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- 2019
- November (7)
- 4 Foods That Are Good for Both Your Mouth and Your Body
- Getting a 'New Tooth in One Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
- Restore Your Smile With Dental Implants
- Adult Tooth Root Resorption is a Serious Issue that Requires Prompt Action
- Seek Coordinated Treatment If You Have Both TMD and Fibromyalgia
- Here's What You Can Do to Avoid Gum Disease
- Dental Sealants Give Children an Added Boost Against Tooth Decay
- October (6)
- The Before, During and After of Root Canal Treatments
- Vitamins Can Help Keep Your Oral Health in Top Shape
- Don't Delay Seeing the Dentist If You Suspect Gum Recession
- Implant Failure Is Rare, but Possible. Here Are a Few Ways to Avoid It
- These Popular Drinks Could Put Your Enamel in Danger of Erosion
- There Are a Lot of Bacteria in Your Mouth but Only a Few Mean You Harm
- September (7)
- Watch Out for These Dental Health Issues as You Age
- 4 Serious Health Conditions That Gum Disease Might Make Worse
- Topical Fluoride Offers a Protective Boost to Children at High Risk for Decay
- Four Reasons Why Your Gums Deserve Your Care
- How Root Canal Therapy Can Save Your Smile
- A Partnership With the Dentist Will Help Your Child's Teeth Develop Normally
- Smoking Could Increase Your Gum Disease Risk
- August (6)
- Speaking of Wellness: Enjoying Great Oral Health for a Lifetime
- Despite Some Online Sources, Root Canals Don't Cause Disease
- Your Reoccurring Sinus Infections May Actually Be Caused by Tooth Decay
- See Your Dentist if You Have one of these Top 3 Oral Problems
- Don't Let Gum Disease Cut Short Your Implant's Service Life
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Improve Your Bone Health
- July (8)
- This Rare Tongue Condition Often Looks Worse than it Actually is
- Floss First or Last? Here are Reasons for Either Approach
- Don't Use Benzocaine Products to Ease Your Baby's Teething Pain
- Do a Little Extra Food Prep to Ease TMD Discomfort
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Getting an Implant - if it's Under Control
- Signs That You Might Need a Filling
- How Early Dental Visits Can Improve Your Child's Oral Health
- Watch Out for Re-Infection After a Root Canal Treatment
- June (6)
- 3 Tips for Successful, Safe Home Teeth Whitening
- Primary Teeth are Critical to Future Dental Health and Worth Preserving
- Transforming Your Smile with Veneers, Step by Step
- Getting a New 'Tooth in a Day' Will Depend on Your Bone Health
- How Dentists Provide Your Child the Benefit of X-Rays as Safely as Possible
- Here's How You Can Protect Your Child's Teeth from Tooth Decay
- May (6)
- Topical Fluoride can Enhance Your Child's Dental Care
- You Might Avoid a Root Canal with This Tooth-Saving Procedure
- 3 Things You Can do to Help Promote Your Child's Dental Development
- Root Canals are a Safe Way to Save Teeth
- Your Teenager's Teeth May Not Be Mature Enough for Veneers
- Preserving the Pulp is Priority One with a Newly Erupted Permanent Tooth
- April (7)
- Your 'Toothache' Might not be Caused by a Tooth
- Renew Your Smile With Veneers
- Take Positive Action with Your Child's Thumb-Sucking Habit
- Stopping Tooth Decay Could Require Root Canal Treatment
- Clear Aligners Make it Easier for Teenagers to have Their Teeth Straightened
- Your Sinus Infection Might be a Sign of a Tooth Problem
- Dentures with Implants Could Help You Avoid Bone Loss
- March (6)
- Catch Root Resorption Early for Best Chances of Saving Your Tooth
- If a Root Canal Can't be Done, this Procedure Might Save Your Tooth
- Spring Into Better Oral Health
- New Materials Add Strength to Veneers' Beautiful Life-Likeness
- What You Should Do to Protect an Older Loved One's Dental Health
- Is There a Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Health?
- February (7)
- Improve Your Smile With Cosmetic Dentistry
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Your Toothache is Telling you Something's Wrong in Your Mouth
- Not Jazzed About Wearing Braces? Consider Clear Aligners Instead
- Dental Sealants can help Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
- If at All Possible, Primary Teeth are Worth Saving
- Professional Whitening Offers an Effective Way to Restore Your Smile's Luster
- January (6)
- Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- 2018
- December (7)
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- New Year, New Smile
- Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- November (6)
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Foods That May Help You Prevent Tooth Decay
- October (7)
- Teens May Need a Temporary Replacement for Missing Teeth
- New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- How to Determine If You Have a Dental Emergency
- August (7)
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- When are Dental Crowns Needed?
