What causes Dry Mouth?

By Dr. William Walden

           

         There are many causes of dry mouth, but the most common cause is medications. Dry mouth is the main side effect of many prescription and nonprescription medications, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives. As well as many diseases themselves cause dry mouth, such as, Sjögren's syndrome, salivary gland diseases, sleep apnea, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps. Eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia can also lead to dry mouth. 

       People that undergo any type of chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the head or neck region will have dry mouth due to damage to the salivary glands. Nerve damage can also occur in the head and neck region from injury or surgery that can damage the function of salivary glands. Some individuals may even have to have their salivary glands surgically removed for different medical reasons. There are many lifestyle habits that can lead to dry mouth as well, such as, chewing tobacco, smoking, mouth breathing, being under a lot of stress or anxiety, and dehydration.

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Free Sedation and 50% off Implants, offer ends October 17, 2014

Do you experience fear, anxiety, or high stress just thinking about going to the dentist? You are not alone! Sedation Dentistry may be the solution for you as it has been for thousands of our patients over the years! By utilizing Oral Conscious Sedation or IV Sedation your dental treatment can be comfortable. Sedation also saves our patients time by allowing us to do a lot of dental work in just one visit.

Replace Those Missing Teeth and Ill-Fitting Dentures with a Natural Look. Dental Implants have changed the way patients have to cope with the loss of teeth. A dental implant is the most effective and long-lasting way to replace missing or broken-down teeth. They look and feel natural giving you your confidence back.

Are you missing teeth, have severely broken down teeth, or worried about your denture falling out of your mouth? If so, dental implants are the solution. At Paducah Dental Care, we offer our patients a variety of implants that are catered to their needs, lifestyle and the bone structure of your mouth.

One of the best things about dental implants is that they reduce the bone loss that occurs when a tooth is lost. When the implant fuses with the bone it prevents the bone from shrinking. Dental implants are highly successful and even more important, affordable.

 

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Isn't it great to know you can relax in the dentist chair? If you are interested in Sedation please give us a call at 270-444-6414. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more! 

Sedation

Do you experience fear, anxiety, or high stress just thinking about going to the dentist? You are not alone! Sedation Dentistry may be the solution for you as it has been for thousands of our patients over the years! By utilizing Oral Conscious Sedation or IV Sedation your dental treatment can be comfortable. Sedation also saves our patients time by allowing us to do a lot of dental work in just one visit.

 

Oral Sedation

Our dentists will prescribe a pill to take one hour before your scheduled appointment. You must have someone drive you to our office. When you arrive at our office you will be awake but feeling very relaxed. Throughout your dental appointment our staff will monitor your vital signs. When your treatment is completed, a friend or relative will need to drive you home. Do not operate a motor vehicle for 24 hours after receiving sedation. We do recommend that you take the day off and relax, making no major decisions. When you are fully awake you will probably remember very little about your dental treatment. Oral Sedation is easy and works well for most patients.

 

IV Sedation

You should not eat or drink anything eight hours before your appointment. IV Sedation medication is given through a very small needle inserted into a vein in your hand or arm. This form of sedation takes effect very quickly. As with oral sedation your vital signs will be monitored throughout your appointment. The main advantage of IV sedation is that your dentist can control the amount of medication given allowing for your sedation to be increased or decreased quickly and comfortably if necessary. You will be very relaxed during your appointment and will remember very little about the procedure. Most patients become alert once the medication is stopped, however someone must drive you home. You should not operate a motor vehicle for 24 hours after given the IV sedation.

Sedation is safe for most patients. We will ask you several questions regarding your health history and current supplements and medications you're currently taking. We will check and make sure sedation will not interact with your medications and if necessary we will consult with your physician regarding health concerns. Your safety is our number one priority.

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Isn't it great to know you can relax in the dentist chair? If you are interested in Sedation please give us a call at 270-444-6414. We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more! 

How Do Tobacco Products Affect Your Oral Health?

