by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | May 3, 2021 | General Dentistry, Oral Health
Not only can dry mouth cause a lot of discomfort, but because saliva is your body’s way of naturally protecting and remineralizing teeth it can also contribute to conditions with your teeth and gums such as cavities, gum disease and more. Sometimes treating dry mouth is as simple as finding out what is causing it. Other times, it may need ongoing attention to help provide relief. Read on if you’d like to learn more with these 5 ways to treat dry mouth.
1. Drink Lots of Fluids
Hydration is key when suffering from dry mouth. Regardless of the cause, drinking adequate fluids is important to many functions of the body, including saliva production. It is generally recommended that you drink between a half an ounce to a full ounce for every pound that you weigh. This means that if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink between 75 and 150 ounces a day, or around 10 to 19 cups. Remember that a drinking glass may be larger or smaller than an actual 8 ounce cup measurement, so it may be helpful to use a water bottle that displays measurements to keep track of your daily fluid intake.
Make sure to try to mostly choose drinks without ingredients that may cause staining or be harmful to teeth, such as dark teas or sugar that may lead to tooth decay.
2. Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can be helpful to treat dry mouth especially if you’re looking for ways to treat dry mouth while on the go. Chewing gum can help because it stimulates the body’s saliva flow. Better yet, if you can find a gum with xylitol as the sweetening ingredient, it may actually benefit your teeth because xylitol has been shown to change the pH balance of the mouth to reduce the presence of bacteria and its ability to adhere to teeth, which can reduce the risk of cavities.
3. Suck on a Sugar-Free Hard Candy
Sucking on hard candy or throat lozenges can also help to stimulate saliva flow. Make sure the candy is also sugar-free so it won’t leave a sugary residue on your teeth that can cause tooth decay.
4. Check Your Medications
Beyond looking for ways to treat dry mouth, it may be helpful to find out if anything is contributing to it. A good place to start may be to look up any medications you take for possible side effects that may include dry mouth. Many common medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause reduced saliva production and if dry mouth has become problematic for you while taking a medication then it might be helpful to talk to your doctor.
5. Talk to Your Dentist
If you’re searching for ways to treat dry mouth, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to talk to your dentist, who specializes in oral care and hygiene, about any possible causes and all your options available. If you’ve tried multiple ways to treat dry mouth and it’s still unresolved, your dentist may be able to recommend other treatments such as a special mouthwash or another product or treatment to help provide relief.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Apr 1, 2021 | Dental Health
When you’re feeling under the weather, it can be difficult to feel like doing much more than snuggling in bed. Everyday tasks like brushing your teeth just seem to take twice the effort and twice as long as usual. The last thing you want to worry about is taking cough syrup and its effect on your oral health when you’re already feeling achy, feverish and stuffy. Fortunately, there are some simple and easy things you can do that can make a big difference when you’re sick.
Choose Sugar-Free
When choosing over the counter remedies, it’s important to choose products without ingredients that can harm your oral health. Sugary cough drops and cough syrup and your teeth are a bad combination because the sugary residue can linger and interact with the saliva in your mouth to cause tooth decay. If possible, make sure to choose sugar-free options that will be easier on your teeth, especially if you’re not feeling well enough to complete your normal oral hygiene routine.
If a Product Contains Sugar
Perhaps you’re facing a medicine cabinet full of sugar-containing cough syrup and your teeth are important to you, but you want relief! Sometimes it’s not always possible to avoid sugar in products. If you find yourself in this kind of situation, don’t fret too much! Even with less than the best options, you can still limit the negative effects and get much needed relief from your symptoms. After you take the medication or use a cough drop that contains sugar, just make sure to brush your teeth and rinse well to wash away any residue.
Some Other Tips for When You’re Sick
Dental hygiene when you’re sick goes well beyond cough syrup and your teeth. Being sick, especially if you’re congested, can cause you to breathe through your mouth instead of your nose which can lead to dry mouth. Decongestants and other medications can also reduce the body’s production of saliva which can further exacerbate the problem. Dry mouth might not seem like a big deal, but saliva is your body’s natural defense system against cavity-causing bacteria, so it’s crucial to your dental health. Drinking lots of extra fluids can help, just make sure to choose liquids that don’t contain sugar and won’t stain your teeth. Water, broth, herbal tea without sugar, and electrolyte-containing drinks are all great options.
It can also be helpful to gargle with salt water if you’re experiencing a cough or sore throat. Salt water has natural cleansing and healing properties that can help reduce bacteria and soothe tenderness in the throat or dry mouth. To create a salt water rinse, mix 1 tablespoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse your mouth repeatedly until you’ve used up all of the solution, being careful not to swallow it.
Oral Hygiene and Your Immune System
Dental health is the last thing on most people’s minds when they are sick, just getting through each day requires so much extra effort! But good oral hygiene can help keep your immune system strong and focused on fighting off viruses and infection that come from outside your body. With just a few simple and easy choices, you can also help protect your teeth from cavities during sickness.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Mar 1, 2021 | Dental Health
If you’re experiencing symptoms with your teeth or mouth that are causing you discomfort, it can feel confusing to know whether to take a wait and see approach or if you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. So, when should you call your dentist? Here are some things your symptoms might mean.
Toothache or Oral Discomfort
Dental discomfort is a common complaint, but it’s also important to know that the most common cause of toothaches is tooth decay and it’s important that tooth decay be treated as soon as possible before it leads to deeper cavities, tooth loss or infection. Discomfort or increased sensitivity is simply your body’s natural way of telling you that something needs your attention.
