Baton Rouge Dentist

Archives for June 2012

Does Graves Disease Cause Cavities?

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I’m 16 and I’ve never had a cavity and when I found out I had one I was shocked because I have excellent dental hygiene. I brush my teeth every day, floss, and use mouthwash. Recently I was diagnosed with Graves Disease and lately I have been getting more and more cavities and I’ve been going crazy about it because even my diet is healthy. Is there a connection between Graves Disease and tooth decay?

Thanks, Kelly

Dear Kelly,

As you are well aware Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease causing your immune system to attack your thyroid and causing it to become over active. Medications are used to keep your thyroid in check. Unfortunately there has been no correlation between Graves Disease and tooth decay yet the medications you may be taking to help your condition may be giving you a dry mouth. People with a dry mouth are much more prone to tooth decay. Your oral care at home is vital and it sounds like you are doing exactly what needs to be done. We also recommend that you drink plenty of water throughout the day to help remove plaque from your teeth. Try to limit your sugar intake as well as starchy foods and acidic drinks like soda and Gatorade. Biotene is a dental product that helps promote saliva. We recommend you buy the toothpaste and mouthwash and use it daily. If you are noticing a dry mouth discuss this with your dentist and see what other advice they have for you.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.

Is Wrigley’s EXTRA cool breeze sugar free gum good or bad for your teeth?

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I am wondering if sugar free gum is ok to chew?

Thanks, Pat

Dear Pat

Chewing gum does stimulate our salivary glands, therefore helps cleanse our teeth. However chewing gum on a constant basis it not good on our jaw joints and can lead to TMJ issues over time. Chewing any kind of sugarless gum is a much better choice than gum containing sugar which can lead to tooth decay. We would recommend finding gum that contains xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar however a non-fermentable sugar therefore it cannot be transformed to acid by the bacteria in your mouth which helps to prevent cavities. Besides preventing cavities, small amounts of xylitol during the day decreases plaque buildup and promotes your salivary glands therefore preventing a dry mouth. This helps to improve mineral absorption for repairing damaged tooth  enamel while increasing tooth strength. Most xylitol products like toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, and mints can be found at your local health food store.

Post courtesy of Dr. Perry, Baton Rouge Dentist.