Jaw Pain is Not Normal

Make an appointment if your jaw sometimes pops or is painful when opening and closing, chewing or when you first wake up. See a dentist also if you have an uneven bite.

Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/j/jaw-pain

See Your Dentist if You Use Tobacco

If you use any type of tobacco product, it is imperative to consistently visit Dr. Clark at least twice a year. Tobacco products can increase problems such as bad breath, and they can be a source of oral cancer. 

The American Dental Association shares this information about tobacco use: 

• Use of tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable illness in the U.S.; smoking accounts for approximately 20% of deaths.  
• When tobacco is smoked, nicotine rapidly reaches peak levels in the bloodstream and enters the brain; if the smoke is not directly inhaled into the lungs, nicotine is absorbed through mucous membranes and reaches peak blood levels and the brain more slowly.
• Although cigarettes are the most commonly used form of tobacco, other recreational tobacco formulations include conventional smokeless tobacco; compressed dissolvable tobacco; cigars; tobacco pipes and water pipes (i.e., hookahs); and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).

Dry Mouth Dangers

Dry mouth—also called xerostomia—results from an inadequate flow of saliva. It is not a disease, but a symptom of a medical disorder or a side effect of certain medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics and many others.

Saliva is the mouth’s primary defense against tooth decay and maintains the health of the soft and hard tissues in the mouth. Saliva washes away food and other debris, neutralizes acids produced by bacteria in the mouth and provides disease-fighting substances throughout the mouth, offering first-line protection against microbial invasion or overgrowth that might lead to disease.

Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include a constant sore throat, burning sensation, trouble speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. In some cases, dry mouth can be an indicator of Sjögren’s (pronounced SHOW-grins) syndrome. Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, the tear-secreting and salivary glands as well as other organs.

Without saliva, extensive tooth decay can also occur. Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. Sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. For safe, effective relief of dry mouth symptoms, look for a product with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

Source: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/dry-mouth

Risk Factors for Gum Disease

LANAP gum treatment also has many benefits, including:

• LANAP is a no cut, no sew, no fear procedure.
• Overall health upswing – Patients often tell us their overall wellness improves as the massive inflammation around their teeth is snuffed out, and their mouth returns to health.
• Less discomfort – LANAP treatment is more comfortable than traditional gum procedures, both during and after your treatment.
• Faster treatment time – your LANAP treatment requires fewer visits and less chair time.
• Quicker recovery – LANAP is minimally invasive, leading to much quicker recovery than traditional cut and sew gum surgery.
• Better long-term results – LANAP does not involve loss of gum tissue or removal of bone tissue as is experienced in the cut and sew technique.
• Safe for those who are medically compromised – LANAP therapy is safe for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions.
• Bad breath resolution: Dr Clark jokes that, “Bad breath is better than no breath at all!” Bad breath is resolved because the gums no longer are infected, bleeding or harboring accumulations of food debris and bacteria under the gums. Bad breath is toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. Imagine breathing toxic gas into your lungs constantly. It is killing you slowly as time goes by!