Dr. V. Grover

Dry mouth or Xerostomia is characterized by the drying of the mouth as a result of reduced saliva secretion. Secretion of an adequate amount of saliva helps in chewing & swallowing of food which in turn creates a healthy oral cavity. A recent study showed that women have more chances of getting a dry mouth as compared to men. If not diagnosed on time, dry mouth might lead to mouth infections, severe damage to the teeth enamel and gingivitis.

The symptoms of dry mouth include, but are not limited to:

• Craving for water in regular intervals.
• Swollen tongue.
• Dry eye.
• Significant trouble while swallowing, speaking or chewing along with disturbing bad breath.
• Severe headaches and formations of ulcers in the mouth

Causes:
1. This condition might occur as a side effect of:
a. Other serious conditions such as GERD, Alzheimer's disease, HIV/AIDS etc.
b. Side effects of medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy; this might result in significant damage to the salivary glands.
c. Side effects of drugs prescribed for diarrhea, nausea, asthma, obesity, depression, Parkinson's disease etc.

2. Abnormal consumption of marijuana, crystal methamphetamine and tobacco might cause dry mouth.

3. It can occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding, dry mouth can be a common occurrence because of acute dehydration.

4. Sleep apnea, snoring and breathing through your mouth instead of the nose on a daily basis might induce dry mouth.

5. Severe damage to the nerves might result in dry mouth conditions.

Treatment:

1. A healthy amount of water consumption, about 3 liters every day, will help to keep the mouth wet.
2. Application of toothpaste and mouthwashes containing fluoride twice a day will help to keep the mouth moist.
3. You should change the dosages of medicines after consulting your doctor if Xerostomia is primarily occurring as a result of side effect of the drugs.
4. Prescribed dosage of medicines such as "Pilocarpine" might induce increased saliva secretion.
5. Try breathing through the nose instead of your mouth to avoid Xerostomia.

Do not use your teeth for doing something other than chewing food. Using them for cracking nuts, removing bottle tops or ripping open packaging can result in chipped or broken teeth.

As a parent it is essential that you condition your kids with healthy dental maintenance habits.

Baby teeth play an important role in helping your child bite and chew food, and speak clearly.

ORAL HYGIENE FOR YOUR TODDLER

A toddlers’ dental care regime includes wiping your child’s gums with an infant gum massager, clean damp gauze or a washcloth.

Once your child’s teeth come in, brush them twice a day using a soft bristled toothbrush with water.

Why it’s so important ?

Underneath your child’s baby teeth, the roots and position of the adult teeth are growing into place.Research shows that children who develop cavities in their baby teeth are more likely to develop cavities as an adult, so be sure to get your child to a dentist for a checkup. It is important to keep your child’s baby teeth clean, but once the permanent teeth start to come in you really need to make cleaning them a priority. These teeth will last your child a lifetime.

Brushing

At some point, your child will want to brush his or her own teeth. It’s fine to give him a turn. But afterwards, you should always brush your child’s teeth a second time. Most children won’t be able to brush their teeth well on their own until they are about 6-8 years old. Use fluoride toothpaste only when your child is old enough NOT to swallow it.

Nutrition

While what your child eats is important for healthy teeth, how often a child eats is just as important. Cavities can develop when sugar-containing foods are allowed to stay in the mouth for a long time. Bacteria that live on the teeth feast on these bits of food. They create acid, which eats away at tooth enamel. Between meals or snacks, saliva washes away the acid. If your child is always eating, there may not be time for this acid to get washed away.

1st Dental Visit

New parents often ask, “When should my child first see a dentist?”

Your child should see a dentist by his or her first birthday.

Losing Baby Teeth

On average children begin to lose their baby teeth when they are about 6 or 7 years old. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with your child if they lose their teeth before or after this time.

Most children lose their teeth in the same order they came in.

For example, they lose their bottom center teeth first. When a child is about 6 years old their teeth will begin to come loose. Let your child wiggle the tooth until it falls out on its own. This will minimize the pain and bleeding associated with a lost tooth.

A word of caution -Remember!

Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day, or allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps, or at night, can be harmful to the child’s teeth.

Sing along the Smile Essentials Healthy Teeth Rhyme with your Kids!

Dab on some toothpaste on my colourful brush,

There is no hurry and I should not rush,

Slowly and steadily my teeth get clean,

As I brush all over and in between,

This may take a while,

But is very important for a great SMILE!

Many of the same treatment and evaluation options that adults have are also available to kids. These include x-rays,dental sealants, orthodontic treatment and more.

Let us at Smile Essentials guide you through this process. Call us at 9209200024 and book an appointment now!