Treating Dry Mouth

Posted by drgracesun on October 21, 2009 under Healthy Smile | Be the First to Comment

My husband is an avid snow skier, and has been hitting the slopes since he was 16 years old. Now, in his late 60s, the joints in his back have become dislocated, and eventually became herniated. The rough sport has taken its toll on his back – he has had five (yes, five) back surgeries over the past several years, and as a result, his many surgeries have left him with a constant, staggering pain – an all too common scenario with athletic individuals, especially in the sports medicine field. Having tried several medications (without much luck), he finally came across Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant that works for him. Taking the edge off of the pain however hasn’t come without its price – xerostomia, or dry mouth, is the major side effect which my husband – and many others – have a hard time dealing with.

Cotton mouth, dry mouth – xerostomia has many names, but the feelings associated with a dry, parched mouth and throat are all the same. Xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands of the mouth do not function as they should, and provide a less-than-adequate supply of saliva into the mouth. In the instance I mentioned above, xerostomia is not just a medical condition that derives from poor oral hygiene or bad dietary habits, but can be a unpleasant side effect from prescription medication. As  explained in an earlier blog post on toothmingle.com about dry mouth, xerostomia can stem from over 400 prescription and OTC medications, including anti-depressants, anti-hypertensives, painkillers (like Cyclobenzaprine) tranquilizers, analgesics, diuretics and antihistamines.

In most cases, as it was with my husband, the dry mouth side effect is more than acceptable, as his back pain was debilitating – but there are steps one can take to help alleviate xerostomia. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can parch the oral cavity , leeching moisture and making the effects of xerostomia even more pronounced than normal. Dry and salty foods, processed foods (such as potato chips, candy and doughnuts) will also cause the mouth to become dry and parched. Smoking will also leave the mouth overly dry and uncomfortable (not to mention its devastating effects on your teeth and lungs).

Drinking water will definitely help curb dry mouth, so take small sips of quality water often. The important things to realize is how important it is to keep your oral hygiene in top condition.  Oftentimes, the random decay associated with dry mouth is hard to treat; fluoride treatment at home or at a dental office is a good idea. Keeping a humidifier in your bedroom can also help to eliminate some discomfort with dry mouth.

There are over the counter and prescription drugs available to eliminate symptoms and signs of dry mouth; if home remedies and correction of your diet and habits does not solve the problem, consult with your dental or medical professional.

“Is Your Oral Health Declining?”

Posted by drgracesun on June 1, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

Has the global credit crunch put its vice grip on your life? Whether you are hurting in these tough financial times or not, stress is a factor many people have a hard time escaping, and with stress comes habits which can be potentially damaging to your oral health. Cleaning your teeth twice daily with floss and your tooth brush is no doubt important, especially after meals, but what else can you do to keep your mouth clean and healthy in a stressful climate?

Lower stress levels will benefit your oral health!

The global economic crisis has no doubt taken its toll on Americans and global citizens alike, whether that toll is financial stress, family burdens or career changes. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are among the most common de-stressers in popular American culture, and although these practices may temporarily relieve some of your mental tension, they can create serious problems in your mouth. I have previously discussed the dangers of alcohol in the mouth (and its tendency to increase one’s likelihood of developing oral cancer) as well as the respiratory , cardiovascular and general connective tissue problems associated with smoking cigarettes, but stress often leads to a combination of bad habits and bad oral hygiene.

The best way to avoid declining oral health, of course, is to limit or substitute activities which can damage your health, like smoking and drinking. However, if you find this to be too difficult to overcome (especially in a recession when no job is 100% secure), at least stay vigilant with your daily oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss after every meal, and after drinking or smoking. The idea of brushing your teeth after having a drink may not be appetizing at first, but the acidity from the alcohol will erode your precious teeth away! Keeping up on your oral hygiene routine could also help de-stress your financial life as well: taking care of your mouth can lead to reduced cavity occurrences, less sensitivity, and fewer overall dental problems which will save you money in the long run.

