Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Dry Mouth is a symptom rather than a specific disorder. Saliva cleanses the mouth and begins the digestive process as foods are chewed. Adequate saliva flow coats and lubricates the mouth. When dry mouth or xerostomia occurs, soft tissues get irritated and inflamed and are more susceptible to oral infections. Without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate salivary flow, tooth decay and periodontal disease become more prevalent.   Constant dryness and lack of protection provided by saliva contribute to bad breath.  In denture wearers, dentures feel less comfortable without the thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to the mouth.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Prescribed and over the counter medications have emerged as the most common cause of dry mouth.

Medications including  antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, diuretics, anti hypertensives and anti depressants are among 400 other medications that have side effects of dry mouth.

Aging does minimally reduce the salivary flow.

Radiation of head and neck

Emotional stress 

Autoimmune disease like Sjogren’s  syndrome and diabetes

.

Hormonal alterations associated with  pregnancy and menopause have been associated with dry mouth.

Symptom Relief

Chewing sugar free gum or candy to stimulate salivation

 Drinking frequent sips of water

Use of alcohol free oral rinses

Restricted use of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages

Regular check- ups and teeth cleaning are more important in mouths experiencing  xerostomia  to minimize decay and periodontal disease.  Additional fluoride products may be recommended to safeguard your dental health.

Visit www.mydentistchino.com for additional information.

Tooth Loss and Replacement Options

Because looking and feeling good are important to us all, it is wise to maintain a healthy and attractive smile throughout life.

Over 35 million Americans are missing all their teeth and 178 million people in the US are missing at least one tooth. Regular dental visits and early intervention significantly reduce the need to extract teeth.

 Loss of teeth happens from dental decay, gum or periodontal disease, result of injury or excessive wear from habits like grinding and teeth clenching.

All teeth work together to help you chew, speak and smile. When teeth are missing, it is difficult to do these things. Fortunately, missing teeth can be replaced to restore function and smiles.

 

A Dental implant is much like a natural tooth where a metal post in placed into the bone beneath the gum. It fuses to the bone and acts like the root of a tooth. When the metal post is secure in the bone, a crown is designed and fabricated to blend with the other teeth in the mouth. Dental implants also can be used to anchor loose dentures. Dental implants are safe, predictable and secure but not an option for everyone.

Fixed  Bridge is a restoration of one or more adjoining teeth by anchoring onto  the teeth  adjacent to the space.  These restorations are cemented or bonded and therefore remain in the mouth permanently without the need to remove and clean them. This option involves tooth preparation and reduction of the  anchor teeth.

Removable partials and dentures are the least invasive  and  are readily taken out of the mouth for cleaning. Removables usually have replacement teeth attached to gum colored plastic bases connected by a metal framework and are either supported by embracing natural teeth or by simply resting over the gum tissue. Over time, with age and bone changes, the removable may no longer fit well and may need periodic modifications.

How best to replace missing teeth is an important decision. 

For a thorough evaluation and discussion on choices, call 909 627 6699 or visit www.mydentistchino.com

Time to De-Stress

 Stress has become a common concern as more of us encounter stress in our daily lives. We do know of its negative effects on the body and mind. Our mouths too are just as likely to be affected by stressful situations as our bodies and mind.

Dental conditions associated with stress include-

Bruxism or night grinding: Teeth significantly wear and/or fracture due to heavy biting during sleep as  a result of internalizing stress.  Long term bruxism eventually can lead to facial and tempero-mandibular pain which is often debilitating.  A nightguard is recommended to protect the jaw and teeth.

Canker sores- Although the causes of these sores are still unknown, they are often brought on by stress. They are quite painful  and treatment is often symptomatic. Medications and laser treatment can  reduce the severity and duration of the sores.

Dry Mouth is often caused by stress reducing the salivary function  as well as with the use of anti depressants and other medications. Chronic dry mouth leads to a host of dental issues including increase in cavities, periodontal and gum disease, soft tissue conditions.  Improved oral hygiene and regular visits significantly reduce the potential for  loss of bone or teeth. 

Lichen Planus in the mouth is characterized by white lacy patterns, sores and ulcers. This condition is believed to be a reaction to viral infections caused by stress.