Dr. Matthew Mangino

           

Tobacco products have a negative affect on oral health. Some effects tobacco products cause is bad breath, tooth discoloration, loss of taste and smell, and serious periodontal problems. Recent studies have shown that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in developing gum disease and that people who use tobacco develop more tartar on their teeth than non-tobacco users.

Smoking causes gumdisease to worsen and bone loss is more severe. The gums may not appear to be red or swollen and can give the false impression that the gums are healthy. This is because smoking interferes with the normal function of the gum tissues and impairs blood flow to the gums. Treatment becomes more difficult and less likely to succeed because smoking hinders the healing process in the mouth. 

 Smokeless tobacco is also known as "snuff", "spit" or chewing tobacco. It is held in the mouth between the teeth and cheek. Users spit out a black, tarry substance that forms when the tobacco joins with saliva. It is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth making it more addictive than smoking cigarettes. Users of chewing tobacco suffer permanent gum and bone loss even after they quit using it. Many people think of professional sports when they think of smokeless tobacco, but its use is increasing in teenagers.

No matter how long you have used tobacco products, quitting can quickly decrease your risk of developing:

•Oral cancer

•Cancers of the lungs and other parts of the body

•Heart disease and stroke

•Chronic bronchitis, emphysema (chronic lung disease)

•Periodontitis (gum disease) and tooth decay

•Premature aging

•Mouth sores or lesions that do not heal such as leukoplakia

Quitting is always the best option and there are many ways to help one quit. Talk to your dentist,dental hygienist, and your doctor about developing a strategy to quit. Have your dentist screen for early signs of oral cancer and periodontal disease. Anticipate triggers to smoking and prepare strategies on how to avoid them. Come up with a reward system and make goals for each day. Quitting is a very difficult process and it’s important to have loved ones as well as health professionals help along the way.

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What can I do for my Bad Breath?

          

Bad breath (halitosis) can result from poor dental health habits, and may be a sign of other health problems. It can also be made worse by the types of foods one eats and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. All the food eaten begins to be broken down in the mouth. As foods are digested/ absorbed into the bloodstream, they are eventually carried to the lungs and given off in one’s breath. Brushing, flossing, and even mouthwash only cover up the strong odor and can be temporary. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through the body.

A great place to start is at home by keeping the mouth clean. Bacteria are the most common cause of bad breath. Many people try to kill bacteria with mouthwash; however, this is only a temporary solution. The bacteria will grow back over time. The best defense is to brush the teeth thoroughly at least twice a day for two full minutes, and floss once a day; a Waterpik can also be used daily. This will help remove the food trapped between the teeth, as well as the food trapped in the gum line. It is also important to clean the tongue after brushing. This can be done with a toothbrush or a tongue cleaner. The rough surface of the tongue is a common place for bacteria to remain causing an odor. Rinsing the mouth after eating and drinking with antibacterial mouthwash or even plain water can help reduce odor.

 

The most important thing to do is visit a dentist for a thorough cleaning and examination.  Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be warning signs of gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and bone around the teeth. Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities. Dry mouth is a medical condition that can also cause bad breath. Saliva is used to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away bacteria that accumulate in the mouth. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. There are also many diseases and illnesses that cause bad breath.

A proper treatment plan can be made while visiting the dentist when suffering from bad breath. It is rarely life-threatening and the prognosis is good. If good oral hygiene does not eliminate bad breath, it may be a symptom of a medical disorder; therefore a medical doctor should also be seen. It is important to see your dentist regularly for a healthy lifestyle.

                           

 Visit Paducah Dental Care to learn more! 

                   

        

Preventing Childhood Cavities

By Dr. William Walden

Early childhood cavities are an infectious disease defined as the presence of one or more decayed, missing or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a preschool-age child between birth and 71 months of age. Although dental cavities in children have declined significantly among school-aged children since the early 1970s, dental cavities have remained the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood and are a public health concern.

Early childhood cavities are an infectious disease that can start as soon as an infant’s teeth erupt. It can progress rapidly and may have a lasting impact on a child’s health and well-being. Cavities are a disease process initiated by bacteria. When food is consumed, bacteria are able to break down carbohydrates, producing acids that cause mineral loss from teeth. This mineral loss results in cavities when the attack is prolonged or if a person’s immune system is compromised. There are many factors that contribute to cavities in children, such as compromised immune systems, poor nutrition and feeding habits, genetics, medication, and poor oral hygiene.