Spots or Discoloration
Serious problems with teeth can sometimes appear on the surface as white, brown or gray spots or discoloration of the whole tooth. It’s true that teeth can yellow with age or because of stains from food and drinks, so when should you call your dentist? If you notice any discoloration that seems unusual, sudden or concerning, it’s best to call your dentist for an exam to assess the condition of your teeth, as even prematurely yellowing teeth can be an early sign of decay or poor dental health that may need to be addressed.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth has many causes ranging from health conditions like diabetes and autoimmune diseases to the side effects of snoring or an increased exercise or running routine. Dry mouth may not sound like a big deal, but the purpose of saliva is to help protect your teeth from bacteria and remineralize your enamel so if you’re experiencing dry mouth symptoms regularly it may mean that your body is having a hard time fighting cavities on its own and it’s a good idea to ask your dentist for ways that you can help your mouth stay balanced and healthy.
Broken or Missing Tooth or Filling
If you experience trauma or notice that a tooth is jagged or cracked it’s important to call your dentist as soon as possible. It’s also important if you notice a filling or crown is missing. All of these situations can expose the inner pulp or root of your tooth to bacteria and infection or result in death of the tooth if not treated urgently.
If a tooth is knocked out or falls out, it is also important to call your dentist as soon as possible not only to treat it to prevent further problems, but also because there is a chance that the tooth may be rooted back in place and saved before it dies if it is treated urgently.
Other Concerns or Questions
This is far from a complete list of answers to the question, “When should you call your dentist?” so if you’re concerned for any reason about your teeth or have any questions about your dental health, it’s always a good time and a great idea to reach out to your dentist. Your dentist is here for you, and your dental health is the priority, so don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Jan 1, 2021 | Oral Health
You’ve done a quick breath check after your garlicky lunch. You’re short on time to run back to the office. It can seem like a quick and easy stand in for brushing to pop a stick of gum in your mouth to freshen your breath, but is chewing gum helpful or harmful to your teeth? Can chewing gum help oral health?
Clinical studies have shown that some types of chewing gum can help oral health! Chewing flavored gum can stimulate your mouth’s saliva production up to 10 fold which can help to rinse away bacteria and even neutralize the acids created by bacteria and plaque. It’s all about the type of chewing gum that you choose.
What to Look For
When it comes to choosing a chewing gum with your oral health in mind, it’s important to look for the right sweetener and avoid any harmful sugars. Check the full ingredients list and avoid any chewing gums that contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup. The chewing gums with sweeteners that are safer for your teeth will usually be advertised as “sugar-free” on the front of the packaging.
Xylitol
If you want to take it a step further towards using a chewing gum that can benefit your oral health, finding a kind that contains xylitol can be a great choice. Xylitol can neutralize the harmful bacteria, and the acid created by bacteria and plaque that causes tooth decay, and reduce the bacterias ability to attach to your teeth. Over time, using xylitol can actually change and possibly reduce the bacteria in your mouth to make it less harmful to your teeth.
When Not to Chew Gum
There are times, however, when you should avoid chewing gum. If you have a condition such as TMD or TMJ or are experiencing other discomfort in your jaw, you should see a dentist as soon as possible and avoid chewing gum or eating foods that require a lot of chewing such as bagels or tougher meats.
It’s Still Important to Brush!
One important thing to remember when considering the question, “Can chewing gum help oral health?” is that while chewing gum can benefit your oral health, it cannot replace the benefits of brushing and flossing 2-3 times a day, especially after meals and before you go to sleep at night, so you should always continue practicing your dentist’s recommended dental care routine.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
by 110 Dental & Orthodontics | Dec 1, 2020 | Dental Hygiene
Perusing a wall of dental products can be overwhelming, but there are ways to narrow the choices. So what is the best way to determine which mouthwash is best?
What Is It For?
Firstly, mouthwash can never replace brushing or flossing. Although it is a very good compliment to a healthy oral hygiene routine, it just can’t do the work that a good toothbrush and floss does in knocking plaque out the door.
That being said, the first thing to consider when you’re looking to see which mouthwash is best, is you. What are your dental needs?
Sensitive Teeth?
If you’re facing sensitive teeth, and the discomfort that can accompany them, finding a mouthwash that takes this into account can be an important step to having oral products that help you in more ways than one. A clean mouth is great, but a clean mouth that feels marvelous? Who doesn’t want that?
Dry Mouth and Bad Breath?
These two often go hand in hand. Having a dry mouth means not having food debris washed away regularly, which can contribute to bad breath. If you’re looking to banish bad breath and treat dry mouth, try an alcohol free mouthwash, as alcohol can make dry mouth even worse.
Gum Disease?
If your gums are bleeding, tender, sensitive, tell your dentist. Gum disease affects a large amount of adults, and is very curable. One way you can address that gum disease is finding products that will help your gums stay healthy and clean. Plaque contributes to gum disease by irritating the soft tissue, and causing inflammation. Banishing that pesky bacteria can go a long way to keeping your mouth clean, and telling gum disease goodbye.
No Matter What
No matter which mouthwash is best for you, check for the American Dental Association seal. This is an important point for all mouthwash use. Another thing to consider and keep in mind, fluoridated mouthwash is also always excellent, as fluoride can strengthen your teeth, and prevent cavities. If you’re someone who doesn’t have any of the above considerations in mind, but you’re just looking to be seriously proactive about your dental health, prioritize the protective qualities of fluoride.
Call our Whitehouse dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.