Finally, besides having a healthier diet and an optimistic outlook, regular exercise will help keep yourself in good shape! Keep up your teeth cleanings and check-ups – these are crucial. If you are overdue on a dental cleaning, schedule a visit now!  Visiting your dental professional is key in identifying problem areas in your hygiene routine, possible cavities or severe night grinding (which causes excessive wear of your teeth (or other issues)) are usually undetectable without professional consultation. Early detection and preventive measures will prevent costly repair work down the line!

“What about eating disorders?”

Posted by drgracesun on February 18, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Smart Smile | Be the First to Comment

“I am scared! Am I going to loose my teeth?”

I looked at Jenny, as I have with many similar pretty young ladies, and really felt for her.

“Jenny, you will be fine – you are here to make sure you can have a healthy and beautiful smile. It is challenging, but work with me – together we can get your mouth back in shape.” And we did.

Jenny is not alone. Among the susceptible figure-conscious young female group, eating disorders are quite common, and teeth erosion is a side effect of the acidic oral environment resulting from either purging or a poor diet.

Eating disorders, including bulimia (binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting), anorexia and poor dieting habits carry side effects which are detrimental to your bodily and mental well being – they can also rot your teeth. Studies have shown that up to 2.1% of males and 7.3% of females purge (self-induced vomiting) at least once a week, and the numbers are even higher for adolescents.

Tooth surface loss from erosion caused by chemicals such as dietary, gastric or environmental acids typically wear away tooth enamel, which leads to sensitive teeth, caries or gum disease. If untreated, these effects can exacerbate leading to teeth grinding and gastric reflux disease. Soft tissue lesions, malnutrition,  a suppressed immune system, low self-esteem, an addictive personality (smoking, drinking or drugs), peptic ulcers and esophagitis are common among people who suffer from bulimia and anorexia. Oral damage from such disorders can include a severe breakdown of the teeth or their supporting structures which can affect the facial muscular system, negatively affecting your daily quality of life; the effort to restore a damaged mouth can become extremely challenging and costly.

Treatment of the problem, besides education and being supportive to the person suffering from the disorder, involves precise dental management; controlling the oral environment, drinking water or healthier juice instead of diet soda, eating healthier (as opposed to binge eating and purging) are all part of the solution. Getting prescription strength fluoride from your dentist to harden and desensitize your teeth and maintaining your oral hygiene by brushing and flossing at least twice a day is also crucial. if you regurgitate or vomit, rinse your mouth out right away. Adding baking soda to your brushing can also neutralize the acidic environment.

Regarding dental treatment, additive composite bonding to cover exposed dentin or to replace lost tooth surface is a possibility. Getting a custom-fitted night guard to prevent further loss of tooth structure from bruxism and maybe veneers or crowns to restore your mouth to ideal health are other possibilities. Of course, a professional assessment would be the first step of the process. The earlier you start treating the problem the better. A healthy mouth is essential for a healthy life.

Economic Recession = Gum Recession

Posted by drgracesun on February 8, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information | Be the First to Comment

Economic recession = gum recession.

Lose job = loose teeth.

These two analogies went through my mind while I was writing my last blog on gum disease, feeling the overwhelming impact of our falling economy!

It might seem like common sense that stress can take a toll on our health, but often we don’t think about what specific implications stress can have. Only weeks ago, Mahesh Verma, principal of the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences said “Growing economic stress among people has a deep damaging impact on teeth and heart. Recent studies have found that financial stress is one of the major cause of increasing dental problems.”

The damage begins when chemical triggers block your immune function, inhibiting your body’s natural defense mechanisms and deplete your teeth supporting bones of calcium and other necessities in order to maintain blood mineral levels. These triggers, brought on by stress (such as an economic recession), can worsen over time and indeed cause gum disease, in addition to a host of other medical maladies! The stress can also lead to poor diet and lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking), further damaging your health.

let’s hope today’s economical crunch has less impact on tomorrow’s public health!

Take home message: besides stress management, take charge of your own dental health, spend the full (read: required!) two minutes on oral hygiene brushing and flossing your teeth. Eat healthy, think positive and get ready for a better tomorrow.