A dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva to keep it moist. This condition can be more than just an uncomfortable nuisance; it can have significant effects on your oral health.

Without adequate saliva, your mouth is more susceptible to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.

Understanding the Causes

Several factors can lead to dry mouth, including certain medications, medical conditions like diabetes, and lifestyle habits. Understanding the root cause of your dry mouth is the first step in finding an effective solution. If you suspect that a medication is causing your dry mouth, consult your doctor for alternative options or adjustments to your dosage.

Stay Hydrated

One of the simplest ways to combat dry mouth is to stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your mouth moist and aids in saliva production. Avoid beverages that can worsen dryness, such as coffee, alcohol, and sugary drinks. Instead, opt for water or herbal teas to soothe your mouth.

Use Sugar-Free Gum or Lozenges

Chewing sugar-free lozenges or gum can increase salivation. Seek products that have xylitol, a natural sweetener that may have additional benefits for preventing dental decay. These can be beneficial when your mouth is trying to digest food and balance acidity after a meal.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene

Good oral hygiene practices can prevent the complications associated with dry mouth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and floss daily to remove food particles. Consider using an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid further drying out your mouth.

Regular dental check-ups are important for monitoring the health of your teeth. They can also help your gums and catch any issues early on.

Book Your Regular Dental Check Up in Mount Pleasant, MI

Preventing dry mouth is key to maintaining your oral health and avoiding complications like cavities and gum disease. By staying hydrated, using sugar-free products, and maintaining good oral hygiene, you can keep your mouth healthy and avoid frustrating bouts with dryness.

If you’re struggling with dry mouth despite your best efforts to avoid it, we can help. Don’t hesitate to call us at 989-773-3560 and schedule a consultation with Kenneth Egger, DDS.

No one wants to end up with tooth decay or cavities. But brushing and flossing might not be enough to prevent this common dental problem. Fluoride can help make teeth stronger and healthier.

Why is this mineral so good at lowering the risk of cavities? Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, helps teeth in a few different ways. That’s why fluoride treatments are typically part of dental care. Let’s explore the benefits of this mineral in more detail.

Benefits of Fluoride

Strengthens Tooth Enamel

The protective layer on your teeth, known as enamel, loses minerals regularly due to acids. This demineralization can lead to cavities. Fluoride helps boost the minerals in enamel, making this layer stronger.

Slows Down Mineral Loss

Just as fluoride helps remineralize tooth enamel, it also makes it harder for acids to take minerals away. This slows the demineralization process down. When tooth enamel is able to maintain minerals, this reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Reverses Early Tooth Decay

When caught early, tooth decay can be stopped before it harms your teeth. Fluoride treatment can even reverse this decay in the early stages.

Prevents Growth of Bacteria

Cavities form due to bacteria in your mouth. Exposure to fluoride helps keep this harmful bacteria at bay, lowering the risk of plaque buildup.

How Is Fluoride Used?

Fluoride treatments are often done during dental cleanings. Different forms are available, including:

• Foam
• Gel
• Varnish

When Should You Get Fluoride Treatment?

This depends on your age and other factors. Kids between 6 months and 16 years of age should get the right amount of fluoride exposure to keep baby and permanent teeth healthy.

Furthermore, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends having a professional fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months depending on your oral health needs.

Fluoride Treatment at Kenneth Egger, DS

Time for a dental cleaning for you or your kids? Dr. Kenneth Egger, DDS, offers routine exams and cleanings that include fluoride treatment. Call our office in Mt. Pleasant, MI, at 989-773-3560, or complete our online form to schedule an appointment.

One in four adults has at least one cavity, and this common dental health condition is among the most prevalent worldwide. While they may be frequent, cavities are also preventable. Regular cleanings and the right at-home care can lower your risk of tooth decay throughout your life.

What Are Cavities?

Cavities are known as caries in the dental world. They are caused by tooth decay, which occurs when bacteria break down the enamel (tooth’s surface) and enter the more sensitive layer called dentin.

As the enamel wears down, it opens in the surface, allowing bacteria to reach further into your tooth. Over time, the decay can become so severe that it infects the root of the tooth and surrounding gum tissue.

How To Prevent Cavities

Cavity prevention is key to avoiding treatments like root canals and extractions, and these are our top tips for keeping your smile healthy.

