Hey, my name is Shelly Katalgo. My love for sedation dentistry started in high school. My best friend had a severe fear of going to the dentist and I wanted to help her feel better about it. Although I always enjoyed my dental visits, I felt bad that she struggled so much with going to hers. My parents taught me about sedation dentistry and I instantly dreamed of becoming a dental professional. I wanted to help kids like my friend stay fear free throughout their appointments by using gentle techniques and professional medications. Although I opted to follow a different career path, my passion for dentistry remained throughout the years. I will update my site with developments in this industry as soon as they are reported. I will also discuss the benefits of sedation dentistry in detail. Thanks for visiting. I hope you come back soon.
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Understanding The Importance of Sedation Dentistry
Dry Mouth: Its Damaging Effects, Current Treatment Options, And Hope For The Future
Franklin Steward
If you're one of the 29% of adults suffering from dry mouth, you understand too well the unpleasant symptoms associated with it. Dry mouth, however, isn't just a nuisance – it can also lead to serious dental problems, such as gingivitis, tooth decay, and even thrush. Below is an overview of the damaging effects of dry mouth, currently available treatment options for the condition, and a promising new treatment option that may be available in the near future.
Why Dry Mouth is So Damaging to Your Dental Health
There are a number of medications, diseases, and infections that can lead to the unsavory effects of dry mouth, but while many people suffer from this unpleasant disorder, they see it as more of a daily annoyance than a real medical problem.
Saliva, however, is crucial to proper dental health. This antimicrobial and germ-fighting fluid not only helps you to swallow foods and properly form words, but it also acts as a layer of protection between foods and liquids that are consumed and your teeth's enamel. Without that protection, gingivitis and decay are much more common, and this can lead to further issues such as tooth loss and jaw bone damage.
Current Treatment Options
The treatment options available are as numerous as the causes. With the help of your doctor and dentist, you can find a treatment option that works best for you.
If medication is the suspected cause, a dosage adjustment or change in prescription may be a necessary first step. If the medication is vital to your health, however, or medication isn't the suspected cause, there are other options available. Your dentist may prescribe a special oral rinse to increase moisture levels in your mouth, or you may be prescribed an over-the-counter saliva substitute. While the treatment options available today can certainly help to reduce the ill effects of dry mouth and increase production of saliva, there isn't a treatment that works for everybody or a cure that can treat the condition permanently.
A New Hope for the Future of Dry Mouth Treatment
With the help of silk fibers and stem cells retrieved from the salivary glands of rats, researchers believe they may have found the ultimate treatment for this unpleasant and health-harming disorder.
According to Professor Yeh, the researcher leading the study, "salivary gland stem cells are some of the most difficult cells to grow in culture and retain their function." The cells they've generated, however, had the same characteristics of those found in the salivary glands of the mouth. If research findings are as promising as they appear now, this be-all-end-all of treatment could certainly be the next great dental discovery.
If you suffer from dry mouth, it's time to stop ignoring the symptoms. With the help of your doctor and dentist, you can get your symptoms under control and prevent further dental damage from occurring. While researchers are currently hopeful for a more universal treatment option, it's important to get your symptoms under control now without the treatment options currently available.
For more details, contact a dental clinic like Wallington Dental.
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