- Sleep Apnea Might be Robbing you of More than a Good Night's Sleep
- July (7)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- June (6)
- Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
- March (5)
- Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
- 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
- Removing Teeth Could Improve the Outcome for a Crowded Bite
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
- 2017
- December (6)
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- What Can Dental Bonding Do for Me?
- New Year's Resolutions for Better Oral Health
- June (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Do You Have A Gap In Your Teeth?
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- May (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- April (5)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- February (6)
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- Do I Really Need Dental Implants?
- Could a Metal Allergy Keep You From Getting a Dental Implant?
- January (5)
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
- Chronic Jaw Pain Could be Related to Other Inflammatory Conditions
- Non-Prescription Pain Medication can Manage Most Post-Procedure Discomfort
- 2016
- October (5)
- New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
- Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
- Are You Brushing Correctly?
- Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- June (6)
- Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- Do Your Dentures and Mouth a Favor: Take Them Out at Night
- 4 Things You Should be Doing to Maintain a Healthy Mouth
- Can Dental Implants Help Me?
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- May (5)
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
- March (5)
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- February (5)
- FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- What Do I Need To Do To Take Care of My Dental Veneers?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- 2015
- December (6)
- Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
- The truth about cavities
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- October (6)
- Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Lost a Tooth? You Have Options
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
- August (5)
- Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
- While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
- The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
- Look at the Long-Term Costs When Considering Dental Implants
- Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
- July (6)
- Ridge Augmentation Gives You an Even Smile
- To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Know What to Expect During Your Child's 'Baby' Teeth Phase
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
- May (5)
- Emergency Dentistry - Have Your Emergency Handled By A Professional
- Do You Need Antibiotics Before Having a Dental Procedure?
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
- Using Sinus Surgery to Stimulate Bone Growth for Implants
- April (6)
- Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
- What Can A Deep Cleaning Do For Gum Disease?
- Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Timing is Everything When it Comes to Treating Mouth Injuries
- Root Canal Therapy Stops Infection In Its Tracks
- February (5)
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
- Choose a Mouthrinse Carefully if you want to Enhance your Dental Health
- Why Dental Implants Are Made To Restore Your Smile
- Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
- 2014
- September (6)
- Acute Tooth Pain may be Signaling Your Need for Root Canal Treatment
- 3 Dental Options For The Perfect Smile
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Treating Chipped Teeth: A Common Sports Injury Among Kids
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- August (5)
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
- Several Factors Determine Tooth Longevity After a Root Canal Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- 2013
- December (6)
- A Crowning Achievement: Natural-Looking Teeth
- Brushing and Flossing - Two Key Elements to Avoiding Dental Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- Five Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- Dental Implants Help Kissimmee Residents Restore Their Smiles
- Preventing Early Childhood Cavities
- October (6)
- "No-Prep" Veneers may be an Option for Some Patients
- Five Facts About Tooth-Colored Fillings
- End the Embarrassment of Stained Teeth with Whitening
- Kissimmee Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mansour, Builds Confident Smiles and Healthier Mouths
- Protect Your Enamel From the Damaging Effects of Acid
- Five Things You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
- 2012
- August (7)
- What Is A Crown?
- Bad Breath? Try a Tongue Scraper
- Father's Day Tip: Step Up & Improve Your Dental Health!
- Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- What Is Gum Recession and How Is It Treated?
- 2011
- 2010
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My Blog
Posts for: December, 2015
Brushing your teeth and flossing help prevent cavities, but they aren't the only steps you can take to reduce tooth decay. Your Hunters Creek dentist, Dr. Adel Mansour explains some surprising truths about cavities.
It's not just sugar that's the problem
Most people know that eating sugary foods, like candy, can increase your risk of cavities, but sugary foods aren't the only culprits. Eating foods that contain carbohydrates, such as bread, bagels and crackers, also increase your risk since carbohydrates break down into sugars.
Brushing is more important than you may think
When you're tired or in a hurry, you might decide it won't hurt to skip brushing your teeth, but brushing is one of the most important things you can do to avoid cavities. Plaque, a sticky, colorless, bacterial film, constantly coats your teeth. When you eat, plaque combines with the sugars in foods and beverages to produce acids that eat away at tooth enamel, causing cavities. Frequent brushing removes plaque and food particles, giving you an edge in the war against cavities.
