5 Reasons Why You May Have Dry Mouth

We all know drinking copious amounts of water is good for one’s health. And, boy howdy, when you’re feeling parched, there’s nothing better than a tall drink of ice-cold water to dampen that dry mouth of yours. But what do you do when you find yourself drinking far more than the recommended amount, and are still feeling as though your mouth is as dry as a desert? There are numerous reasons you could be suffering from dry mouth, ranging from the benign to the serious – let’s take a look at the top five.

1. Physiologic: Sometimes having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Temporary anxiety,open-mouthed breathing, mild dehydration, menopause, pregnancy, and decreases in salivary production due to sleep are all considered physiologic (or, “normal”) causes of dry mouth.
2. Prescription medication: Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. are known to cause dry mouth. That’s a lot of interference. What’s worse, the higher the number of medications a person takes, the higher the chance of dry mouth. That’s why as we age, we tend to experience more instances of dry mouth. It’s not necessarily age-related, but our consumption of medication may cause this side effect.
3. Habitual use of alcohol, cigarettes, and/or drugs: Use of any of these products will dry out the oral cavity. No real surprise here.
4. Chronic Disease: Sjögren’s disease, a chronic autoimmune disease in which white blood cells attack their moisture-producing glands; along with the inflammatory disease, Sarcoidosis; Hepatitis C; and Diabetes, can all cause dry mouth.
5. Psychogenic or Idiopathic: When symptoms are present without an identifiable cause (idiopathic), or because of psychological causes (psychogenic), they can be difficult to diagnose. If you find yourself with a persistent case of dry mouth that you’re unable attribute a cause to, see your doctor for further diagnosis.

Dry mouth can be uncomfortable to live with on a daily basis, and is an indication there is causing the symptom that requires further examination. As always, with any persistent medical condition, it’s important to never rely on self-diagnosis, and to see your doctor for proper evaluation.

Different Techniques for Flossing

When it comes to dental floss, what’s the best kind? Well, if you ask a dentist, they’ll tell you the best dental floss is the floss you’ll actually use. That could be Teflon floss, dental tape, nylon floss, waxed floss, and flosses with or without flavors – there are a lot of choices! There are also a number of ways to get your flossing done that don’t have you wrapping a long string of floss across your fingers and deftly maneuvering your hands in such an enclosed space. Enter the oral irrigator, the vibrating flosser, and the dental pick! Which might be best for your kids?

• Dental Pick: If you’re prone to ignore flossing, you may want to consider a good ol’ fashioned dental pick. You’ve no doubt seen these before (sometimes cast aside on the sidewalk!) … they look kinda’ like a plastic toothpick with a strand of dental floss strapped across a wide u-shaped tip. The simplicity and compact nature of these little portable floss “picks” seem to add to their convenience, and kids seem to love them when they’re first learning to floss. We’ll bet you can find at least one colleague in your office who has a few in their purse or desk for those moments when lunch lingers on the teeth a bit longer than appreciated!
• Electric Flossers: Depending on the brand, electric flossers are known by a variety of names, and searching for these handy little devices can be somewhat maddening online (trust us!). You may be best just wandering into the drug store or supermarket to explore in person! There are vibrating flossers, power flossers, and air flossers. Picking the one that’s right for you depends on the task at hand. Power flossers and air flossers seem best if you’re dealing with space concerns near the gumline, and may be a good substitute for an interproximal toothbrush. A vibrating flosser, on the other hand, looks much like a dental pick and because of its design, can cover the entire length of the tooth. Ask your dentist which is best for you.
• Oral Irrigator: An oral irrigator is a device that uses a pulsating stream of water to remove plaque and food debris from between your teeth. There are a variety of instruments on the market, and your dentist can recommend one based on the health of your gum tissue and budget. Oral irrigators are remarkably effective at keeping gum tissue healthy, and have been shown to reduce pocket depth due to periodontitis. “Pocket depth,” refers to the depth of the gum tissue that immediately surrounds your teeth. You may not know it, but that’s what your dentist or hygienist is testing for when they’re poking that instrument in your mouth during an exam and calling out numbers!

