With advancing years, health concerns seem to creep up on most people. Most medications including those for things like high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, etc. often cause a reduction in saliva production. Chemotherapy treatment for cancer also can reduce saliva. The result is that the mouth becomes very dry. Saliva (spit) is very important for a number of reasons; from... read more »

Whenever my patients complain of pain in their jaw, I ask them to point to where it hurts. More often than not, they point to one of their chewing muscles. Other patients complain of dull, aching toothache pain, but can’t tell me which tooth is hurting them, or if the pain is coming from the upper or lower jaw. With... read more »

It’s true in business and it’s true in denture retention. Implants locate dentures in the proper location over the ridges of bone left after tooth removal. They also keep the denture in place for efficient chewing of food and proper speech. Implants for dentures keep the denture from slipping or falling out of position or even the mouth. I could... read more »

People always want to know when their children should first see a dentist. The answer is at about 1 year of age. However before the child is born the fetus is developing an oral cavity that can be influenced for good through the nutritional health of the mother. The next thing is the proper nursing of the baby. A baby... read more »

Teeth are removed by dentists for various reasons. Depending on the condition and circumstances, not all teeth can or should be saved. I just returned from Guatemala with my Saint George Rotary Club. The club members were installing vented stoves to help prevent respiratory disease among women and children in the high mountain villages. I brought along my dental head... read more »

Does the following story sound familiar? “My jaw joint used to pop or click all the time. Then I heard a loud pop and from that day until now my jaw joint doesn’t make any sound, but I can’t open my mouth as wide. It’s been gradually improving but it’s been three years, and I still can’t stick more than... read more »

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve got teeth like my dad’s or mom’s side of the family?” Genetics play a big role in the size and shape of not only the teeth, but the upper and lower jaw. I would like to focus your attention on your family tendencies of jaw size. Seniors know the generation that has passed... read more »

Part 1 Dentures (false teeth) straddle the ridge of the jaw bone. A person’s upper denture also rests on the palate. Think of a saddle on the back of a horse. If you don’t cinch up the saddle with straps that go around the horse then the saddle won’t stay put as the horse moves and especially if someone is... read more »

Part 2 In my last article the importance of bone, suction and seal with regards to denture retention/fit were discussed. This time I promised to help you with the decision of when (if needed), to remove your compromised teeth and replace them with implants and dentures. When teeth are removed the bone around the necks of those removed teeth shrinks... read more »

Emotionally, a lot of heartache is caused by snoring. Married couples sleep in different rooms or even get divorced over the problem. Besides the unpleasant noise that keeps those in near proximity from sleeping, it can be a sign of severe medical problems. Young, or old, thin, or overweight, if you snore you have a good chance of having obstructive... read more »