Sealants aren't just for kids
Sealants are often recommended as a way to reduce cavities in children, but these protective coatings can prevent cavities in adults too. The surfaces of your molars contain nooks and crannies that make it hard to remove plaque completely. Sealants are thin, protective layers of plastic that coat the teeth but don't interfere with chewing. They're an excellent way to prevent cavities in your back teeth.
Acidic foods and beverages can increase your cavity risk
Sour candy, lemons and soft drinks contain acids that can attack your enamel. Decrease your cavity risk by avoiding acidic and sour foods and drinks.
Some people are more prone to developing cavities
Sometimes even the best oral hygiene routine isn't enough to prevent cavities. Some people have soft enamel, which makes them prone to tooth decay. Others suffer from dry mouth or decreased saliva flow. Saliva plays an important role in preventing tooth decay because it helps wash away food particles. If you suffer from dry mouth, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to compensate for your problem.
Regular dental cleanings and check ups can help you avoid cavities. Why not schedule an appointment today? Call Dr. Adel Mansour, your dentist in Hunters Creek at (407) 483-9990. Tooth decay doesn't have to ruin your smile!

The most important thing you can do for good oral health is brush and floss your teeth daily. But we’re not born knowing how to do either — they’re skills we must learn and practice to be effective in removing disease-causing bacterial plaque.
It helps then to have a good understanding about technique, implements or problem situations you may run into. So then, here are answers to 4 typical hygiene questions that can help you improve your brushing and flossing.
How often should I brush and floss? You should brush and floss at least once a day to prevent a buildup of plaque, the cause for both tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease; if you have some form of dental disease, we may advise a different frequency. Be sure to use a gentle technique — it doesn’t take much pressure to remove plaque and being too aggressive can harm your gums and tooth enamel.
When should I change my toothbrush? If you use it correctly (gentle vs. aggressive), your toothbrush should last several months. When you begin to notice the bristles becoming worn or splayed, it’s time to get a new, soft bristle brush.
What kind of toothpaste should I use? You may have a preference among the dozens available when it comes to flavor and texture. But from a hygiene standpoint you should choose one that contains fluoride to strengthen enamel and an anti-tartar agent to inhibit the formation of hardened plaque deposits (calculus). While we’re on the subject, don’t rinse out the toothpaste right after brushing — you may be washing away fluoride too early, which takes time to work in contact with tooth enamel. Just spit it out.
What if my teeth are sensitive when I brush? If you encounter problems when you brush, visit us to find out the cause. The most common cause for sensitivity is gum recession, usually due to gum disease, which has exposed the roots. This can cause discomfort when you encounter hot or cold foods, or pressure on the teeth when you brush. You should then receive treatment for the underlying condition; we may also recommend toothpaste that reduces tooth sensitivity. And, of course, be gentle when you brush.
If you would like more information on brushing, flossing and other aspects of oral hygiene, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Oral Hygiene Behavior.”

Periodontal (gum) disease is mainly caused by bacterial plaque built up on tooth surfaces due to ineffective oral hygiene. For most cases, treatment that includes plaque and calculus (tartar or calcified plaque) removal and renewed daily hygiene is highly effective in stopping the disease and restoring health to affected gum tissues.
However, you might have additional health factors that may make it more difficult to bring the disease under control. If your case is extreme, even the most in-depth treatment may only buy time before some or all of your teeth are eventually lost.
Genetics. Because of your genetic makeup, you could have a low resistance to gum disease and are more susceptible to it than other people. Additionally, if you have thin gum tissues, also an inherited trait, you could be more prone to receding gums as a result of gum disease.
Certain bacteria. Our mouths are home to millions of bacteria derived from hundreds of strains, of which only a few are responsible for gum disease. It’s possible your body’s immune system may find it difficult to control a particular disease-causing strain, regardless of your diligence in oral care.
Stress. Chronic stress, brought on by difficult life situations or experiences, can have a harmful effect on your body’s immune system and cause you to be more susceptible to gum disease. Studies have shown that as stress levels increase the breakdown of gum tissues (along with their detachment from teeth) may also increase.
Disease advancement. Gum disease can be an aggressive infection that can gain a foothold well before diagnosis. It’s possible, then, that by the time we begin intervention the disease has already caused a great deal of damage. While we may be able to repair much of it, it’s possible some teeth may not be salvageable.
