Dry Mouth Causes and Treatment

Dry Mouth Causes and Treatment

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that develops when the body isn’t producing enough saliva. This is a common condition, which can cause discomfort to one in four adults. The number one cause of dry mouth is that it occurs as a side effect from medication use. Fortunately, our doctors at Southern Cross Dental can treat the problem.

Saliva is an essential part of a healthy mouth. Saliva not only aids in the digestion of the food and beverages we consume, it protects the oral tissues in the mouth that are prone to infection and decay. Dry mouth commonly occurs as a side effect of blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, and many others. Other causes of dry mouth may include dehydration, diabetes, smoking, and/or autoimmune disorders. To treat dry mouth, you will first need a proper diagnosis. After this has been determined, our doctors may suggest an over-the-counter prescription that helps stimulate saliva flow and/or artificial saliva to help keep your mouth wet.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dry mouth, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Dental Crown Procedure

Dental Crown Procedure

Our doctors at Southern Cross Dental usually recommend dental crowns to patients who have large fillings, broken teeth or cracked teeth. A dental crown is a fixed prosthetic device that is cemented onto existing teeth or implants. The purpose a dental crown serves is to strengthen a particularly weak tooth that needs to be held together or requires a dental bridge, or to enhance the appearance of a tooth if it is extremely discolored.  If you’ve been told you need a dental crown, allow us to explain how the procedure works to prepare you for your appointment.

The procedure for installing a dental crown is usually completed in two separate visits to the office. During your first appointment, one of our doctors will examine the tooth in question to guarantee that it will support a dental crown. Once this is confirmed, the doctor will begin preparing the tooth for the crown. You will then be fitted for a temporary crown while your permanent one is constructed in a dental lab. Once your permanent crown is ready, you will have your second appointment where it will be placed.

If you have questions or concerns regarding dental crowns, please give us a call. To learn about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

Dry Sockets

We regularly carry out extractions at Southern Cross Dental and our patients always leave with clear post-operation instructions. Nevertheless, we are on the lookout for complications and want our patients to know how to recognize signs of a dry socket.

When a tooth is removed, a hole leading down to the jawbone will be left open. It is necessary for the patient to develop a blood clot to seal this off until it naturally closes, or else the socket will painfully dry out, leaving the patient vulnerable to infection. Therefore, we will need to know all the medications the patient is on before the extraction in order to determine if any of them will interfere with clot formation. Patients will also have to abstain from sipping through straws or otherwise creating suction in their mouths which could dislodge the clot once it’s been formed.

Dry sockets are most likely after difficult extractions that required incisions and sutures. They usually develop within two days of the extraction. Patients who are in severe pain should request an emergency appointment. We will clean the socket and provide medicated wound dressing in place of the clot. We will monitor the patient’s recovery much more closely after that and provide prescriptions if painkillers or antibiotics are necessary.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit SouthernCrossFamilyDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.

 

Acid Reflux

We see many causes of aching teeth and gum disease at Southern Cross Dental. Some of them are due to smoking or bad hygiene, but diet, medications, and lifestyle can also be a contributing factor. This is particularly the case with people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD or acid reflux.

Hydrochloric acid is necessary for the breakdown of foods, but people are in for a lot of discomfort if it leaves the stomach. Unfortunately, the sphincter separating the stomach from the esophagus sometimes fails, allowing acid to back up into the throat and mouth. Some ways of preventing this from happening are to avoid slouching and to cut back on acidic foods and drinks such as garlic, onions, citrus juice, tomatoes, and alcohol. Smoking and caffeine are also known to contribute to acid reflux.

Acid reflux not only corrodes the teeth and gums, it also damages the salivary glands. Without enough saliva, the mouth will dry out, putting it at risk of infection and making sleeping much more difficult. Chewing sugarless gum is one easy way to stimulate new saliva production. People who have suffered acid reflux for a long time may also require a fluoride treatment in our office to restore the minerals to their enamel.

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit SouthernCrossFamilyDentistry.com and fill out a contact sheet.