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What to Know About Dry Mouth | Kenilworth Dentist

A woman holding her head in distress, likely from a toothache, or symptoms that result from poor dental hygiene

Saliva is important because it naturally prevents tooth decay by neutralizing acids, limits bacterial growth, and washing away food particles throughout the day. It also makes the consumption of food easier as enzymes in the saliva aid in the breakdown of food. 

Dry mouth is a condition in which one’s salivary glands produce an insufficient amount of saliva to keep your mouth wet. It can be caused by a natural inability for your glands to produce sufficient saliva, medication, aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy.

While dry mouth is an inconvenience, it can also have a notable impact on your general and oral health.

Common symptoms include:

– Dryness or sticky mouth feel

– Bad breath

– Dry or grooved tongue

– Difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing

Complications:

– Increased plaque

– Mouth sores

– Tooth decay

– Gum disease

– Sores or split skin around the mouth

Due to the variety of causes for dry mouth, it’s important to discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor. Your dentist however may be a good resource for suggestions about how to protect your teeth.

Some suggestions may include a fluoride tray or rinse to prevent cavities. There are also  prescription or over-the-counter artificial saliva or moisturizers to lubricate your mouth. These can be effective means of alleviating discomfort in addition to suggestions made by your physician.

At-home remedies:

– Sip water or chew ice chips during the day and during meals

– Chew sugar-free gum

– Over-the-counter saliva substitutes

– Breathe through your nose

– Utilize a humidifier

Dry mouth habits:

  – Consumption of caffeine and alcohol

– The use of tobacco, antihistamines, and decongestants

– Consumption of sugary, acidic, spicy or salty foods

For more information regarding dental exams, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Reasons You May Have Bad Breath | Kenilworth Dentist

Fresh Breath

Nobody wants to realize that they have bad breath. We can’t always have minty fresh breath, but if it’s a common occurrence, it may be because of a more serious issue. So, pop a stick of sugar-free gum in your mouth and take a look at reasons you may have bad breath:

Food. Stinky foods enter your bloodstream as we digest them, travel to your lungs and affect your breath. But food in general increases the bacteria that causes bad breath as it breaks down.

Tobacco products. Tobacco products stink as is, but smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, including your tongue, causing bad breath.

Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. Dry mouth can contribute to bad breath as saliva production decreases. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to the dreaded “morning breath”.

Medications. Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.

Infections in your mouth. Oral surgery, tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores, can all cause your breath to turn.

Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.

Other causes. Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce.

For more information regarding bad breath, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Don’t Become Stressed out by Your Resolutions | Kenilworth Dentist

We are days away from 2022 – are you ready for it? Does it include making resolutions? For many of us, a new year means a fresh start at creating the life we always wanted. We improve our health, our financial situations, even our relationships with each other. We make a list of promises and hope to be able to achieve those promises as the year progresses.

Unfortunately, this list of to-dos can become daunting. No one want to be stressed out trying to achieve these goals they’ve set for themselves, but studies over the past two decades have shown a direct link between stress, anxiety and gum disease. Heightened stress contributes to the lowering of the body’s immune system. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed working on yourself, take a moment to calm yourself down a bit. Because stress can cause other dental health risks:

Bruxism. This is a condition where sufferers grind their teeth unconsciously, especially while they’re asleep. If diagnosed, wear a custom night guard while sleeping.

Canker sores. While experts have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of canker sores, stress has been known to cause it. 

Dry mouth. Certain medications used to treat depression, which by the way may be caused by stress, can cause dry mouth.

Burning mouth syndrome. Characterized as a burning sensation on either the tongue, lips, gums or palate.

Lichen planus. This is a condition where white lines, sores and ulcers appear in the oral cavity somehow caused by the body’s reaction to the viral infections brought about by stress.

TMJ/TMD. The trauma from the constant tooth grinding is, as well as anxiety and depression, are all very well-known causes of TMJ.

For more information regarding stress, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.

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Did You Know that Snoring Affects Your Smile? | Kenilworth Dentist

It’s unfortunate for any light sleeper, but snorers are some of the worst partners to sleep with. Most people just dismiss it as a normal part of sleeping because it’s just so common. But it’s far more than keeping you awake. Not only are they having issues breathing when they sleep, but they are also causing other oral health issues. But snoring is quite harmful and more importantly, affects your teeth and oral health.

While we may have snored at one point or another, the snoring can go from being a mild nuisance and disturbance to a symptom of something more serious, like sleep apnea. But what exactly is causing us to snore in the first place? Here are some common factors that can cause you to snore:

Bad habits. The use of alcohol, sedatives and even tobacco. Any one of these products can force your throat muscles to relax more than usual and promote the obstruction of the airways, which causes snoring.

Nasal problems. Those with chronic nasal congestion may interfere with their air flow every time they breathe and cause snoring.

Anatomical conditions. Some people with elongated uvulas or low, thick, soft palates, large tonsils or adenoids naturally have narrower airways, and this can cause snoring. Those who are overweight and obese do too, but this is because of the excess fat on the back of their throats.

Pregnancy. Pregnant women, those who have a long family history of snoring, those who are aged 40 and above, as well as males are more likely to develop snoring problems as well.

Dry mouth. Our teeth need saliva for protection and because snoring causes your mouth to dry out, leading to a variety of oral health problems.

For more information regarding snoring, contact Drs. Freund and Waterloo today at 847-251-8990 or visit www.villagedentalpc.com.

Drs. Chad Freund and Cathy Waterloo proudly serves Kenilworth and all surrounding areas.