tongue during sleep. This is your second question regarding tongue problems. What is really going on?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Go see a dentist: Why have you waited so long to seek care. It may be a gum abscess from food impaction or it could be a periodontal infection. See a dds.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Warm salt water: Rinse it out with warm salt water every few hours and wait 2 weeks and it will go away by itself.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
What is the question: If your tongue feels tired then stop talking. You have many muscles in your neck so i cannot answer this. Perhaps you just sprained your neck or twi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
See your DDS: This type of sensitivity is usually due to either biting trauma or exposed root surfaces. Biting trauma may be resolved with a night guard. Root sens... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Antartica: You will not damage your nerves with cold food alone. Ice chewing can make your teeth fracture though.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Doubtful.: In this day and age it is very unlikely. Is it an upper or lower tooth. Upper back teeth may affect your sinus. Lower teeth aren't connected to your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Stress: You may have a lot of stress, a week immune system of the canker sores may be caused by a sharp tooth and actually be a stress ulcer and not the virus... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Call your DDS: Your dds can prescribe a topical steroid rinse or salve that may help soothe this problem. In the interim go to a pharmacy and purchase some baby tee... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Baby teething salves: Use this since it numbs the area and also check to see whether or not you have a sharp tooth adjacent to this irritation. Otherwise expect it to take... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
No: Are you strange? Why do you chew your tongue near carpeting? How do you get around in this world where many facilities are carpeted?
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Yes: The normal number of teeth including wisdom teeth is 32. Most people do not keep or have their wisdom teeth so 28 is the normal number. Some people ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Low: The incidence of lichen planus turning into some type of oral skin cancer is very low according to my opinion. I have never seen a case study where a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed Dec 18, 2021
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
No: There is nothing that you can put on the back of your throat that you will not swallow immediately or gag up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Call your DDS: Call the oral surgeon that extracted your tooth. You may have what is called a "dry socket" where the blood clot that was in the extraction site came... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
No: This is not a real problem it is just a condition that some people have, like having freckles. There is nothing wrong with this diagnosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
What's the question?: The bumps on the back of your tongue are probably just your one of your taste glands. The swollen tonsils indicate some type of reaction to inflammati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
NO: Ulcers and/or sores that appear in one day and gone the next are not ulcers. Hiv or canker sores last for weeks and are never gone overnight.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Allergies: I can understand a swollen tongue but I have never heard of swollen nerve endings. Anything that can irritate your tongue will cause swelling. This ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
NO: Dental hygienists use a drill instrument when they polish your teeth but they are not allowed to cause any irreversible changes in tooth structure. Th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Prevention: Do not go near anyone with open sores on any part of their body.
Warm water rinses and child teething salves.
Mainly time, 2 weeks for full healing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
Dr. Martin Hirschanswered
51 years experience
Perhaps: If you are having sensitivity on multiple teeth and you are considering waiting 2 weeks to seek help then the problem is not that important or debilit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
143
Thank you notes
Mar 23, 2015
Great doctor. Consistently gives thoughtful, insightful and expert advice.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Hirsch is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Hirsch is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Once all of the above has been done including dental surgery how do I prevent it from getting any worse?
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you. I thought it was a bit of a coincidence! Cheers!
HealthTap member
Yeah... I think your WAY wrong buddy. Don't think I'm crazy. This is not a habit!!!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Univ of Penn college of medical dentistry
Graduated 1972MD
Awards
Top Dentist, Second Place, Illinois - Winter
2013
Top Dentist, Second Place, Illinois - Summer
2013
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