The Mulberry Dental Blog » dry mouth

A dry mouth can cause dental cavities says a Molesey dentist

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:10:38 +0000

A dry mouth has many causes and a few consequences, one of which is dental cavities says a Molesey dentist. The warning about the relationship formed by a dry mouth and cavities isn’t a new one; cavities are formed by the acid that is made by the bacteria in our mouths, mainly feeding off sweet and sugary food residue. Diabetics are familiar with his problem as one of the main symptoms of diabetes is a dry mouth, the acid can produce quickly and do its damage on the enamel of the teeth. Chemotherapy patients are another victim, as if they don’t have enough problems already. We need the saliva that our glands produce in order to neutralise oral acid, which is the single most problem we have with oral care. Drinking water is one answer, but when you’re on chemo or a diabetic with a high sugar level, then this in itself causes more problems. The answer in some prolonged cases is a dental sealant, this is a solution that a dentist will usually reserve for his younger patients aged between 6-10 years old. The problem occurs in children who cannot get a brush into their cavities due to the smallness of the cavities. A plastic filling is used to replace the enamel that is burned away by the acid, acid cannot burn away plastic, so this preventative treatment is a really clever one. This won’t work in all cases though, and so it needs the patient to be aware of the problem and use other methods to counteract the acid problem. Drinking water and swishing it around the mouth will go some way to doing the job, but if you don’t want to keep visiting the loo every 20 minutes, then just swish and spit.

Weybridge dentists can offer help to relieve dry mouth

admin — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:42:50 +0000

Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition that affects one in every five adults at some time. It occurs when there is a decrease in production of saliva in the mouth. This often overlooked secretion does more than just moisten and cleanse the mouth, it is crucial in helping the body taste, chew and digest food and helps protect the teeth, mouth and lips from bacterial and fungal infections.

Dry mouth often indicates a wider systemic problem in the body and can be caused by a variety of reasons. It can often be the result of side effects of medication. Nearly 2000 of the most common medicines can lead to dry mouth, with eight out of the ten most commonly used drugs citing dry mouth as a side effect, and including treatments prescribed for high blood pressure, anxiety, allergies and weight loss.

Dry mouth can also be caused by a number of medical and psychological conditions such as diabetes, AIDS and depression. One of the most common medical reasons for oral dryness is Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune condition, associated with rheumatoid diseases, that causes a general dryness throughout the body.

Ageing is often associated with causing dry mouth because as the body grows older it tends to produce less saliva, although this probably contributes more to the condition than causes it.

There are many cures for dry mouth and your Weybridge dentist should be able to ascertain what is causing the problem and recommend the best way to stop it. Treatments for dry mouth and its associated symptoms often involve changing the way you take care of your mouth by brushing properly twice a day, flossing after meals, cleaning your tongue and avoiding the intake of alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. Your Weybridge dentist can offer advice on the best course of action. Recent research has shown that there are also a number of drugs available that stimulate the production of saliva.

Kingston upon Thames Dentist: Solve Your Bad Breath Problems

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:43:03 +0000

If you are getting conscious about the freshness of your breath, maybe it is time to visit your Kingston upon Thames dentist.

You might be surprised to learn that bad breath is actually a common problem and it can be caused by a variety of reasons. Usually, it could be that bits of your food get stuck in between your teeth and after a while, bacteria will feed on these food bits and release the smelly odor. If this is the case, your dentist will recommend that your brush your teeth regularly and make sure that you have your teeth cleaned at least twice a year.

On the other hand, certain medical conditions could result to foul-smelling breath. These include:

• Dry mouth or Xerostomia
• Throat infections
• Sinusitis
• Bronchitis
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney problems

Your dentist will thoroughly check your mouth, gums and teeth and if they are found to be quite healthy, you will be referred to a GP to have you checked for other health disorders.

In addition to this, tobacco smoking can also cause bad breath. Obviously, you can only have fresh breath if you quit smoking. Moreover, your teeth will no longer be stained.

For bad breath, your dentist will start you on a routine that will help you keep your breath fresh. Regular cleaning will remove the plaque that are trapped in between teeth and gums especially those found in hard-to-reach areas. Mouthwashes can be used upon the recommendation f your dentist.