Brush Twice a Day

Always brush your teeth in the morning and at night. If you can brush after every meal, even better! Remember to brush for at least two minutes each time to remove as much bacteria as possible.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Carb-heavy diets, as well as ones rich in sugar, increase your risk of tooth decay. Be mindful of how much bread you eat, and when you consume sugar-rich foods or drinks, brush as soon as possible afterward.

Floss Daily

Flossing is important because it removes bacteria and food particles that your toothbrush can’t reach. By cleaning between the teeth and gumline, flossing promotes strong oral health.

See Your Dentist at Least Twice a Year

Bi-annual dental check-ups and cleanings are the best way to stay on top of your oral health. These check-ups can identify early warning signs of cavities and offer quick interventions that prevent more extensive decay.

Book Your Visit With Dr. Kenneth Egger, DDS

Dr. Egger is an experienced Mount Pleasant, Michigan, dentist with over 20 years of experience in his field. He is passionate about helping his patients achieve their happiest, healthiest smiles through general and cosmetic dentistry services.

If you would like to arrange an appointment, please submit a contact form or call our office at 989-773-3560.

Dr. Kenneth Egger of Mount Pleasant, MI, regularly works with patients to help them determine the signs of each to shed some light on what can be a somewhat confusing topic for many people. If you’re unsure whether your issue is due to an infection or inflammation, you will want to read on and learn more about the differences between sinus pressure and a toothache.

Understanding Sinus Infections Versus Toothaches

A sinus infection occurs due to an overgrowth of bacteria in your sinuses, usually brought on by either a cold or allergic reaction. In contrast, an inflamed or infected toothache happens when there is bacteria or irritation in one or more of your teeth.

Are You Suffering From Sinus Pressure or Soreness?

Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

• Sinus pressure. A feeling like your sinuses are full or congested, with a lot of pressure in your forehead and around the sides of your nose. Difficulty breathing through your nose may be another indicator of this issue. If you’re sneezing or have a runny nose as well, these could also indicate an infection.
• Pain/sensitivity in the tooth. Sharp pain is often associated with inflamed teeth, while sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks might point toward an infected tooth. You may also experience pain when biting down on that tooth, which is something to look out for if you think you have an inflamed toothache.

What Can You Do if You Have either of These Issues?

Always make sure to get the advice of a healthcare professional, as they will be able to provide you with the right kind of treatment or medication. But in general, some things can help relieve symptoms, such as using a humidifier to moisten your sinuses and gargling with warm salt water. Over-the-counter painkillers might also help reduce soreness or pain associated with toothaches.

If You Suspect an Infection or Inflammation Is Causing Some Problems for You, Don’t Suffer in Silence!

Seek assistance from your dentist today! Not only will this allow them to prescribe the appropriate treatment for what may be wrong, but it could save a tooth. Call Dr. Kenneth Egger and his team at 989-773-3560 to request an evaluation to get a definitive diagnosis.

When you clean your bathroom, you may notice that the more “elbow grease” you put into cleaning, the cleaner the surfaces get. However, this isn’t true with everything. Dr. Kenneth Egger is a dentist at Kenneth Egger Family Dentistry in Mount Pleasant, MI, who takes time to educate patients on what to do–and what not to do–when it comes to cleaning the teeth and gums. This encompasses aggressive brushing that many patients believe will allow them to clean more effectively.

Does brushing your teeth harder lead to better oral health?

While many individuals believe that brushing more aggressively will effectively remove plaque and tartar, it can actually do more harm than good! When you brush too hard, you can damage your gums and tooth enamel.

If you’re looking to improve your oral health, it’s important to brush gently and thoroughly. Be sure to reach all surfaces of your teeth, including the back molars. You should also visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups, and if you have any questions about caring for your smile, he can assist! Dr. Kenneth Egger is always here to help Mount Pleasant, MI area patients find ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy with brushing, flossing, and routine appointments at the office.

What should I look for in a toothbrush?

In addition to learning how to use a toothbrush properly to reduce enamel loss and gum recession, Dr. Kenneth Egger can also talk to you about your options when shopping for a toothbrush, whether you are considering an electric option or a manual one. Additionally, he can tell you when it’s time to change the toothbrush or toothbrush head, primarily if fraying occurs to the toothbrush bristles. This is an indication that you need to get a new one, which should be done at least every three months in general.

