Many of our patients ask us about excessive drooling. While everyone experiences drooling from time to time, usually during sleep, those patients who struggle with salivary over production may have difficulty speaking clearly, eating certain foods, or smiling with confidence. If you’re dealing with excessive drooling, read this post to learn more about the causes of drooling and treatments available. If you want to find out more, talk to your skilled dentist during a preventive dentistry appointment.
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What Causes Drooling?
July 25, 2018
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How Do I Stop Drooling in My Sleep?
June 16, 2018
In a previous post, we discussed some of the many causes of drooling or excessive saliva production. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the ways you can address these concerns. For many patients, these issues are first noticed by a dentist who is trained to recognize changes in oral health, including over and underproduction of saliva. During your general dentistry appointments twice a year, let your dentist know if you’re struggling with excessive drooling or dry mouth. In many cases, these issues need to be addressed by neurologists and other medical doctors, but a dentist will be able to give you more information about whether or not you should be seriously concerned about saliva overproduction.
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Why do I Drool in My Sleep?
May 16, 2018
Many patients ask us about drooling. For the majority of people, a few nights of mild drooling can occur from time to time due to sinus issues or allergies, but for others, excessive drooling seems to be a daily part of life. While general dentistry treatments may not always be the right solution to address these concerns, the dentist’s office is often a good place to start your search. We can complete an examination to help you determine the underlying cause of your drooling and partner with you to find the best treatments to meet your needs. Keep reading this post to learn more about the common causes of drooling.
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Find out How Oral and Overall Health Connect from Your Family Dentist Toledo
November 16, 2015
If the question, “How often do you floss?” is the part of your dental appointment you dread, it may be time to make some changes. Unlike brushing, flossing does not have the instant gratification of cleaner teeth and fresher breath, but the impact of flossing on your tooth and gum health can be amazing. Even more importantly, flossing reduces the risk for and the side effects of numerous chronic and systemic illnesses as well. A recent BBC series discussing oral health in the UK presented some startling evidence that has been interpreted as stating that flossing isn’t essential to oral hygiene. The truth is that the British Dental Association evidence actually said that only brushing has the years of research and longevity studies in the UK that proves necessity as part of regular hygiene routines. While the jury is still out on the effects of flossing in the UK, the American Dental Association studies reveal brushing alone isn’t enough to remove plaque between teeth. Flossing is essential to oral health, especially in prevention of gum disease, one of the most common oral health concerns, the leading cause of tooth loss in the US, and the reason for many of the whole body health concerns related to poor oral health. Find out more about how flossing may help you prevent dental and whole body health concerns below, or contact your Toledo dentistry team at Dental Group West.
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Your Family Dentist Toledo Offers Tips for Healthy Halloween
October 13, 2015
Your child is busy learning something new every day — and as you well know, their quest for understanding is filled with mistakes and more than a few bumps in the road. Their dental hygiene is no different — it takes years to learn how to properly brush, floss and care for teeth in general. And once they’ve mastered the techniques, adolescence presents its own obstacles to healthy teeth: an erratic diet, and priorities that usually don’t include proper brushing and flossing. Your family dentist in Toledo knows it’s a long journey developing good oral health habits that stick for life.
Maintaining a smile that’s protected against decay can be especially difficult at this time of the year, when children are surrounded by Halloween candy all month long. It’s important than ever to help your child keep up their oral hygiene habits right now, so read on for tips for a healthy Halloween — your child will thank you for it later.
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How to Handle a Dental Emergency, Toledo
August 6, 2015
When did you last schedule an emergency? While we can’t plan for our dental emergencies, we can prepare for them. The best way to prepare for an emergency is to know who to call. If you need emergency medical care, you’d probably call 911. If you need emergency dental care, call Dental Group West of Toledo, OH. Our dedicated team is here to help you no matter what your emergency. We can help you stay calm, and get the assistance you need to keep smiling. Next time you experience a dental emergency, don’t hesitate to contact our dental care team. We see emergency cases on the same day whenever possible, even if you are not a patient of record with our office. Find out more about our outstanding emergency dentistry treatment as well as our general, cosmetic and restorative dentistry services.
