Parkville Dental Center

Dental health and dry mouth. We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth. The next couple of days we will be posting more information on dry mouth.

What causes dry mouth? There are several causes of dry mouth. These include: Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety,pain,allergies and colds.  Drugs to treat obesity,acne,epilepsy, hypertension, asthma can also cause dry mouth.

Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, azheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia,cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, stroke and mumps.

Did you know there are more bacteria in your mouth than there are people on earth? That's alot of germs! That's why it is so important to maintain a good oral care routine which starts with brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day. But your teeth make up only 25% of your mouth. Think about it-you have your tongue, your cheeks, and even the hardest to reach places on your teeth-all teeming with germs. That's why no matter how long you brush your teeth, you may be leaving germs behind. To help with the germs that are left behind you need to rinse with a antiseptic mouthwash . It's penetrating liquid formula goes all through your mouth to kill the germs that brushing leaves behind. And rinsing twice-a-day everyday with the mouthwash gives you protection against the germs that cause plaque and gingivitis!

Here are some more facts about gum disease and heart problems. Heart complications and gum disease are indeed linked. In fact, nearly half of all cases of infective endocarditis are caused by a bacteria found in the mouth called Streptococcus Viridans. One of the problems with advanced gum disease is that the anaerobic bacteria spread beyond the oral cavity. These harmful microorganisms will spread to other systems and organs within your body, including the heart and brain.

Gum disease and problems with the heart go hand-in-hand. Where coronary artery disease is concerned, the exact manner in which gum disease worsens the condition is still ultimately unknown. The fact remains that heart problems are twice as likely when gum disease is present. It has also been shown in recent studies that treating gum disease will lower your chances of having a stroke as well. Prevention of gum disease may seem like a low priority due to the relatively mild and painless symptoms which first appear. However, failing to learn how to prevent gum disease could potentially prove fatal as it may develop into a severe health issue if left untreated.

Coronary artery disease is a condition that can ultimately lead to heart attack and death. It is caused by a thickening of the coronary arteries due to fatty proteins clotting together and obstructing blood flow. No conclusive reason can be found as to why heart disease and gum disease area connected, but one thing that is certain is that the anaerobic bacteria are leading to the increased risks.

Scientists believe that the bacteria responsible for gum disease may enter the bloodstream and attach themselves to the fatty plaques which cause arteries to clog up. Failing to treat gum disease will cause this process of clotting to proceed even faster although the precise mechanism remains a mystery to scientists. What is known for certain is that one nearly doubles the risk of developing coronary artery disease when advanced gum disease is present.

Very few people are aware of the fact that gum disease and heart problems have been linked by numerous studies. In addition, not knowing how to prevent gum disease may ultimately lead to a number of additional medical problems. Now at its very simplest, gum disease is and an infection that is caused by bacteria in your mouth. Gum disease is more formerly known as periodontal disease. The least severe of the gum diseases is called gingivitis. Treating gum disease in the early stage becomes necessary when: gums become inflamed and takes on a reddened appearance: you notice that your gums have become sensitive to touch: bleeding becomes common during brushing or flossing: mild form of halitosis becomes evident: more susceptible to colds and minor illness. In the next few days we will post more infomation on gum disease and heart problems!

American Heart Month: February means heart disease awareness! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and increasing knowledge about prevention. Educate yourself on the dangers of heart disease and get on track to better heart health.

Many adults spend their entire lives covering their mouths when they laugh, smile or talk. They feel stuck because they do not want to wear metal braces for years or they are concerned that other corrective procedures could be too invasive or too expensive. Now, there is an effective, safe and affordable cosmetic solution that fits your lifestyle. A revolutionary combination of proven orthodontic techniques, modern materials, and innovative thought--Six Months Smiles utilizes specialized clear braces to gently straighten and align teeth in an average time of just six months. Contact Dr. Huke and take the first step towards improving your smile, your confidence and your life.

Migraines? Finally, your dental office can help! The TruDenta systems have been designed to get at the heart of your headaches, migraines, jaw pain or face pain. Through proven, state of the art technologies in the fields of advanced dentistry and medicine, you can finally get headache and migraine relief in a way that will: Reduce your pain levels and the number of days in pain: Provide headache ...relief without dependence on drug related solutions: Give you control of your healing process: Possibly even give you your life back...you know the one before all this pain took you down the path of "trying to cope". It's time to have a talk with Dr. Huke , Jeannette or Deanna about how we can help you. A simple painless screening test can determine if TruDenta is right for you.See More

What is involved in sedation dentistry? The decision to use sedation is best arrived at through a conversation between dentist and patient. Depending on the procedure, the patient's anxiety levels and other health factors (such as age or pre-existing conditions), the dentist will decide what kind of sedation and how much to use. During sedation dentistry, a patient can go through a dental procedure without being fully aware of what is happening; after the procedure, he or she may not even remember it.

Migraine headache information-the common migraine present with pain in the front, or one or both sides of the head, and can last from one to three days. The classic migraine only affects one side of the head, has a very intense aura, lasts from two to six hours, and can cause vomiting. The complicated migraine may or may not present with pain, but there's an aura , dizziness, fainting and unsteadiness. Call our office if you have migraines. Dr. Huke is a highly trained TruDenta dentist helping to improve patient's lives, not just their teeth.