DRY MOUTH

June, 2012 »  

Dry Mouth —  

Have you been experiencing an unusually dry mouth?  Not only is this irritating, but it can also stir up trouble with your oral health.


Believe it or not, saliva helps aid your mouth in preventing tooth decay by washing away food and neutralizing plaque acids that can eat away your enamel and cause extensive decay.

Saliva also helps you to taste and swallow your food, aids digestion of food due to enzymes, and lubricates your throat and soft tissues, helping to ward off infection.

One of the main culprits that lead to a dry mouth is medication.  We have found at Szmanda Dental that numerous patients who have had healthy teeth previously and are suddenly diagnosed with numerous cavities are afflicted with dry mouth.  They had not been informed of this side effect caused by the medication they were taking.  Here is a list of common medications that can cause dry mouth:

• Antianxiety (Lorazepam, Hydroxyzine, Valium/Diazepam, Xanax)
• Anticonvulsant (Tegretol, Felbatol)
• Antidepressant (Prozac, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Sinequan)
• Antidiarrhetic (Imodium/Ioperamide)
• Antihistamine (Benadryl, Claritin, Dimetapp)
• Antihypertensive (Captopril, Serpasil)
• Anti-inflammatory (Advil, Motrin, Naproxen/Aleve)
• Antinausant (Dramamine)
• Antiparkinsonian (Akineton)
• Antipsychotic (Lithium, Thorazine, Thiothixene)
• Antispasmodic (Ditropan/oxybutynin)
• Bronchodilator (Albuterol, Atrovent)
• Decongestant (Sudafed/pseudoephedrine)
• Diuretic (Chlorothiazide, Furosemide/Lasix, Hydrocholothiazide)
• Muscle Relaxant (Norflex, Flexeril)
• Narcotic Analgesic (Demerol, Morphine/Contin)
• Sedative (Flurazepam, Temazepam, Triazolam)

If you find yourself dealing with dry mouth, Szmanda Dental Center recommends a few things to help you deal with this problem.  First of all, check with your doctor to see if your medication can be changed or adjusted.   Secondly, keep your mouth moist by constantly having water with you.  Have a bottle with you all day and keep water at your bedside.  Thirdly, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy.  This causes stimulation of saliva production.  And lastly, we suggest brushing with toothpaste that is specifically made for dry mouth.

We carry a product in our office called Prevident Dry Mouth.  It not only has a prescription strength fluoride which helps to prevent cavities, but it is also free of sodium lauryl sulfate (this chemical creates the foaming action in toothpaste) which can be hard on oral tissue, especially tissue already compromised by dry mouth.

If you have any questions or concerns about dry mouth, please feel free to ask any of the dentists or hygienists at Szmanda Dental Center.  We are more than happy to make suggestions to improve your oral health!


Information compiled from the Mayo Clinic, the ADA and Szmanda Dental Center Staff. © Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

TEETH CLEANING

May, 2012 »  

Why Should I Get My Teeth Cleaned? —  

We’ve all heard the expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  In some cases, that may be true, but not when it comes to your oral health.  The key to a healthy mouth is to take an active role in prevention.  Having your teeth cleaned two times a year can keep you on the right track for early detection of any oral problems and to prevent gum disease.

According to the American Dental Association, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  You may think that losing a few teeth here and there isn’t a big deal, but if you end up needing to replace those missing teeth, it can be costly.  It can also cause problems with your digestive tract.  Molars (back teeth) are your main chewers and if any of those are missing, that can lead to poor chewing quality of food, which in turn can lead to digestive problems.  If you aren’t able to chew your food properly, you end up swallowing larger pieces, and that can be harder for your body to process.  Having gum disease can also increase your risk of other health problems such as heart disease and strokes (please refer to our blog article, “Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body?")

We at Szmanda Dental Center understand that there are numerous reasons and circumstances as to why people don’t come in to see the dentist regularly.  We would like to make your visit with us as welcoming and comfortable as we can, whether you may have financial concerns or anxiety about seeing us.  Catching oral problems early is what will make those issues easier to deal with.  Seeing us every 6 months for a cleaning and exam may start you on the right track to having a healthy mouth which will end up saving you money in the long run and will hopefully make you look forward to your visits with us.

