Jackson Family Dentist Offers Helpful Dental Tips For Seniors

    JACKSON, MI, June 13, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Older adults may have dental concerns that can't always be taken care of by simply brushing and flossing. Dr. Constance Smith, Jackson family dentist, provides her patients with helpful tips for dry mouth care for seniors, and urges her patients to visit her office to discuss concerns.

Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands do not make enough saliva. Patients with dry mouth syndrome may have difficulty swallowing, tasting, or even speaking. As a normal part of aging, dry mouth can result from medications for depression and high blood pressure, along with diabetes, Sjogren's disease, or Parkinson's disease.

"Without enough saliva to rinse away food particles form your teeth, you can develop tooth decay. Dry mouth can be improved by drinking plenty of water and reducing the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco," said Dr. Constance Smith, Jackson dentist.

If dry mouth is caused by a health-related situation that can be changed, Dr. Smith, family dentist in Jackson, may consider making a change. For instance, if dry mouth is caused by a medication Dr. Constance Smith can change the medication or adjust the dosage. However, if the underlying medical condition causing the dry mouth cannot be changed, treatment will focus on ways to increase saliva flow.

Dr. Constance Smith, dentist in Jackson, informs her patients that not only does saliva help digest food and make it possible to chew and swallow-it is the natural mouth cleanser. Without saliva, tooth decay and gum disease are more likely to occur. If a person has dry mouth, to combat tooth decay and gum disease, it is important to be extra careful about following good oral hygiene habits, which consist of brushing twice a day, flossing daily, using toothpaste containing fluoride, and visiting Dr. Smith for regular checkups and cleanings at least twice a year.

To minimize dry mouth, Dr. Smith, Jackson cosmetic dentist, recommends that her patients drink water frequently to keep their mouth moist and to loosen mucus. Patients can also suck on sugar-free hard candies, ice chips, or sugar-free popsicles as the sucking and chewing actions help stimulate saliva flow. In addition, Dr. Smith informs her patients to moisten foods with broths, soups, sauces, gravy, creams, and butter or margarine.

Patients should also avoid commercial mouth rinses or mouthwashes that contain alcohol or peroxide. These ingredients further dry out a person's mouth. Be sure to avoid salty foods, dry foods and foods or beverages with high sugar content, as well.

For more information on dry mouth and how to properly treat this condition, patients can visit Dr. Constance Smith, Jackson dentures dentist, by scheduling an appointment, or by visiting the practice's website at http://www.jacksonsmiledoctors.com.

About Constance Smith, DDS: Established in 1993, Dr. Constance Smith, cosmetic dentist in Jackson, is excited to welcome her son, Dr. Ian Liskiewicz, to join her in her practice. Together this mother-son dental team provides quality dental care for patients of all ages, including services such as teeth whitening, dental implants, veneers and dentures. Dr. Constance Smith received her dental degree from the University of Michigan, and has continued her dental education over the years by taking numerous advanced courses, including those at the Kois Center in Seattle Washington and at the Center for Esthetic Excellence in Chicago. Dr. Ian Liskiewicz grew up in the dental profession with his mother, Dr. Constance Smith, and his father, Dr. Walter Liskiewicz, an oral surgeon. Dr. Liskiewicz received his dental degree from the University of Michigan, in which he was invited to join Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honor society for dental students in the top ranks of their graduating class.

Media Contact:
Dr. Constance Smith
[email protected]
1931 Horton Road, Suite 14
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 787-7520
http://www.jacksonsmiledoctors.com

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