How do I learn more about caring for my smile?

To ensure a healthy, beautiful smile for life, you need to pay close attention to your oral hygiene every day! Dr. Kenneth Egger and his team provide family dentistry services to help patients of all ages understand the importance of proper hygiene habits. Call 989-773-3560 to request an appointment at our office and discuss ways to achieve and maintain a healthy smile!

Many of our patients at our little practice in Mount Pleasant have sensitive teeth. When they’re sipping the Daily Brew from Tim Hortons or biting into a cone at Doozie’s, the first bite or sip may be handled with care, as it can create discomfort when the hot or cold food or drink comes in contact with the teeth.

They have what would be classified as “sensitive teeth.”

What Is Tooth Sensitivity?

There can be many causes behind tooth sensitivity, but they all involve enamel to some degree. In healthy teeth, enamel is the outer covering on the entire exposed portion of the tooth (the crown) above the gum line. Below the gumline, the tooth roots are not covered by enamel but by a layer called cementum. Throughout the entire tooth, the layer beneath the enamel/cementum is called the dentin.

Dentin isn’t meant to protect the teeth. It is less dense and there are small hollow canals throughout the dentin. The enamel has the job of keeping bacteria (and even hot or cold temperatures) from getting to the dentin. When the enamel or cementum thins or otherwise is compromised, the canals in the dentin allow heat and cold, or acidic foods, to come in contact with the nerves in the inner tooth. That’s where the unpleasant sensations come from.

Causes behind Your Sensitive Teeth

Tooth sensitivity can be traced to these causes in most patients:

• Tooth decay
• Fractured teeth
• Worn fillings
• Gum disease
• Worn tooth enamel
• Exposed tooth root

The common issue in those causes is lack of enamel. If decay breaks down the enamel…if a fractured tooth exposes the enamel…if enamel has thinned with age or prior dietary issues…these reasons all allow temperature sensations to reach the dentin and the nerves within.

What to Do?

Dr. Egger can recommend desensitizing toothpaste, or we can use a fluoride gel in office to strengthen your enamel. You may need a crown or an inlay or bonding to protect an exposed area. A gum graft could be needed to cover receding gums. Or if decay has invaded the tooth interior, a root canal is the only way to stop the pain.

Is it time for your next exam? Call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 to schedule your appointment.

During your twice-yearly exams with us at Dr. Egger’s, we want you to leave our Bellows Street offices with sparkling teeth. But we have goals beyond that. Sure, removing tartar and plaque and polishing your teeth are important. But even more important is our examination for the signs of oral cancer. That’s why Dr. Egger will pull on your tongue, push on your glands under your jawline, and perform other brief diagnostic exercises. He’s not just messin’ with you; there are various symptoms of oral cancer, and our visual examination is critical to early detection.

What is oral cancer?

Oral cancer is described as cancer that begins in the oral cavity. This can include the lips, the inside lining of the lips and cheeks, the teeth, gums, most of the tongue, the bottom of the mouth, and the hard palate. If you don’t smoke you may think oral cancer isn’t a possibility, but it can still develop. At our Mt. Pleasant offices, we’re seeing more and more oral cancer because of the human papilloma virus (HPV).

What are the symptoms of oral cancer?

When you’re at home, we recommend that you be on the lookout for any signs of oral cancer. These are some of the most common signs or symptoms:

• Persistent mouth pain, in contrast to tooth pain
• A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heel is the most common symptom of oral cancer
• A sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
• A lump or thickening in the cheek
• A white or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsils, or lining of the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing or chewing
• Difficulty moving the jaw or tongue
• Numbness of the tongue or other areas inside the mouth
• Jaw swelling
• Loosening teeth
• Jaw pain
• Persistent bad breath

When you’re in for your exam and cleaning, if we find any suspicious lesions (lumps, bumps, or sores) during your exam, in most cases, we will opt to remove the growth and send it off to the lab for evaluation. Most of these growths prove to be benign, but if they are cancerous the key to treatment success is catching them early. That’s one of the reasons we ask our patients to be diligent about keeping their twice-yearly exams with us.