It’s worth noting that each of these devices, while recommended, should be considered as supplements to normal flossing – still your best choice. But, if you have dexterity concerns, are purchasing something for a youngster, or just want to ensure your teeth are the cleanest they can be, these tool are great options!

Diabetes and Dental Health

25.8 million children and adults in the United States – 8.3% of the population – have diabetes. And not too far behind those 25.8 million are the estimated 79 million Americans with prediabetes. What's worse, the prevalence of the disease is on the rise, with an estimated 552 million to be diagnosed by 2030. Its progress has become so staggering, the International Diabetes Foundation has termed Diabetes as “The Global Burden.” Diabetes is a serious illness, and its complications are manifold. Most know of its impact on circulation, visual acuity, and heart and kidney function. Many aren't aware, however, of its deleterious effect on gum tissue. If you're prediabetic, have diabetes or have a loved one with the disease, you'll want to learn more about how to ward off this commonly unknown side effect of the disease.

Diabetes is a disease with tentacles. It touches and degrades so many aspects of a person's physical health, it becomes difficult to be mindful of all its complications without proper vigilance.  Yet, vigilance is precisely what is needed, particularly with regard to its role in a healthy mouth, because having diabetes can not only lead to oral disease, but the presence of oral disease can also aggravate diabetes. When it comes to diabetes and the mouth, it is unfortunately, as the scientific community calls it, a “two way street.”

What are some of the Oral Health complications of Diabetes?

• Tooth Decay: Occasionally, an observant dentist who notices a high instance of cavities in an otherwise healthy mouth is the first to suggest a patient be tested for diabetes. The reason for this is that uncontrolled diabetes results in higher levels of salivary glucose. When coupled with a diabetic's diminished salivary production, the mouth tends to bathe in an environment ripe for tooth decay, and these parallels are markers that get a dentists’ attention. If you're already diabetic, you'll want to keep your dentist informed of your disease and its current state so they can always be on the lookout for related problems in your mouth.
• Gingivitis And Periodontal Disease: Because diabetes lowers the body's ability to fight infection, people with the disease are more likely to encounter bouts with gingivitis and periodontitis. Both gingivitis and periodontitis are bacterial gum infections, with gingivitis being the less advanced version of the two. Having either condition, though, requires diligent care because of a diabetic's inability to fight these infections properly. Diabetics have the added burden of having to contend rising sugar levels caused by the body's reaction to stress and infection. The resulting “see-saw” effect can be quite difficult to manage, to say the least. If nothing else sways you to consider your oral health as it relates to diabetes, this single interrelated factor alone should convince you this is a battle you need to fight from an offensive, rather than a defensive position.
• Fungal Infections: Also related to the body's inability to fight infection, diabetics are likely to experience a greater incidence of oral fungal infections. Thrush, which can be common in infancy as a baby develops their immune system is often seen in diabetic patients as well.
• Loss of Taste: In the far reaching realm of diabetes complications, losing your ability to taste certainly ranks among the more unpopular. Here, nerve damage is the culprit, as untreated or uncontrolled diabetes can cut off nerve transmissions to the brain from the taste buds, thus impairing or completely removing one's ability to taste. Not good.

Diabetes is a serious illness, and thankfully, it is one that can be prevented. If you already have the disease, it can also be controlled by following the advice of your doctor and your dentist. Be sure to make all of your health care team members aware of your disease so you can best stay on top of it. There is nothing worse than the awareness that you could have saved yourself from risky complications through better self-care. And there is nothing better than knowing that you did save yourself from additional illness by doing the right thing. So be proactive, and be healthy!

Why Your Snoring Isn't As Innocent As You Think . . .

If the sonorous chorus of a loved one’s snoring has you at your wit’s end, rather than burying your face in your pillow and lambasting them in the morning for their motorcycle muffler cacophony, you may wish to suggest they see the doctor instead. Frequent snoring, particularly when punctuated by moments of “interrupted” snoring, can be signs of a potentially life threatening condition called sleep apnea. It is a serious concern worthy of both your attention, and that of your nighttime vocalist whose life you might just save as a result of your vigilance.

Is It Sleep Apnea?