If you are wearing dentures, your dentist can also give you instructions on how to keep them clean, allowing you to have fresh breath.

Keep in mind that bad breath is treatable and once the cause has been determined, you will only follow your dentist’s recommended course of treatment.

Surbiton Dentist Treats Bad Breath

admin — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 11:36:03 +0000

Many people that have bad breath, or halitosis, are not even aware that they have this problem that can be very embarrassing. When you visit your Surbiton dental clinic, they will explain to you why this has occurred, and help you to remedy this problem. Certain foods can cause bad breath, such as garlic and onions, and you may think that using a mouthwash will take care of this problem. The thing that you may not realize, is that garlic and onions create metabolites that enter the circulatory system, and then go to the lungs where they are expired, thus causing the bad smell. This condition will remain with you until these foods are metabolised completely by your body.
Performing proper oral hygiene, by brushing and flossing at least two times daily for at least two minutes each time, can help you to prevent halitosis. Make sure that you brush all surfaces of your teeth properly, and also brush your tongue. Xerostomia (i.e., mouth dryness) can also increase halitosis, so if you have this condition, you should carry some sugarless-candy or sugarless-gum with you to stimulate your salivary flow. Chewing tobacco or smoking can make your breath stink, along with several medical conditions. Your Surbiton dentist will make a referral to a doctor if they can’t figure out what is causing your halitosis. Make sure that you are honest with your dentist while answering questions on your medical history form and speaking with them. Surbiton dental clinic will help you to eradicate your halitosis and take care of your other dental needs.

Causes and symptoms of dry mouth by Weybridge dentist

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:56:42 +0000

Another word for dry mouth syndrome is xerostomia.
Dry mouth can be for a short time or chronic and is mainly depend on the cause. There is an uncomfortable feeling of the mouth due to decrease in the saliva. It is due to the improper function of the salivary glands and there is less saliva in the mouth than normal.
Factors which can cause improper functions of the salivary glands.
Certain medical conditions (diabetes, strokes etc) some medications, antihistamines, decongestants antidepressants, diuretics, certain pain killers, muscle relaxant .Medications for Parkinsonism’s, for high blood pressure also can cause dry mouth syndrome. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments near the salivary glands in the head and neck reduces the production. The dentists in weybridge say that emotional stress and anxiety also can cause dry mouth syndrome.
There for the doctors in weybridge says how important you to tell your dentist about all the medicines you are taking as well as any treatment you receive. Hormonal changes in the pregnancy and menopause also can cause dry mouth syndrome.
In which age dry mouth syndrome affects more.
Dry mouth syndrome is more seen in younger adults but can affect a person of any age
Signs and symptoms of dry mouth syndrome.
The symptoms can be classified in to mild, moderate and severe. A dry, sticky feeling of the mouth. Or throat, insufficient saliva, saliva that feels thick a rough dry tongue ,sore throat, cracked lips, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, altered sense of taste.
Importance of saliva.
The maintain component of saliva is water.(99%)the remaining contain lubricants, enzymes and proteins. In dry mouth syndrome due to insufficient saliva the soft tissues of the mouth becomes irritated making them more susceptible to infection. Another function of saliva is it washes away the food debris and making less susceptible to infection. The lubricating effect of saliva helps us in many ways; swallowing, and chewing food, in talking etc.
Treatments
Once you have the diagnosis done the dentist in weybridge emphasise the importance of giving a proper history to locate the cause. (Medications you are taking, any other treatment are going on etc).Treatment is decided up on the severity of the symptoms. If necessary the patient may refer to a periodontist. In case of simple dry mouth syndrome to restore the moisture of the mouth there are specially formulated oral rinses. Chewing sugar free -gum will stimulate the saliva flow, increase the fluid intake. Artificial saliva or saliva substitute is available in the market. People with dry mouth syndrome are advised to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, and avoid tobacco. Exercising good oral hygiene (visiting the dentist regularly, brushing your teeth twice daily and using the recommended mouth wash) is necessary to beat with dry mouth syndrome