What are the Causes of Xerostomia?

Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can be very uncomfortable and can also lead to a higher risk of decay and gum disease. If your mouth feels dry on a regular basis, provide treatment. Since xerostomia can be a symptom of other, more serious conditions, it’s important to have it diagnosed. [pullquote]Symptoms of dry mouth include insufficient saliva in the mouth, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.[/pullquote]

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth can be a symptom of another condition or a side effect of a medication. It can also occur due to insufficient saliva production or on a temporary basis due to emotional trauma, anxiety or stress.

Some causes of dry mouth include:

•    Medications such as antidepressants, blood pressure medication, tranquilizers or painkillers
•    Cancer treatment, especially chemotherapy and radiation
•    Sjogren’s syndrome, an immune system disorder that affects the salivary glands and the mucous membranes
•    Damage to nerves in the head and neck

Your dentist can help determine the root cause of your dry mouth and also provide treatment to mitigate the condition, increasing your comfort level and decreasing your risk for developing tooth decay.

Symptoms and Treatment for Dry Mouth

Symptoms of dry mouth include insufficient saliva in the mouth, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Treatment can vary depending upon your circumstances. Some treatments include:

•    Artificial saliva
•    Increased water consumption
•    Mouth rinses designed to treat dry mouth
•    Chewing gum to stimulate saliva production

If your dry mouth is a side effect of a medication you are taking temporarily, this treatment can last as long as you are taking the medication. For more chronic dry mouth, a prescription treatment such as pilocarpine, which is administered in pill form, might be suitable. Many dentists use pilocarpine to treat patients who are suffering from dry mouth due to radiation or chemotherapy treatment, and for patients with Sjogren’s syndrome.

If you are suffering from dry mouth and would like treatment, contact the doctor Family Dentistry in Littleton Colorado to schedule an appointment.

Do Dental Crowns Require Special Care?

The purpose of  dental crowns are to protect and cover a tooth that has been compromised from dental fillings, is cracked or broken, or a crown can cover a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy.

In any case, a crown allows the natural tooth to be salvaged which is always a better option than losing a tooth.

Depending on the tooth being crowned, there are different materials used in making a crown. For back teeth that sustain much of the pressure from chewing, some type of metal or gold may be selected. For crowns in the smile line, a porcelain or porcelain to metal crown is a good option.

No matter which type of crown is needed, your dentist will provide the information needed to make the best choice. The tooth will be prepared, an impression taken and a temporary will be provided while the lab is fabricating your new crown. [pullquote]Depending on the tooth being crowned, there are different materials used in making a crown. [/pullquote]

In about two weeks, you will return to the dentist’s office for the permanent crown to be cemented in place. At the conclusion of this appointment you can return to your “normal” life. Your new crown requires no special care.

Consideration might be given to chewing habits, especially if you have selected a porcelain crown. Although your new crown is strong, avoiding biting and chewing on hard objects like candy and ice will not only aid your new crown, but might also save existing teeth.

Your new crown has been cemented in place, but extremely sticky foods can loosen a crown. If the crown does come off, a return to your dental provider is needed for cementing back in place.

You should continue to observe excellent dental hygiene habits which include daily flossing, brushing with a soft bristle brush using a non-abrasive tooth paste or gel and rinsing with an antibacterial rinse, if advised to do so. Your dentist can demonstrate the safest way to floss around a new dental crown.

Returning to your dental provider every six months for a professional cleaning and dental exam will aid in maintaining excellent dental health, and might prevent the advancement of dental decay and other problems.

To learn more about caring for your dental crowns, contact Governor’s Park Dental Group in Denver CO to schedule a consultation.

Invisalign: The Clear Alternative for the Working Professional

Crooked, misaligned, or improperly spaced teeth are not limited to adolescents. If you are unhappy with the way your teeth look, orthodontic treatment can help you gain a smile you can be proud of. For adults, particularly working professionals, Invisalign is an excellent option.

 

Advantages of Invisalign

Adults often are discouraged by the necessities of orthodontic treatment, especially the look of traditional braces. Metal on the teeth is unattractive, and if you are a professional who regularly deals with the public and client interaction, having braces is not desirable for numerous reasons. Braces could make you seem a bit unprofessional, or even immature to those who still equate metal braces with adolescence.

Invisalign is a solution to these issues because the aligner trays that are used to move your teeth into their proper position are made of clear plastic and are virtually invisible. They can also be removed occasionally for special occasions, important meetings, or for dinner with a client.