There are two forms of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea, which occurs when the brain fails to communicate effectively with the nerves responsible for patterned breathing, and obstructive sleep apnea, which is caused by a hyper-relaxation of the muscles in the throat. Obstructive sleep apnea, the more common of the two, and the one we’re choosing to discuss today, can be managed effectively. Knowing the warning signs and the associated risks is the first goal. Then, combatting the condition with a visit to the doctor and initiating lifestyle habits that work toward removing the condition from your life is the second.

Here are some warnings sings of potential sleep apnea:

• Being startled awake by a choking or gasping sensation
• Consistent, loud snoring that is interrupted by brief periods of up to a minute without snoring
• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
• Awakening with headache pain, a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning chest pain
• Moments during sleeping when the snorer is observed as not breathing
• Unexplained mood swings
• Insomnia
• High Blood Pressure

Risks of not addressing sleep apnea include:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart failure, tachycardia, and heart attack
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD

Treating sleep apnea begins with you being proactive about your own health:

• Lose weight: research suggests even a moderate 10% loss in weight can help reduce or eliminate sleep apnea events in patients.
• Avoid alcohol late at night: Because it relaxes the muscles in the mouth, consuming alcoholic beverages too close to bedtime can result in apnea.
• Elevate your sleeping position: A 30° incline in pillow, or bed height has been shown to help apnea sufferers. It also has the added benefit of reducing nighttime GERD complications.
• Mouthguards: Your dentist likely carries a mouthguard that can help reduce the slippage of the jaw and tongue that contribute to sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep apnea is serious business, and should never be ignored. If you or anyone in your family is experiencing these symptoms, please come in for a consultation. Solving sleep apnea issues can be easier than you think, and you'll be glad you came in to resolve the issue. After all, your health – and your life – are at stake.

My Teeth Are Shifting, But I Don't Want To Wear Braces

If your teeth have shifted since your teenage years, and you're starting to think you might need to wear braces as an adult – perhaps for the second time - fear not. You'll be happy to know one of the most common methods for re-aligning slightly crooked teeth isn't braces at all - it's a cosmetically unobtrusive spring retainer.

Whether or not you've worn braces previously, most people are familiar with what a retainer is, and the purpose behind wearing one. After all, it’s fairly safe to assume that at one point in our teenage lives, we all knew someone who wore a retainer – and likely tossed it into the lunchroom trashcan a few times as well. What many incorrectly assume, though, is that retainers only come into play after having worn braces for a few years. Thankfully, for adults with a few teeth to straighten, that's not the case. A spring retainer is a pretty simple device. Its role is simply to apply force to your teeth so they can be aligned correctly. As a result, they can be worn by anyone with a need to straighten their teeth. Wearing braces is not a prerequisite.

Spring retainers are made from a variety of materials, and can be purchased with the traditional support wire that straddles the front of one's teeth, or with a clear plastic front-piece for a more cosmetic effect.  For a retainer to produce the results you desire, however, the same rules apply as they did when you were a kid – you've got to wear it, and you've got to listen to your dentist. Correcting misaligned teeth, and keeping them straight, requires vigilance and a good routine, and it's the only way to get sustained results. In fact, for many people, not wearing a retainer the right way in the past is likely to be the reason they need to wear one again as an adult!

Mildly crooked teeth are something many of us deal with in the decades following our teen years – even if we didn't wear braces when younger. Rest assured, there are plenty of solutions these days that can correct misalignment, and help get your smile back to straight again. 

Fun At Health Fair

This has been a really great spring season thus far! The birds are chirping, the days are getting longer, and things are looking up! It's a time for growth, rejuvenation and rebirth and that's why I was very excited to do the Riverside Baptist Health Fair earlier this month!

One of our great patients asked me if I would volunteer. She explained that each year they have a health fair at her church where different providers come from all around the community and do screenings and provide information to help people with the resources they need. They had never had a dentist before but fair-goers in the past had asked for resources concerning their smiles and she was nice enough to think of asking me to attend.

The patient that asked me to come (Joan) met me at an informational talk I did at the Pinecrest Community Center. She knew that I was not shy to present and could answer questions as needed. I was happy and honored she asked me and said of course I would help out at the fair.

