David Sarment, DDS, MS, PC

Many medications cause the adverse reaction of dry mouth (xerostomia). In fact up to 1800 different drugs are known to have this as a side effect. And 80% of the leading drugs cause dry mouth. It is important to know if you are taking any medications that may have this side effect due to the oral problems it can lead to. Below is a list of common medications that may cause dry mouth symptoms:

Actonel, Accutane, Allegra, Atropine, Atrovent, Benadryl, Cipro, Claritin, Dicyclomine HCL, Diet Drugs, Ditropan Elavil, Exedrin, Fentanyl, Flagyl, Hydrochlorothiazide, Lipitor, Lisinopril, Lovastatin, Midol, Nexium (Esomeprazole magnesium),Prevacid (Lansoprazole), Prilosec (Omeprazole), Simvastatin(Zocor), Sleep medications, Spririva inhaler, Sudafed, Zyrtec.

When you have severe dry mouth, that means there is less saliva to wash food particles away. Bacteria is able to multiply faster in a drier environment because these food particles are left behind and there are less salivary components around to fight the bacteria off, and prevent bacterial growth.

Dry mouth may also cause problems with swallowing and tasting your food, both in which saliva is an aid to. Along with the basic discomfort of dry mouth, severe burning sensations may arise. This is called burning mouth syndrome, and is extremely uncomfortable. Burning mouth syndrome is usually a result of severe dry mouth or combining dry mouth with acidic or salty foods. However, burning mouth syndrome has no known etiology, and may develop on its own without dry mouth needing to be present.

To treat dry mouth, an OTC (over the counter) method may be used at first; Biotene is a company that has developed a toothpaste, mouth rinse, tongue ointment, and tissue spray, all to treat dry and burning mouth symptoms. However, if this is not helping speak to your doctor about either reducing or changing your medications. There are also salivary stimulants such as Pilocarpine (Salagen), or Cevimeline (Evoxac) that can be prescribed.

Teeth don’t just fall out because of old age. With good oral hygiene and regular professional care, your teeth are meant to last a lifetime. However, if left untreated,  periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss. It is the primary cause of tooth loss in adults 35 and over.

 Research links periodontal disease to other health problems including heart and respiratory diseases, preterm or low birthweight babies, stroke, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

Bleeding when you floss should  be noted; bleeding gums are not normal. Think of gum tissue as the skin on your hand. If your hands bled every time you washed them, you would know something was wrong.

Other signs of gum disease include: red, swollen or tender gums; sores in your mouth; gums that have pulled away from the teeth; persistent bad breath; pus between the teeth and gums (leaving bad breath); loose or separating teeth; a change in the way the teeth fit together; and a change in the fit of partial dentures.

Stannous fluoride:

A history:

In the mid-1950′s stannous fluoride (aka Fluoristan), was first incorporated in toothpaste by the company Procter and Gamble. The idea behind this was caries prevention, and the ADA was excited to provide their seal of approval. However, the trick was to make the stannous fluoride compatible with other ingredients in the toothpaste.

Stannous fluoride reduces tooth decay and at the same time decelerates the break down of tooth enamel; as does sodium fluoride. Stannous fluoride converts the calcium mineral apatite to fluorapatite which makes tooth enamel more resistant to bacteria generated acid attacks. Sodium fluoride and sodium fluorophosphate, on the other hand, become biologically inactive when combined with calcium.Researchers knew it had potential beyond sodium fluoride therefore, they continued to look for solutions for better application.

The main complications with stannous fluoride were the taste and its staining properties. Eventually a formula was produced that allowed stannous fluoride to be used in toothpaste including sodium hexametaphosphate, a extrinsic whitening agent.

Gum disease is caused by chronic inflammation. The body reacts to bacterial toxnis, causing gums to bleeding.

Gum pockets increase and bone holding teeth slowly recedes.

The initial phase of treating gum disease consists of reducing the inflammation. Healthy habits are important to success.

The periodontist can help you brush and floss well. Regular visits to the periodontist and his/her hygienist help maintain dental health

Gum disease is often treated using scaling and root planning, a conservative non-surgical procedure. But to maintain non-bleeding gums after treatment, regular maintenance is necessary. The dental hygienist, at the general dentist or periodontist, can assess gum pockets regularly.

Yet, a recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology reports that compliance to maintenance is low. At periodontist offices, about 30% of patients do not return after the active treatment. Various psychological factors are reported, including life events and stress.

Dr. David Sarment, DDS, MS

Periodontics, Dental implants

Alexandria, Virginia