Regular check-ups are essential to your oral health.  Prevention and early detection are the key components to remember when thinking about your teeth and mouth. This will help to keep gum disease in check, you will be screened for oral cancer (refer to our blog article, “April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month”), and any problems you are having will be addressed and caught as soon as possible which will prevent dental emergencies for you.  And, don’t forget to do your part at home!  Brush your teeth at least two times a day and floss once a day.

When is the last time you had your teeth cleaned and checked?  If it’s been more than 6 months, give Szmanda Dental Center a call to schedule an appointment.  We look forward to seeing your smile!

Information provided by Szmanda Dental Center Staff. 

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

ORAL CANCER

April, 2012 »  

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month —  

You may not have known someone with oral cancer, but the incidence of it is on the rise.  Oral cancers can affect the tongue, cheeks, lips, gums and the hard or soft palate.  In the U.S. alone, approximately 100 people everyday will be diagnosed with a form of mouth cancer and 1 person will die from oral cancer every hour of the day. ¹

Oral cancers historically would afflict people who were over the age of 40, but it is now found that HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) is an oral cancer-causing agent in a younger age group.  This is the same virus that can cause cervical cancers 
in women.

Oral cancers also evolve due to chemical factors.  Those who choose to smoke, chew tobacco or consume alcohol are more likely to develop cancers of the mouth.  These types of lifestyles tend to develop oral cancer later in life due to the fact of prolonged exposure.

Another vehicle for oral cancer to strike is exposure to the sun.  Our lips, are of course part of our skin, so when you lather up with sunscreen, don’t forget a lip balm with an SPF.

According to the American Dental Association, signs to look for to detect oral cancer are:

·      A sore that bleeds easily or doesn’t heal

·      A color change in the tissues of the mouth

·      Any lump, rough spot, crust or thickening

·      Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the lips or mouth

·      Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving the jaw or tongue

On a positive note, oral cancer can now be detected easily.  By seeing your dentist regularly for exams, any changes in your mouth can be noted.  There may be areas in your mouth that look suspicious but a lot of the time, tend to be harmless, such as an area you may have bitten or burned.  Your dentist is trained to look for these things.  He or she may have you come back in a couple of weeks to recheck the area and you may or may not be sent to a specialist.  In general, if a suspicious looking area has not gone away in approximately 14 days, that would be the time to have a professional check it.  When detected early, the survival rate of oral cancer is 80-90%. ¹

Remember, there are numerous reasons to visit us at Szmanda Dental on a regular basis and this is obviously an important one.  Make sure you get on a 6 month dental hygiene schedule in which you will not only have clean teeth afterwards, but will have had an exam to check for things such as oral cancer.  Make an appointment at Szmanda Dental today!

Information compiled from the  ¹Oral Cancer Foundation, the ADA and Szmanda Dental Center Staff. 

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

SWEETS

March, 2012 »  

How Sweet It Is —   (part 1)

We all do it.  You’re thirsty.  Your kids are thirsty.  What’s the handiest thing to grab out of the refrigerator?  Soda.  It’s everywhere.  Even if you try to avoid it, it’s in the grocery checkout aisle, at the local pool, at work.  And of course, what goes best with your fast food burger?  That’s a no-brainer. 

Soft drinks are an American’s single biggest source of refined sugars accounting for 1/3 of their average intake. ¹   Let’s face it, it tastes good, it satisfies a craving, but essentially, there really is nothing of nutritional value in soda.

What effects does soda have on teeth?  Drinking regular soda often tends to promote tooth decay.  This happens because the teeth are coated with sugar water.  This is especially bad for frequent soda drinkers since the longer the sugar sits on tooth enamel, the worse its effect.  Sugar softens the enamel allowing cavities to form.  There is also a high acid content in soda, which causes tooth erosion.  Erosion can cause sensitivity to hot and cold things and could leave the tooth susceptible to decay. You may be thinking your chompers are safe because you drink diet soda, which contains no sugar.  Unfortunately, diet soda also has a high acid content, which, again, can cause erosion of tooth enamel.