Has the time lapsed for your twice-yearly cleaning and exam with Dr. Egger and our team? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to schedule your appointment.

A Michigan winter can be tough on the sinuses. The combination of lots of germs hanging around with outdoor cold and indoor dry heat can lead to sinus infections. But it’s not right that your inflamed sinuses also lead to bad breath. That’s a double whammy!

It’s true. A sinus infection and its corresponding drainage in the back of your throat will invariably cause bad breath.

Since we dealt with teenage halitosis in this month’s first blog, let’s get into more of the stench in the second, along with (more importantly for those around you) what you can do about it.

What are sinus infections?

Sinus infections occur when fluid builds up in your sinuses. Germs grow. Colds, allergies, smoking, a weak immune system, and structural problems in the sinuses can all cause sinus infections. Symptoms include a runny/stuffy nose, facial pain or pressure, headaches, postnasal drip, sore throat, cough, and bad breath.

How do sinus infections make rancid breath?

Mucus is the enemy here. The mucus dwelling in infected sinuses smells bad. Infected mucus drips out of the sinuses and down the back of the throat. There it meets the air you exhale, and the odor from the infection transfers to your breath.

How do you treat a sinus infection?

Acute sinus infections last less than four weeks, and most of them clear up on their own as your body’s immune system beats up on the invaders. Chronic sinusitis can be an ongoing thing for those unfortunate few. Antihistamine tablets, nose sprays, acetaminophen, and throat lozenges can all help get you through it. Don’t use nasal decongestants for longer than five days, though. A neti pot is good, as is a humidifier. If your sinus infection symptoms last for more than 10 days, it’s time to get to a doctor. He or she may prescribe antibiotics to kill the stubborn bacteria.

What can you do to lessen your bad breath during a sinus infection?

Good oral hygiene is your best defense. Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, and floss once daily. Be sure to brush the roof of your mouth and your tongue. Mouthwash is a good idea too.

No one’s going to want to be around you when you’re sick anyway, which is just as well, as your breath will clear up when your sinus infection does.

Now that we’ve covered bad breath for the New Year, there’s no reason anyone should come up to you and say, “Uh, you could use a mint, know what I mean Vern?”

If it’s time to book your regular exam and cleaning with Dr. Egger and our team. Give us a call at (989) 773-3560.

It can be tempting to discount the role of professional cleanings and exams in the daily life of your teeth. After all, how much better a job can we do at Dr. Egger’s than you already do at home, right? So, what’s the big deal missing your regular appointments for a couple years? 

Hmm. That’s the road to gum disease that you just turned down. 

And no, that’s not a scare tactic, that’s reality. Here’s what we do during our twice-yearly cleanings and exams with Dr. Egger and our team, along with why they are so important to maintaining a relatively carefree dental life. 

What’s the point? 

Professional cleanings have a couple components that we’ll get to in a bit. But first, the frequency — why twice a year? That is about the time it takes plaque to turn into tartar to a degree that it needs to be removed. And only professional dental hygienists and dentists can remove tartar. 

Here’s the process. Plaque is the sticky film that builds up on your teeth during the day. It has plenty of bacteria in it. But plaque is no match for your toothbrush and dental floss. Brushing twice daily and flossing once is usually all it takes to get rid of the day’s plaque and keep your teeth and gums happy. 

But if you neglect your brushing and flossing, or do just a cursory job, that plaque stays on your teeth. If left to its own devices, it works its way down under the gums and begins irritating them. This is called gingivitis. Plus, plaque eventually calcifies and becomes tartar. Tartar can only be chipped away with dental picks at a dentist’s office. If you leave the tartar there, it also heads under your gumline. Now you’re in big trouble as you have the beginnings of gum disease. Your gums pull away from the tartar and form pockets that harbor lots of bacteria. Those bacteria attack the tooth roots and the gums. You can see where this is heading — decay, infection, and tooth loss. 

Or you could keep your twice-yearly appointments 

At your regular appointments at Dr. Egger’s we first perform a dental exam. This is what we check: 

•     Diagnostic dental X-rays. X-rays are crucial in detecting decay, possible tumors, cysts, and bone loss in the patient. X-rays also show Dr. Egger the position of each tooth and its root.
•     Oral cancer screening. Dr. Egger will check your gums, tissues, throat, tongue, lips, face, and neck for any signs of oral cancer.
•     Evaluation of gum disease. He checks the gums as well as the bone surrounding the teeth for signs of periodontal disease.
•     Examination of dental decay. Every tooth surface will be examined for decay.
•     Examination of existing dental restorations. Your existing dental restorations — fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, etc. — will be checked for stability and wear.

