“Be true
to your teeth or they will be
false to you!”
(one of Dr
Clark’s many “wise old sayings”)
NO! We don’t have to lose teeth as we advance in
maturity! During the coming weeks I will provide a series of postings to help us keep our teeth and gums
healthy, attractive, functional and comfortable. A healthy mouth can help us
have a long and healthy life.
High Risk Problem: Dry
mouth.
Many more mature people have this challenge. But anyone with dry
mouth can benefit from this discussion.
Dry mouth can cause a dramatic increase in both tooth decay and
gum disease. This is because the acid produced by plaque does not get diluted
or neutralized by saliva flowing over your teeth and gums.
Causes: Dry mouth can be caused by a number of different factors.
Medications, mouth breathing/snoring, CPAP devices, alcohol containing mouth
washes, alcohol consumption, smoking, and high speed travel with your mouth
open (ha,ha).
What YOU can do:
1. Dry mouth products: I personally use over-the-counter Biotene
products. I recommend their PBF Tooth paste and mouth wash, moisturizing spray,
and moisturizing gel to apply to teeth and gums as needed and before sleeping.
We sometimes have samples of these products.
2. Be sure to keep your teeth
extra clean, especially along the gums and between the teeth. The most
important time to clean your teeth is just before bed. Most people have
less saliva while sleeping so remaining bacteria and food debris do more damage
at night.
3. Choose xylitol containing:
fluoride toothpaste, candy, and sugar replacements.
4. Use only alcohol free
mouth washes. Smart mouth 12 hour breath rinse fights tooth decay, gum disease
and bad breath.
How WE can help:
1. NEW! We are now
offering a series of low cost chemical treatments to arrest cavities that have
started and kill off the bacteria which cause cavities. This can decrease
sensitivity and buy you some time to complete your needed dental treatments.
2. Smart mouth 12 hour mouth
rinse – we offer larger bottles than are available in retail stores at a lower
cost per ounce.
3. In office and at home
fluoride varnish treatments. We now use a fluoride varnish which lasts
longer by sticking to your teeth in the areas where you most need it.
4. Regular professional
cleanings and checkups to detect problems early.
We look forward to helping you overcome some simple
challenges now, so that your future is bright and your teeth
are strong!
Call us today to schedule a free consultation!
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