Well... The health fair was great! There were people from all over - many came from the community and many from the church itself. Everyone was very nice and they seemed to appreciate my presence there. They were not shy about asking questions and I even got to look in a couple mouths. 

I love answering questions and meeting new people. I give my cell phone freely and tell people to call me anytime if they have a question or what to "talk teeth". It was a great experience overall and I hope to do many more fairs in the future!

 

Thanks Joan for inviting me to the health fair. It was great!!

 Me at the health fair... We were talking teeth in a BIG way!

Whitening Tips

I was recently asked to offer some thoughts for an article on the ever popular subject of TEETH WHITENING. I thought it would only be fair to share the information I offered for the article here on my blog space for anyone interested! I tried not to give the same ol' tips. Comments and questions are welcomed!

- Dr. John Addison

Patients are constantly asking what they can do to have a whiter smile or keep their smile bright. Here is a brief list of some common do's and don't's I often recommend...

1) Do use a high quality automatic toothbrush.
My favorite is the sonicare... There is simply no comparison between brushing with a high quality automatic toothbrush vs a regular manual toothbrush. Ask your dentist to demonstrate to you and you will see the obvious difference. A toothbrush like the sonicare has a vibrating action that helps remove stains and keeps teeth bright. The power of a high quality automatic toothbrush simply cannot be replicated using a manual toothbrush. It's your number one daily defense and nowadays they come with timers so you know you're working long enough and hard enough to keep those pearly whites gleaming.

2) Don't avoid foods that stain - manage their effects!
I know this seems counter-intuitive but to be completely honest there are so many foods and drinks out there that can stain the teeth, it is ludicrous to try and live in avoidance of them. Teeth have a crystalline porous structure and anything we eat or drink that has color can stain the teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine and foods that are acidic are the worst offenders. But, your teeth are there to be used so I tell patients to eat what they want and smile when they want. The key is how you take care of your teeth. If you need your morning coffee to get started each day, don't avoid it. Instead have the coffee but consider brushing your teeth immediately after with a whitening toothpaste or swishing with a whitening rinse. This way you are keeping the stains from settling into the deeper pours of the teeth. Most whitening agents contain peroxides which help to dissolve stains away and are most effective immediately after the food or drink has contacted the teeth.

3) Do visit your dentist more regularly
I know, I know... no one likes going to the dentist. But its really very important to keep a healthy, bright white smile. Research shows the most healthiest among us need to go to the dentist for a checkup and cleaning at least two times a year. However, a lot of folks don't realize they might need to be going three or even four times per year. A good dentist concerned with health and esthetics has special instruments that can remove harmful deposits and stains. When you miss a regular visit, the deposits and stains start to layer upon one another and work their way deeper into the teeth. Eventually, the teeth go from having more surface stains to actually changing their characteristic color. Technology has helped us quite a bit too. Look for a dentist with a tool called Prophy-Jet. It's a lot like a mini sand-blaster for your teeth that the dentist or hygienist uses to remove surface staining. It can make a truly dramatic difference!

4) Don't be afraid to whiten.

Whitening has been around for decades now and is very safe. Professional whitening is the best because your dentist can make you a custom tray that will hold the whitening solution in close contact to your teeth without harming your gums. The dentist can also use a stronger whitening solution that can get teeth quite a few shades brighter. Having said that, there are many good over-the-counter white strips that can work effectively too. The key is to start using them immediately after you have had your teeth cleaned. The strips will not be effective if they are placed over surface deposits. Professional whitening has been the most effective for a long time but people used to be afraid because it would cause so much sensitivity. There are some great desensitizing gels now that allow us to do our whitening without the sensitivity so you can get the gain without the pain.

5) Do use a straw!

This last one is such a simple concept but it can have huge effects. Anyone that can get into the habit of using a straw when they drink is doing their teeth a big favor. Drinks are loaded with sugars and in a solution especially with carbonation, these sugars, acids and pigments  essentially bathe the teeth. This increases staining and also increases cavities. Using a straw transports the beverage away from the teeth and to the back of the tongue and palate. Someone that regularly uses a straw will have teeth that stay brighter longer!