Childhood cavities can be prevented with an emphasis on early preventive oral healthcare for children. With the onset of cavities beginning at such a young age, education needs to begin with the parents. Fluoride is safe and effective for preventing cavities in children. Community water fluoridation is a major factor responsible for the decline of cavities in children. Fluoride toothpastes, varnishes, mouth rinses, gels, and dietary supplements can also help prevent cavities. Good dietary counseling and oral hygiene practices need to be taught at a young age to start good habits that can be passed on to future children. There are many programs provided by health care facilities to help educate families with young children as well as programs to help low income families gain better access to dental care.

Parents are now being taught from health care providers how to prevent cavities in young children. Every child needs a well-balanced diet and unrestricted consumption of sugary liquids and foods should be avoided. It is also important to avoid putting a child to bed with a bottle. Infants need to have their mouth swabbed after each bottle, as well as, children need to have their teeth brushed every morning and night. It is always a good idea to take a child for their first dental visit by one year of age. This insures that any conditions can be monitored and found early on. Healthy children may only need exams once a year, however, children that are high risk for dental problems may need more frequent visits.

Early screenings are now being done in public school systems and as part of regular check-ups with a child’s regular physician. Some primary health care professionals are performing an oral health screening that includes the lips, tongue, teeth, gums, interior surface of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. Health professionals can help ensure that infants and young children receive the care they need by referring infants to a dentist for an oral examination. With families being educated about the dangers and prevention of childhood cavities there is hope to begin seeing a decline in the number of children having to have dental work at such a young age.

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Diabetes Increases Risk of Oral Diseases

 Dr. Matthew Mangino

For the 26 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes each year, life can be very difficult. Diabetes affects all aspects of a person’s physical health and, if not managed properly, can lead to a host of other serious health problems.

In fact, persons suffering from diabetes are less resistant to infection and therefore are also at an increased risk of developing various oral diseases. The most common diseases include periodontal disease, gingivitis, salivary gland dysfunction, inflammatory skin disease, infections, delayed healing and taste impairment.

Diabetes’ patients may also suffer from other mouth ailments including thrush, an infection caused by fungus that grows in the mouth, and dry mouth, which can also lead to ulcers, soreness, cavities and other infections.

Because diabetes weakens the body’s ability to fight bacteria, tissues and bones in the mouth are vulnerable to infection. The disease often causes individuals to produce high levels of glucose in their saliva, which then speeds the growth of bacteria in the mouth. As bacteria grow, tartar begins to build up above the gum line. If left untreated, this build up can lead to chronic mouth infections and inflammation.

Although, everyone should practice good oral hygiene habits, those living with diabetes should pay particular attention to changes in their mouth. It is imperative that diabetes patients schedule regular dental check-ups in order for their dentists to detect early stages of gum disease and other infections of the mouth.

Some signs to watch for include:*

• Red, swollen or tender gums
• Gums that bleed easily
• Gums that are pulling away from the teeth
• Pus that is produced between the teeth and gums when pressed

• Chronic bad breath or an unpleasant taste in the mouth
• Teeth that have become loose or have begun to separate
• Changes in the way an individual’s teeth fit together
• Changes in the fit of an individual’s partial dentures

The good news is that most of these problems are preventable through good oral health care habits. A healthy routine includes brushing twice daily and flossing at least once during the day. Patients might also consult their dentists about using an appropriate mouth rinse in order to more effectively prevent the growth of bacteria known to cause gum disease.

It’s also important that patients inform their dentists that they have been diagnosed with diabetes. They should make them aware of any prescription or over-the-counter medications they may be taking to control the disease.

Living with diabetes presents enough challenges without the added stress of oral infections and diseases. Taking control of an individual’s oral health will save time and money in the long run, while dramatically improving the quality of one’s life. Contact your physician and your dentist for more information.

* Source: American Dental Association, https://www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_18.pdf

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