 

How Invisalign Works

to gradually move your teeth into the right position to improve alignment or to close gaps between your teeth. Each tray is formed slightly differently from the previous tray, allowing it to push the teeth in the proper direction. You will switch to a new tray about every two weeks.

Trays should be removed while you eat, and if you drink anything that is hot or strongly colored. Your dentist will provide information on how to care for your trays, and about how long you should wear them each day. As a general rule, the tray should stay in for a minimum of twenty-two hours each day.

Most of these procedures take about a year to eighteen months to complete. After the treatment is completed, you will wear a retainer, usually just at night, to be sure your teeth don’t move back to their original, incorrect position.

To find out how Invisalign can help you correct your smile without interfering with your professional life, call the doctor Family Dentistry, serving Highlands Ranch and nearby areas, today at 303 -730-1222 to schedule a consultation.

Say Goodbye to Denture Adhesive with Teeth to Stay – All in 1 Day

A well-made denture can be a lifesaver! A full smile, comfortable chewing, and clear speech are necessary components to your daily life. But, what are your options when your denture no longer fits? What would life be if you were forced to glue your teeth in each morning with denture glue? Then, at the end of your day, what’s the procedure for cleaning the sticky adhesive from the inside of the denture and from your gums?

With the addition of just a few dental implants, you can say goodbye to these questions and other dilemmas forever. In just one day, you can opt for a procedure in which your denture is anchored far below the gum line for optimal security and strength. This permanent solution for the completely edentulous patient is a shining example of the versatility of implant dentistry.  [pullquote]Not only is it possible to obtain a complete set of new teeth in one dental visit, but your new smile will be more comfortable and more dependable…[/pullquote]

Not only is it possible to obtain a complete set of new teeth in one dental visit, but your new smile will be more comfortable and more dependable day in and day out. Even without the need for bone grafting, most patients are finding that an implant-supported smile is ideal. The characteristics that make dental implants so effective for replacing individually missing teeth are the same characteristics that can radically transform the function of your dentures.

Without the stimulation of the tooth roots, the jaw bone will undergo a natural process of erosion, in which the volume and density of the bone is dramatically reduced. This is the main reason for the change in the fit and performance of your traditional denture. After years of tooth loss, the shape and contour of the bone changes and the gum tissue loses its tone. Suddenly, a denture that once fit well doesn’t seem to work at all without the help of denture paste.

Dental implants can provide a level of stimulation similar to that of the tooth roots and prevent the onset of bone erosion. In this permanent and unchanging environment, you will no longer need to depend on denture glue for security.

Talk to your implant dentist at Smiles Unlimited Dental Centre, serving Surrey and surrounding areas, to find out more about Teeth to Stay- All in 1 Day!

Should I Whiten My Teeth Before or After Cosmetic Dental Procedures?

Many of the wonderful dental improvements available today are due to porcelain or composite resin restorations. One of the primary considerations before entering into cosmetic dentistry is how your surrounding untreated teeth will look upon completion of your dental enhancement. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist is important to address a course of action to provide you with the best result.

If teeth are dull or have yellowed from smoking, age or dietary habits like coffee, tea, soda or wine consumption, a good first step is a visit with the dental hygienist. A professional cleaning will usually remove topical stains and provide the best base to aid in determining teeth’s true shades.

It is important to note that ceramic and composite resins are not affected by any whitening process. Keeping that in mind, if you are dissatisfied with the result of a standard cleaning, you should consider whitening your teeth before embarking on cosmetic dentistry improvements such as dental bonding, veneers, implants or crowns. [pullquote]In-office whitening will generally offer the fastest and optimum result.[/pullquote]

If teeth whitening is to be pursued, to obtain the closest match possible it is advised to complete teeth whitening through either in-office whitening or take-home kits available through your dental provider.

In-office whitening will generally offer the fastest and optimum result. While take-home kits allow you to whiten at your own pace in the privacy of your home, it might take weeks to achieve the maximum benefit. Once the whitening process has been completed, you can move ahead to select a color shade for the anticipated cosmetic enhancement.

Following the instructions received from your cosmetic dentist will keep your new smile brilliant. These instructions will likely include a professional cleaning twice per year along with a dental exam to make sure your cosmetic improvements, as well as the rest of your teeth, are as healthy as possible.

Over time whitening touch-up may be needed to maintain the color of your natural teeth. Touch-up kits are available through your dental provider or in-office whitening may be considered to maintain consistent teeth coloring.

Daily flossing and brushing with the recommended tooth paste or gel at least twice per day will also help to keep your new smile shining bright for many years.

To learn more about the benefits of teeth whitening, call the Denver office of Governor Park Dental today to schedule a consultation.