• Use ADA.org’s ADA Member Directory to search for dentists in your area.
• Ask family, friends, neighbors or co-workers for recommendations.
• Ask your family physician or local pharmacist.
• If you are moving, your current dentist may be able to make a recommendation.
• Call or write your local or state dental society.  In Sacramento, the Sacramento District Dental Society’s website www.sdds.org provides a comprehensive list of participating dentists.

Nowadays, more and more people are using the internet to find a dentist.  Not only can you search for a dentist, but you can also read testimonials from current or past patients. You can also look up these dentists’ individual web sites to find information about their specific services and procedures.

You may want to call or visit more than one dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient.  In my next blog I will list some guidelines to consider when determining if a dentist is right for you.

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave questions or comments below.  To learn more about my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
June 22, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/2626.aspx#chosedentist

Some problems associated with dry mouth include a constant sore throat, burning sensation, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate  and cleanse your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can occur.  Dryness can also irritate soft tissues in the mouth, making them inflamed and more susceptible to infection.  Patients using oral inhalers for asthma often develop oral candidiasis, a fungal infection, and are encouraged to rinse their mouths with water after using the inhaler.

Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. Sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses.
For more information on dry mouth, go to http://www.ada.org/sections/publicResources/pdfs/patient_19.pdf

Thank you for reading.  I encourage you to leave comments or questions below.  For more information on my practice, please visit www.elitesacramentodentist.com

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
May 4, 2010

Source:  http://www.ada.org/3014.aspx?currentTab=1

Most people brush in the morning and at night, and a smaller group will brush a third time, usually after lunch.  No time to brush after lunch?  Chew sugar-free gum instead.  Chewing increases saliva flow which helps to cleanse the teeth.  An increase in saliva also helps to buffer the acidity that occurs after eating, and it is the acidity that weakens the teeth and promotes formation of cavities.  In addition, the gum will help pull out food particles that may be stuck between teeth or in the crevices of the biting surfaces.

Sugar-free gum contains xylitol which is a sugar substitute.  Unlike sugar, Xylitol is non-fermentable and therefore cannot be converted to acids by oral bacteria.  Some brands that contain xylitol include:  Trident, Dentyne, Orbit, Eclipse, Extra

As with anything else, moderation is key.  Chewing gum all day can lead to other problems such as TMJ pain and jaw muscle fatigue.  Likewise people who already have TMJ problems should limit their use of gum, as their condition will worsen with the constant jaw movement of chewing gum.

Interestingly, I just read that xylitol can be toxic to dogs.  So keep your sugar-free gum out of reach of your dogs.  But I digress… for more info on that, please consult your veterinarian.

Your friendly dentist,
Dr. Sarah Po
www.elitesacramentodentist.com
January 21, 2010

Sources:
http://jada.ada.org/cgi/reprint/129/11/1623.pdf
http://xylitolhealth.com/oral_health.html