

The Mojave Desert is a unique environment where moisture is scarce. Your
mouth is also a unique environment, and if you suffer from Sjögren's Syndrome,
your mouth likely feels like a desert, too.
Sjögren's Syndrome occurs when your body mistakes your
salivary glands for foreign intruders and attacks them.
Occasionally,
everyone's mouth feels dry like desert sand. Perhaps it was something you ate or
a medication you took that caused your saliva flow to diminish. However, this
desert goes beyond occasional dryness, as any of the four million Sjögren's
Syndrome sufferers in the U.S. with will tell you. 
Unfortunately, someone with Sjögren's
Syndrome typically has the disease for six years before it is diagnosed because
it mimics and co-exists with several other conditions. You likely recognize the
names of two of those conditions: rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
To
complicate diagnosis, no two people have the same signs or symptoms. Some signs
and symptoms include—
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There is no cure for Sjögren's Syndrome, and saliva is one of the most
important fluids in your body. It helps to protect you from bacteria, yeasts and
viruses. 
During your regular check-ups, we can usually detect early stages
of Sjögren's Syndrome before you are aware of dryness in your mouth. We can
monitor your dental health and give you recommendations for things you can do at
home to ease the desert sand discomfort you will no doubt experience. There are
prescription medications and new over-the-counter oral care products that might
provide relief.
The desert is an interesting place to visit, but you probably
don't want to live there! If you have Sjögren's Syndrome, we need to intervene
quickly. Please call us right away if you are experiencing a dental issue. We
want to keep you and your teeth in the best of health.
Our goal is to provide you with the best dental information and care possible. One of the most valuable tools we use to achieve that goal is a patient education program.
When your hygienist or I ask you about your home oral care, you likely "tune
us out." You've heard our routine so many times you can recite it by heart. We
understand. But we are persistent because we know how important everything is
that concerns your teeth, whether it is your oral hygiene, a diagnosis or a
post-surgical procedure. 
Our patient education program was designed to help you better understand your oral issues. We will show you short, live-action videos with dynamic 3-D animations that present dental scenarios pertaining to your situation.
After the videos we can print out the information you just heard. You take
the 1-page handout home to share with your family. This is especially beneficial
if your family or loved ones need to be consulted before you make your decision
to proceed with the treatment plan.
There are also videos about cosmetic procedures you may be curious about but previously thought weren't right for you. You will see dramatic before and after photographs of real patients, not actors, who had the same procedure. Our patient education program even has videos created especially for young children, ‘tweens and teens.
Patients tell us that they appreciate being part of their treatment program. They are confident they are making good, educated decisions about their oral care.
Make an appointment today for your next regular cleaning or if you have a dental issue or concern. Come in, tune in and turn on. We'll pop the popcorn and turn down the lights!
It happens. Your best efforts to prevent tooth decay were unsuccessful. In
the Good Old Days we had one option to restore your decayed tooth: a metal
filling. Now, we have another option: a tooth-colored filling.
There are three, excellent tooth-colored filling
choices:
Composite resin—made from glass powder or quartz
and resin (a form of plastic). It is color matched to your teeth so that the
restoration will look natural. The filling is sturdy and durable. It is stronger
than a metal filling because it is bonded directly to your tooth.
Glass ionomer—made from acrylic acids (type of plastic) and
glass powders. This is a good material to fill a small cavity between your teeth
or a cavity on a tooth root. A glass ionomer filling contains fluoride, which is
good for your tooth.
Porcelain—is a clay material. After it is melted and cooled, it is extremely hard which makes it a good choice for a crown, a protective "cap" that fits over a tooth. Porcelain lets light shine through, just like your natural teeth.
Which is the best choice for you? That depends on factors such as the health of your teeth and other oral tissues, your overall health, where the cavity is located and the look you want.
Be sure and call right away if you have any dental concerns or you notice a change in your oral tissues. Together, we can make good decisions about your oral care to keep your teeth their sparkling and healthy best.
Tooth decay is the most preventable disease amongst young children; yet it is the number one, chronic childhood disease that is increasing every year according to the Centers for Disease Control. The pain and suffering caused by tooth decay affects a child's ability to learn, socialize, eat and talk.
Fluoride varnish is one simple dental procedure that can effectively fight
childhood tooth decay. Young children simply don't have the fine motor skills to
do a thorough job of brushing their teeth, so they need the extra protection
that fluoride varnish provides. 
There are several ways to deliver fluoride to teeth: gels, toothpastes, mouth
washes and foams, but the most effective is fluoride varnish. Fluoride varnish
is painted onto your child’s teeth. Paint it on and let it harden. That's it.
Over a period of time, the varnish slowly releases its fluoride to give the
teeth continuous protection. 
One study showed that when fluoride varnish was applied twice during a school year, the progress of tooth decay reversed in over 80 percent of the children tested.
Because it is so easy and quick to apply, it is a perfect solution for children who are fidgety, anxious, or emotionally or physically challenged.
The American Dental Association recommends that a child have fluoride varnish applications twice each year, which we can do during those twice-yearly regular check-ups. We need to start fluoride varnish treatments when your child is about 1–year old.
Give us a call and get that check-up scheduled. We want to make sure your youngster's teeth will be pain-free and last a lifetime!
Cancer and oral health may seem unlikely partners, but your oral tissues are going to be at the center of a firestorm when you begin cancer treatments.
If we can examine you two weeks prior to beginning your treatments, we can
likely prevent serious dental problems. 
Some oral problems you may experience and preventive measures you can do at
home include—
Xerostomia—Cancer treatments affect the
salivary glands, which result in dry mouth (xerostomia). Drink plenty of fluids,
preferably water. Without the protective saliva, oral bacteria voraciously feed
on sugary drinks and food and eventually cause tooth decay. Chew sugarless gum
or suck on mints made with the natural sweetener, xylitol. We can prescribe a
saliva substitute.
Oral hygiene—Keep a stringent oral care routine even though you won't want to crawl out of bed. Brush with fluoride toothpaste after each meal and before you go to bed, and clean your tongue with a tongue scraper. Use a mouth rinse that does not contain alcohol because alcohol can cause xerostomia. Gently floss every day.
Cavities—Radiation can cause rampant cavities. Using a gel
fluoride product every day will be your teeth's best friend.
Etched tooth enamel—A hard, protective layer of mineral covers your teeth. Cancer treatments can cause you to regurgitate stomach acids that destroy tooth enamel. Immediately after regurgitating, rinse your mouth with ¼ teaspoon baking soda stirred into 1 cup warm water.
Infection—Chemo can make you less resistant to oral bacterial and fungal infections. Watch for signs of swelling, bleeding, a sore, or a sticky white film in your mouth. Immediately call our office or your oncologist so that we can prescribe a medication to get the infection under control.
Good oral health will help you as you proceed with your cancer treatment program. It is critical that you make and keep your appointments so that we can assist you during this stressful, topsy-turvy time.