We all know drinking enough water is good for our health. And when you’re feeling parched, there’s nothing better than a tall drink of ice-cold water to dampen that dry mouth of yours. But what do you do when you find yourself constantly needing to wet your whistle? There are numerous reasons you could be suffering from dry mouth. Below are the top five. 

Physiologic 

Sometimes having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Temporary anxiety, open-mouthed breathing, mild dehydration, menopause, pregnancy, and decreased saliva due to sleep are all normal causes of dry mouth. 

Prescription medication 

Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. are known to cause dry mouth. And the higher the number of medications a person takes, the higher the chance of dry mouth. Reasons You May Have A Dry Mouth 1 2 Blog Post Copy & Paste the blog title from the top of the post 1 Copy, paste, and edit the body text. Please make sure that you’ve edited any red text below before publishing your post. 2 Download and use the image as a cover for your blog post 3 3 Download Image That’s why as we age, we tend to experience more instances of dry mouth. It’s not necessarily age-related, but our consumption of medication may cause this side effect. 

Habitual use of alcohol and tobacco 

Use of any of these products will dry out the oral cavity. Please drink in moderation, and make sure to up your water intake when you imbibe. As for tobacco, we always recommend quitting as soon as possible. 

Chronic Disease 

Diabetes, Sjogren’s disease, Sarcoidosis, Hepatitic C can all cause dry mouth. 

Psychogenic or Idiopathic 

When symptoms are present without an identifiable cause (idiopathic), or because of psychological causes (psychogenic), they can be difficult to diagnose. 

Figuring out which one is causing your dry mouth is so important because a dry mouth has a big effect on your dental health. Saliva is so important for swishing away bacteria. The dryer the mouth, the more prone you are to cavities, bad breath, and gingivitis. 

Give us a call today at, 630-469-9515 so that we can help determine the best way for you to alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth that you are experiencing. 

Proper Brushing FAQs

Should your mouth be open or closed? Is it best to brush after lunch, after dinner, or both? Flat or at an angle? We brush our teeth several times per day (hopefully!), but who knew it was so complicated. Just grab a brush a get to it, right? Hey there, not so fast, my friend! There are actually some best practices to be mindful of.

The trick is cutting through the fat and finding out exactly what works. We live in a world of alternate facts, truthiness, and fancy 'how to' lists. Who knows what we're supposed to believe! But, fear not my brushing and flossing friends, because we’ve got you covered with this handy FAQ (frequently asked questions) guide. We've simplified the whole thing for you right here!

Proper Brushing Habits

Don’t: Keep your toothbrush flat.
Do: Place your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle.

Don’t: Brush with super long strokes.
Do: Take your time! No need to clean your whole mouth in one stroke. Brush using short, side to side strokes.

Don’t: Ram your toothbrush over your teeth and gums with the force of a giant. No need to be angry with your teeth, they love you!
Do: Use a gentle touch. This will help to prevent wear and tear on your enamel as well as recession of your gums.

Don’t: Brush just once a day.
Do: Brush two to three times a day. Especially after you eat or drink something acidic (like juice or soda).

Don’t: Become emotionally attached your toothbrush.
Do: Change it out every 3-4 months. A great tip: switch out on the first day of each new season.

Don’t: Follow the crowd – the average person only brushes their teeth for 45 seconds
Do: Brush your teeth for a full 2 minutes. A helpful trick: divide your mouth into four sections. Then, sing the alphabet while brushing each section, switching sections when you hit the letter Z!

Don’t: Store your toothbrush in a closed container.
Do: Keep your toothbrush in a place where it is allowed to air dry.

Don’t: Purchase a toothbrush with medium or hard bristles.
Do: Always get a SOFT-bristled toothbrush. Soft bristles are much better for your enamel, and much kinder to your gums.

So, there you have it! Remember: Brushing is only 4-6 minutes out of your day, so start singing your ABC's and keep on brushin!!!

Porcelain Veneers vs. Tooth Bonding

When considering options to improve their smiles, patients often wonder what cosmetic choices are available to them.

Two of the most popular modern cosmetic procedures are porcelain veneers and dental bonding. While they address similar concerns, the application for each treatment is different, as is the cost and time involved. Both of these procedures are able to correct:

• Tooth Discoloration
• Chips and Minor Cracks
• Gaps in Teeth
• Undersized or Misshapen Teeth
• Enamel Defects or Wear
• Misalignment

Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin, durable strips of porcelain that fit over the front of your teeth, are custom-made using an impression of your teeth, and matched to the color of natural teeth. After minimal tooth preparation, the veneers are bonded in place. The result is a beautiful smile that can last up to twenty years and sometimes more.

Composite Resin Bonding

Cosmetic resin is used in dental bonding to fill in chips, gaps, or reshape and whiten your teeth within a single visit. The putty-like resin is applied and molded before being hardening. After it has been cured, the resin looks virtually identical to natural teeth.

What about the Cost?

Veneers can cost anywhere between $1000 and $2000 per tooth, though there are many options. The final cost will depend largely on the choices you and your dentist make together.

Tooth bonding on the other hand may cost less than half the amount of veneers, typically an average of $500 per tooth. While veneers typically last longer and are less prone to discoloration, bonding can still significantly improve the look of your smile.

Which Should You Choose?

Sometimes, as in the case of smaller chips and cracks, bonding is an effective choice. If cost or time as major issues, then tooth bonding may best fit your needs.  Another reason many people choose bonding over veneers is less preparation, compared to the prepping of the teeth that is necessary before applying veneers.

Larger areas of damage on one or more of your teeth are better addressed with porcelain veneers.
Overall, veneers have a more natural look than dental bonding, and are more durable, especially when treating large area.

Before making your decision, reach out to Dr. DeLeon and our team to help you understand the immediate and long term effects of your choices.

Call DeLeon Family Dental (630) 469-9515 for your veneers consultation.