And, let’s not forget how we all want our teeth to look bright and white.  Dark sodas are a contributor to staining of tooth enamel leaving our teeth with a not so shiny disposition.

Obviously the best thing to do is to try to avoid soda all together.  Drink something else.  We all know that water is an excellent thirst quencher and our bodies need it, a lot of it. 

But, if you can’t seem to stay away from that sugar laden little devil in a can, there are a few things that you should do to help prevent the problems that soda can cause which are recommended by the American Dental Association.  One thing, which is the most important, is to brush as soon as you can after drinking soda.  If you aren’t able to brush, rinse your mouth out with water.  Another thing you can do is to buy a fluoride rinse like ACT.  Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel.  You may even want to have a professional strength fluoride placed on your teeth at your dental visits.

Next time you have a craving for a soda, keep your teeth in mind and grab some water instead.  Your pearly whites will thank you.

Information compiled from the 1 Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Szmanda Dental Center Staff.  © Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

ORAL HEALTH

February, 2012 » 

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body?

Keeping your oral health in check is a great start to keeping the rest of your body in check also.  Believe it or not, the bacteria that can reside in your mouth can feed your body through your blood stream and affect numerous things.

You have probably heard or read about gum disease and its correlation with heart disease.   People who have gum disease are more likely to also experience coronary artery disease.  Oral bacteria from your mouth can travel to your heart causing inflammation of the arteries.  Any plaque that has formed in your arteries is a perfect target for bacteria to attach itself, in turn increasing the risk of a heart attack. 

A secondary occurrence from inflammation of the arteries is a stroke.  The pesky bacteria that attach to plaque in the heart can cause restricted airflow to the brain, which can lead to a stroke.

Another concern in relation to gum disease is the way your body can or can’t regulate blood sugar.  Research has shown that people who have gum disease and diabetes have a harder time keeping their blood sugar under control.

Periodontal disease can also lead to respiratory disease, which can cause difficulty breathing.  The oral bacteria from your mouth can be inhaled into your lungs, causing an infection.

A major concern for women who are pregnant and have gum disease is that they are more at risk for low birth weight babies due to premature births.  Oral bacteria can cause the body to go into premature labor.  A study, done at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill notes that oral disease can increase biological fluids that induce labor.  And even if you aren’t pregnant yet, but plan to be, those with gum disease can have a harder time conceiving.

In a nutshell, having a healthy mouth definitely can only benefit the rest of your body.  What are the basics?  Floss once a day (prior to brushing), brush twice a day and rinse with mouthwash.  It’s easy.  It takes only a few minutes and your body will thank you.  And while homecare is very important, it is also important to see your dentist regularly to have your teeth cleaned and examined to prevent problems from arising or to catch them when they are small.

Information compiled from the MSN Health, LE Magazine and Szmanda Dental Center Staff. 

© Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012

SEALANTS

January, 2012 »  

Sealants can be one of the greatest benefits 
to your child’s dental health — 

Back teeth have many pits and grooves that attract food debris and germs, which can harbor bacteria.  This can lead to tooth decay if not properly cleaned.  When a sealant is applied to a tooth, it acts as a barrier to germs, making it less likely that a cavity will form.

A sealant is a thin plastic material that is painted on to the chewing surface of the tooth.  It is then cured and hardened by using an ultraviolet light.  Sealants are typically placed on permanent back teeth, since these teeth are at a higher risk of decay due to grooved surfaces.

Sealants are affordable and can be invaluable for the decay prevention it offers.  Most insurance companies cover this procedure on a preventative basis; however, there may be age limitations and specific tooth limitations.  We can check with your dental plan if you have any questions.

Sealants can last for many years, especially if cared for properly with good oral hygiene.  At Szmanda Dental Center, sealants that have been placed at our office are checked at every cleaning visit to make sure they are still intact.  If a sealant has come off or worn away, we will replace it at no charge up until the age of 18.

Remember, brushing 2-3 times a day and flossing at least once a day is your and your child’s best line of defense in preventing decay.  However, sealants can be extremely beneficial in preventing decay where toothbrush bristles and floss can’t reach.

Information compiled from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association and Szmanda Dental Center Staff.  © Szmanda Dental Center, S.C. 2012