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Dry mouth is a common condition that most people will encounter at some stage in their life. Often, it is little more than an inconvenience and rarely serious; but prolonged bouts of dry mouth can point to underlying oral problems which should be investigated by a dentist.

Dry mouth is characterized by a lack of saliva in the mouth and can be caused by several factors. Saliva is vitally important to oral health as it helps to neutralise oral bacteria, as well as aiding in the chewing and digesting of food.

Signs of dry mouth may include:

• heightened levels of tooth decay
• increase in the number of cavities
• dry or cracked corners of the mouth
• red or inflamed mouth tissue, or other oral infection
• ‘sticky’ mouth

Causes of dry mouth can include non-oral health issues, such as high blood pressure or hormonal changes; over-the-counter medications, such as painkillers;  and also treatments for diseases, such as cancer; as well as the patient’s own emotional state. Simple dehydration can also make the mouth feel dryer than normal. Regular smokers and alcohol drinkers may also experience regular bouts of dry mouth.

In many cases, this condition can be easily and simply treated at home. Increasing fluid intake, or sucking on a hard candy to stimulate the creation of saliva, may be all that is required to alleviate the symptoms. However, more serious cases of dry mouth may require a dental check up by a dentist.

In order to ascertain the cause of more serious cases of dry mouth, a dentist will undertake a full review of the patient’s medical history and a thorough oral examination before recommending treatment. The dentist may prescribe a hydrating oral rinse, or a medicine that can help stimulate saliva production.

If the culprit is found to be medication – either prescription or over-the-counter – then an alternative treatment may be suggested. Smokers and alcohol drinkers should seek to curb their habit, and sweetened drinks, such as sodas, should be avoided.

Prolonged spells of dry mouth can lead to tooth decay, bad breath and other health problems if left untreated. As a result, it is important to consult a dentist to discuss the symptoms in cases where the condition shows no sign of receding after a time.

If you are experiencing symptoms associated with dry mouth, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa, serving Port Washington and the neighboring areas, to schedule your consultation.

In days gone by, when a patient required X-rays as part of their treatment, a dentist would use now-archaic machinery which exposed the patient and dental surgery staff to higher doses of radiation. Not only did this present a hazard to peoples’ health, it was also a slow and time-consuming process, as the X-ray required to be developed.

X-rays are used by dentists to examine areas of the teeth and mouth that might otherwise be concealed from a normal visual examination and can reveal problems that might exist beneath a tooth’s enamel, gum-tissue and jaw-bone. Today’s advancements in dental technology and the introduction of digital X-rays allow for the dentist to take X-rays faster, safer and easier than was previously allowed.

Digital X-rays don’t require film, and so the result of the X-ray is captured electronically onto a computer screen. This helps expedite the procedure and also eliminates the need for chemicals, and the dentist can view the results of the X-ray just a few moments after it has been taken.

And because the digital X-ray uses far less radiography than older X-rays, there is much less exposure to potentially harmful radiation for the patient, which in turns helps to protect the patient’s health.

Another advantage of digital X-rays is that the captured image can be manipulated to show different angles or enlarged to focus on specific areas. This can help the dentist spot potential problems early, such as early signs of cavities, that might be overlooked or missed through a normal check-up.

Digital X-rays can be used by dentists for both intra-oral and extra-oral examinations in order to assess both the teeth themselves, but also the entire mouth and structure of the jaw in great detail, and can provide valuable insight into the oral health of the patient.

And, if digital X-rays require to be shared with other oral specialists, such as a periodontist, then they can be sent securely via secure email, as opposed to requiring to be sent via special courier; meaning the patient can receive the right treatment faster than was previously available.

Digital radiography offers a safe, speedy and efficient alternative to traditional X-ray methods. By protecting the patient’s health and providing deep insight into the patient’s oral health, digital X-rays have become the top choice of dentists around the world when it comes to accurately screening a patient’s teeth and mouth.

To learn more about the benefits of digital X-rays and to schedule your next exam in Nassau County, contact East Hills Dental Associates at 516-484-6600.

For patients who have a missing tooth, or several teeth; or even those who have a tooth that is badly damaged and causing pain – perhaps through some trauma – and requires removal, they may wonder what options they may have to fill in the gap left behind by the now-missing tooth.

In scenarios such as these, dental bridges are often a recommended treatment as a good way to solve the problems associated with missing teeth. A dental bridge can conceal the loss of one, or even several teeth, and allows a dentist to replace missing teeth with a long-lasting solution that looks natural and restores much of the functionality to the patient’s mouth, such as biting and chewing functions.

The treatment involved in dental bridges involves the dentist preparing the teeth either side of the gap to be filled, by shaving off a small amount of tooth enamel. These teeth act as supports for the bridge, which sits between dental crowns that the dentist places onto each of the prepared teeth.

However, before any treatment can take place, the dentist first performs a thorough oral exam to ensure that the intended supporting teeth, known as abutment teeth, are strong and healthy enough to act as supports for the bridge.

Once treatment begins, an imprint of the patient’s teeth is taken; these are sent to a dental lab where the bridge is custom-made to fit the patient’s surrounding teeth. In the meantime, the dentist applies a temporary bridge until the patient’s bridge is returned.

Once returned, the bridge is then fitted into place in the patient’s mouth and adjusted to achieve the best possible fit. It may be necessary for further alteration of the abutment teeth, in order to achieve the desired fit. Once the patient and dentist are happy with the final result, the bridge is bonded into place and the patient can enjoy being able to eat normally and smile without embarrassment.

And of course, a good dental hygiene regime allied with twice-yearly check-ups will ensure the longevity of the dental bridge for many years. If you are in need of a tooth replacement solution in the Long Island area, contact the office of Dr. Richard Sousa today.