Now, for the cleaning, called dental prophylaxis just to be fancy! This is what your hygienist will do:

•   Calculus (tartar) removal. Plaque that has hardened into tartar is the first priority. It is commonly found above and below the gumline and can’t be removed by tooth brushing alone. Special dental instruments are needed to completely remove tartar, breaking the bond it has formed on the tooth surface.
•   Plaque removal. With the tartar banished to the vacuum tube, it’s time to de-plaque your teeth. Plaque is a nearly invisible, sticky substance that forms on the teeth.
•   Teeth polishing. This final step polishes the teeth, while removing any last plaque remnants. We use an extra gritty polishing compound that scrubs away stains on your enamel and makes your teeth pearly white.

See? That’s a lot of stuff. And it’s all necessary to keep your teeth happy and smiling away. Is it time to make your twice-yearly appointment with Dr. Egger and our team? Call us at (989) 773-3560, and please remember our office is closed on Fridays in the summer months.

Electric toothbrushes used to be mainly a sideshow. They came with cartoon figures in the handle to make them interesting for kids, but their brush heads basically only vibrated. Vibrating brush heads didn’t really do much to brush the plaque and food from your teeth unless you basically used them just as you would a manual toothbrush. The consensus was, “What’s the point?” 

That all changed when Oral-B introduced electric/powered toothbrushes with rotating and oscillating brush heads. To prove the worth of their new tools for great dental hygiene Oral-B went out and gave various dental practices free Oral-B powered toothbrushes (16,000 in all) to give to their patients. All they asked was for the hygienists and dentists to report back to them how the teeth of their patients were before (when still using their manual toothbrush) and after using the Oral-B Electric Toothbrushes for six months. 

Although not completely scientific, the results were striking. When asked about the changes, the dental professionals said the electric toothbrush had a positive effect on the oral health of over 80 percent of their patients. 

It seemed the American Dental Association was paying attention — shortly thereafter it gave five Oral-B Powered Toothbrushes its vaunted Seal of Acceptance. The ADA approved the Oral-B Pro CrossAction 1000 and 1500; the Oral-B Professional Care 2000; the Oral-B Pro 3D White 3000; the Oral-B Pro SmartSeries 5000, 6000, and 7000; and the Oral-B Pro Genius 8000. 

We talked about the Oral-B approvals in Dr. Egger’s blog a while back. 

Since that blog, the category of powered toothbrushes has exploded. The ADA expanded their Seal of Acceptance list as they tested these new offerings. Here is the ADA Accepted list in addition to the Oral-B models mentioned above: 

These are the others: 

•     AquaSonic Black Series, Duo Pro Series, Vibe Series
•     Arm & Hammer Spinbrush Pro Series Battery Powered Toothbrush
•     Brightline Sonic Rechargeable Toothbrush
•     Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrushes: P11-Plus, 507, 508, T9, E11, and P80
•     Oral-B (as described above) plus the iO Series and the Oscillating-Rotating-Pulsating Electric Rechargeable Toothbrushes
•     Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 4100 and 4700
•     PRO-SYS VarioSonic Powerbrush
•     quip Electric Toothbrush, quip Kids Electric Toothbrush
•     Shyn Sonic Toothbrush
•     CVS Health EasyFlex Pro Premium Rechargeable Toothbrush, CVS Health Infinity Rechargeable Toothbrush, CVS Health SmileSonic Max Power Pro Toothbrush, CVS Health SmileSonic Pro Advanced Clean Sonic Toothbrush

There you have it. Now you have lots of choices when it comes to these new tools for maintaining a new level of home hygiene. What do you have to lose but plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay? 

At Dr. Egger’s, we’re big fans of these great toothbrushes. If you have any questions about these new powered toothbrushes, please ask us next time you’re in for your six-month exam and cleaning. Is it time to make your next appointment? Call us at (989) 773-3560 to make your appointment.