Management of a Dry Mouth

How to Manage Dry Mouth

In my last Blog, I discussed the cause of a dry mouth.

In Part 2, I will provide some guidelines for the management of a dry mouth.

Firstly, a little basic Chemistry- Saliva is made up mostly of water but also contains ions and minerals & enzymes that protect your teeth, gums and mucosa (the lining of your mouth).

Importantly, saliva contains bicarbonate and ammonium, which neutralises acids produced by the bacteria in your mouth. This Acid acts to soften the tooth, which causes decay. Saliva is your body’s protection against decay. If there is no or little saliva, you have very little protection. While there is no cure for a dry mouth there are a number of steps that can be taken to manage the symptoms and reduce the risk of decay.

Dry Mouth

5 Causes of Dry Mouth

Having a dry mouth can be quite uncomfortable, unpleasant and limits normal daily functions like eating and speech. The sensation of a dry mouth is usually caused by a lack of saliva. This lack of saliva is not only uncomfortable but also increases the risk of many oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and fungal infections.

Dry MouthWhat causes the lack of Saliva?

In-adequate hydration: Adequate hydration is required to produce the large volume of saliva we need to produce each day. I recommend 1.5 to 2 litres of tap water daily. Tap water is almost the only drink that has a neutral pH. Most drinks including fruit juice, soft drinks and energy drinks are both acidic (softening your valuable tooth enamel) and contain sugar. Tap water, as opposed to bottled water, also contains a low concentration of fluoride which helps to harden tooth enamel.

Childrens Treats A Cause for Concern

Childrens Treats? A Cause for Concern

Rates of tooth decay were steadily declining in Australia through the 1970’s and 80’s to a low point in the mid 1990’s. Since then rates have again increased back to where they were in the 1980’s. What is responsible for this increase?

As a father of two girls aged 6 and 9 I have noticed social and dietary changes that have contributed to this trend. In our house my wife & I keep the sugar to a minimum. In general, on a day to day basis in our house there is no soft drink, juice, biscuits, cakes, ice-cream, chocolates or lollies. I know, sounds like no fun but they do have tuckshop once a week, relatively healthy snacks at home & usually on the weekend if we are out the girls might score something special or two. We need to be firm with the “day to day” because too often sugary treats still come their way.

Healthy Gums, Healthy You

Gum Health: Healthy Gums, Healthy You

Most people know that being overweight, having diabetes, stress & smoking all increase your risk of heart disease. What you may not know is that Gum Disease also increases the risk of Heart Disease.

Gum disease is a condition caused by bacteria which results in the destruction of the bone and gum attachment around a tooth.

What are the signs of Gum Disease:

• bleeding gums

• red, puffy or tender gums

• ongoing bad breath

Should I Extract a Tooth or have Root Canal Treatment

Should I Extract a Tooth or have Root Canal Treatment?

The most common cause of toothache is an infected pulp or nerve. This usually happens in the back molar teeth which are more prone to decay. At this point it is no longer possible to fill the tooth & treatment options are limited to root canal therapy or extraction. When faced with this dilemma patients often ask for my advice.

In the vast majority of cases the best decision is to retain the tooth with root canal therapy. Some patients will comment that if the tooth cannot be seen it is not important to keep the tooth. It is actually the back teeth which do most of the work when chewing. Loss of a back molar tooth will almost certainly reduce chewing efficiency with most chewing being done with the other side.

The Value of a Dental Check up More than just looking for decay

Dental Check-up: More than just looking for decay

In my last Blog, I discussed the benefits of a check up in the early detection of tooth decay but a dental check up involves so much more than just looking for tooth decay.

The dentist will also look for signs of premature wear from clenching & grinding. Early detection & implementing preventative strategies can potentially same thousands of dollars over the long term. Not to mention saving you many hours of operative dental treatment!

As dentists we also look for signs of acid erosion which has become more frequent with the increasing consumption of acidic beverages. Another cause of damage to teeth most people do not consider is that caused by incorrect brushing technique – either brushing too hard, using a hard bristle brush or both.

What sort of Toothpaste should I use?

What sort of Toothpaste should I use?

There are a multitude of toothpastes available claiming to have advantages over other brands and designed to achieve different results. The active ingredient in toothpaste is fluoride. For most people a 1000 p.p.m. fluoride concentration is ideal. Virtually all toothpastes from most major companies such as Colgate, Oral-B and Macleans will use this concentration. Any of these products are satisfactory.

Specialty toothpastes

There are also many specialty toothpastes available on the market. I often make recommendations for certain types of toothpastes to my patients depending on their individual needs.

Speciality Toothpastes

Speciality Toothpastes: Choosing the Right Toothpaste

In my last Blog I spoke about the various types of toothpastes on the market & specialty pastes that I recommend. Now I would like to comment on three other types of pastes.

1. Desensitising toothpastes:

Many people suffer from sensitive teeth. The most common reason for this is gum recession, where the sensitive root surface of a tooth becomes exposed. This usually occurs from brushing too hard. Use of a soft bristled brush, a gentle technique along with a desensitising paste is usually all that is required to reduce sensitivity to a manageable level.