While you can’t change genetic makeup or bacterial sensitivity, you can slow the disease progression and extend the life of your teeth with consistent daily hygiene, regular cleanings and checkups, and watching for bleeding, swollen gums and other signs of disease. Although these additional risk factors may make it difficult to save your teeth in the long-run, you may be able to gain enough time to prepare emotionally and financially for dental implants or a similar restoration.
If you would like more information on the treatment of gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal (Gum) Treatment & Expectations.”

We all know how much better we feel after a good night’s sleep: refreshed, energized and ready to handle — even excel at — our day-to-day responsibilities. Yet millions of people, young and old, are robbed of a good night’s rest by sleep-related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea, in which the soft tissues in the back of the throat block the airway during sleep. This temporarily disrupts airflow, causing numerous “micro-arousals” (sleep interruptions) that we may not even be aware of. A lack of sleep can make us drowsy, irritable and unfocused. In children, these typical symptoms of sleep apnea can lead to mistaken diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
The relationship between sleep apnea and behavioral problems has been highlighted in several recent scientific journal articles, including a major study published several years ago in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lead author, Dr. Karen Bonuck, said at the time: “We found that children with sleep-disordered breathing were from 40 to 100 percent more likely to develop neurobehavioral problems by age 7, compared with children without breathing problems. The biggest increase was in hyperactivity, but we saw significant increases across [other] behavioral measures.” Therefore, an accurate diagnosis of a child’s behavioral problems — leading to the right treatment — is crucial. While sleep apnea must be diagnosed by a physician, treatment for the condition is often provided by a dentist.
What can be done for children suffering from sleep apnea? The most common treatment is surgical removal of the tonsils or adenoids. This treatment can sometimes be performed by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a dentist who has received several years of post-graduate surgical training. There are several other procedures oral surgeons can perform to open the airway, depending on what anatomical structures are blocking it.
Sometimes a child with sleep apnea can benefit from a procedure to expand the palate (roof of the mouth) to enlarge the airway. This is not a surgical treatment but rather an orthodontic one. An orthodontist (a dentist who specializes in moving teeth) will fit the child with a palatal expander, a butterfly-shaped device that gradually separates the two bones that form the upper jaw and roof of the mouth. This is often done to prevent crowding of teeth and other bite problems, but has been shown in some cases to improve airflow.
There is another dental approach used to treat adults and older children, whose jaw growth is complete. It’s called oral appliance therapy, and it involves wearing a custom-made device during sleep that resembles a sports mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. An oral appliance can maintain an opened, unobstructed, upper airway during sleep in various ways, including: repositioning the lower jaw, tongue, soft palate and uvula; stabilizing the lower jaw and tongue; increasing the muscle tone of the tongue.
If your child has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, we can help you find the best treatment approach. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more by reading the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Sleep Disorders & Dentistry” and “Snoring & Sleep Apnea.”

While oral hygiene, a nutritious diet and regular dental visits are all crucial to long-term oral health, these efforts complement what your body already does to keep your mouth healthy. One of the major players in this function is saliva.
Produced by hundreds of glands located throughout the mouth, saliva does much more than help you swallow and wash away food. As you chew, an enzyme in saliva known as amylase breaks down starches in your food to make it easier to digest in the stomach. Saliva also contains antibodies, similar to what’s in tears, which can fight bacteria and other disease-causing organisms.
Perhaps its most important function, though, is its ability to protect and maintain healthy tooth enamel. The strongest substance in the body, enamel nevertheless has one primary enemy — the acid found in certain foods or as a byproduct of bacteria feeding on sugar and other carbohydrates.
When the ideally neutral pH level of the mouth becomes too acidic (nearly every time you eat), minerals in the enamel begin to soften and dissolve. The increased saliva flow when we eat floods the mouth with buffering agents that neutralize the acid and restore the mouth’s normal pH level. Not only does saliva stop demineralization, but it also restores a good bit of the enamel’s mineral content.
In recent years, a new role for saliva has begun to emerge as a means to diagnose disease. Like blood, urine and other bodily fluids, saliva contains molecules that serve as biological markers for disease. Given the right equipment, saliva has the potential to indicate early signs of cancer (including oral), diabetes and other systemic conditions. As the means to examine saliva for these markers increases it promises to be easier and less expensive to collect and sample than blood, while reducing the chances of transmitting bloodborne diseases to healthcare workers.
It’s a lot to consider with this fluid that you hardly notice, except when it isn’t there. Saliva is proof that our efforts at keeping our mouths healthy cooperate and depend on our bodies’ amazing systems.
If you would like more information on saliva and other ways your body maintains a healthy mouth, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Saliva.”