Gum disease- Long term stress suppresses the immune system  which in turn increases the susceptibility to infections including periodontal disease.

If you are feeling stressed, take proper measures to reduce the stress in your life such as eating well, exercising, getting plenty of sleep.  If you suffer from extreme anxiety or depression, seek timely professional help.

If you are concerned with stress affecting your mouth or teeth, our office can address your concerns and treat as necessary.

 Call  909 627 6699 or Visit www.mydentistchino.com to reach us.

Teeth Clenching and Grinding

Bruxism is a condition where the individual clenches or grinds teeth causing significant damage to the teeth, facial muscles and the TMJ (tempero  mandibular  joint).

Sleep bruxism or night grinding is a sleep disorder that is often associated with other sleep conditions like snoring and/ or pauses in breathing (sleep apnea)

Symptoms include-

Teeth grinding and clenching sounds that can awaken the sleep partner

Worn, flattened, chipped or loose teeth

Worn enamel causing increased sensitivity from exposed dentin

Jaw or facial pain and soreness

Dull headaches originating in the temple region

Tired of tight jaw muscles

Teeth Indentations on the tongue

Causes include-

Emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger

Abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth

Uncommon side effects to psychiatric medications

Stomach acid reflex into esophagus

Coping or focusing habit

Prevention and early intervention is key to alleviating debilitating pain and irreversible damage of tooth structure requiring extensive restorative procedures

Call 909 627 6699 to schedule  a one on one consultation with Dr. Cherukuri

Teeth On Vacation

Vacations mean different things for different people. Some simply want to stay home and not have a watch or schedule to dictate their day. Some others may want to visit family or go to far off destinations while some others like the pampering of cruises and resorts.  Some others may like to use the extended daylight hours to to catch up on pending projects and tasks including medical and dental check ups.

 June officially begins the summer vacation season and as preparations begin, you want to put your plan to action.

 

Tips for dental health during vacations.

If an exotic vacation spot is your destination, ensure that you and your teeth are healthy enough to travel. Schedule you annual health and semi annual dental check up well before your planned trip.  Tooth pain is exaggerated in higher altitudes and a remote island may not be the best place to be treated for excruciating tooth pain.

Even while you are on vacation, remember your dental hygiene cannot be on one as well. Stay on top of your brushing, flossing and rinsing routines and enjoy a bright and healthy smile.

While playing outdoor sports, always wear athletic mouth guards. In the event of an injury, immediately apply ice to reduce swelling and leave severed or fractured teeth is a clean liquid medium and see dentist as soon as possible.

If you have put off making an appointment because your schedule has been busy, this may be the best time to invest in getting a routine examination out of the way or if extensive treatment with multiple appointments is needed, summer or vacation time will be the best time to get the long pending procedures like wisdom extractions or orthodontics (braces) out of the way.

Call 909 627 6699 to make an appointment or visit www.mydentistchino.com for more information.

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Thirty to fifty percent of adults snore.  Snoring increases with age and is more common in men than in women.  Forty percent of men and twenty percent of women over thirty snore habitually.  Fifty percent of them have obstructive sleep apnea which can be life threatening. Alarmingly, eighty percent of them are undiagnosed.

Proper diagnosis for sleep apnea is necessary before treating snoring.  Snorers don’t necessarily have OSA or OSA patients are not necessarily snorers.

 Most common form of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA.   Mild to moderate OSA can be effectively treated by dentists using oral appliances.  Favorable compliance with use of oral appliances makes it a more successful option of treating OSA than the more cumbersome and the less favored medical options. 

Causes of air passage restriction include that cause snoring and/or sleep apnea include-

Obstruction of nasal airway

Weak throat muscles with advancing age or use of medications and alcohol.

Sleeping position

Obesity

It is said that we can live three weeks without food, three days without water but only three minutes without oxygen. OSA can take off twelve to fifteen years of one’s life while smoking and Type 2 Diabetes shorten by five to ten years.

Consult your dentist or sleep physician for more information on the condition and treatment options.

 Call 909 627-6699 for appointment or visit www.mydentistchino.com  for more  information on our services.