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When Was Your Last Oral Cancer Screening?
January 10, 2015
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 36,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and the disease will cause over 6,000 deaths. The single greatest factor affecting the oral cancer survival rate is the stage at which the cancer is discovered. Detecting the disease in its earlier stages can mean the difference between life and death. Each time you visit our office, we will examine you to look for signs of oral cancer, as part of your routine dental checkup. Skipping your semi-annual dental appointment means that you’re not getting the oral cancer screenings you need to protect your health. Don’t gamble with your good health. Make your oral cancer screening appointment with Dr. Thomas, Dr. Poole, or Dr. Weisenburger at Dental Group West today. Dental Group West proudly serves patients of all ages Toledo, OH, Bowling Green, Sylvania, Oregon, Perrysburg, and the surrounding communities.
What Causes Oral Cancer?
Oral cancer can develop in anyone at anytime, but men are twice as likely to develop the disease as women, and the risk for everyone increases with age. The exact triggering mechanisms that cause the changes in DNA that lead to oral cancer is still unknown. However, behavioral factors that heighten the risk for developing oral cancer include:
- Using any tobacco products
- Drinking alcohol
- Poor oral hygiene
- Poor nutrition
- Contracting the human papilloma virus (HPV)
- Excessive sun exposure
What are the symptoms of Oral Cancer?
The most common oral cancer symptoms include:
- red or white patches in or near the mouth
- a lump anywhere near your mouth or throat
- mouth ulcers that don’t heal
- persistent pain in the mouth
- changes in the tone of your voice
- swollen lymph nodes
- sudden unexplained weight loss
- bleeding or numbness in the mouth
- loosened teeth
- difficulty moving your jaw or chewing
- pain or difficulty when swallowing
Oral Cancer Screening Appointments in Toledo, OH
If you, or someone you love, are at a heightened risk for developing oral cancer, make an appointment with Dental Group West for an oral cancer screening today. The experienced dentists of Dental Group West are trusted general dentistry practitioners, now proudly serving families throughout Toledo, OH, Bowling Green, Sylvania, Oregon, Perrysburg, and nearby areas.
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What Can You Do About TMJ Disorder?
November 10, 2014
Have you been experiencing unexplained headaches, earaches or difficulty chewing? If yes, you may be suffering from a TMJ Disorder. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint on each side of your head that connects your jawbone to the rest of the skull. This important joint and its surrounding muscles enable you to open, close and rotate your jaw. Sometimes, this joint can deteriorate or malfunction due to excessive wear from teeth clenching/grinding, arthritis or injury. The restorative dentistry experts of Dental Group West can diagnose and provide treatment for TMJ disorder. Don’t allow your TMJ to get out of control. Make an appointment with Dr. Thomas, Dr. Poole or Dr. Weisenburger today. Dental Group West proudly serves patients throughout Toledo, OH, Bowling Green, Sylvania, Oregon, Perrysburg and the surrounding communities.
Signs of TMJ Disorder
- Pain– Pain in the joint area or surrounding muscles. Usually located just in front of the ear, radiating between the cheek, the ear and the temple.
- Limited Function– Jaw movement may be difficult. A tight or stuck feeling in the jaw. In more severe cases the jaw may get “locked”, making it hard to open or close the mouth.
- Unusual Noises– Clicking or popping noises coming from the jaw joint when chewing or moving the mouth.
- Ear Discomfort– Because the jaw joint sits just in front of the ear, some may experience ear symptoms such as noises in the ear, sensitivity to sound or dizziness.
TMJ Disorder Treatment in Toledo, OH
You may have found it difficult to find the right treatment for your TMJ disorder in the past. But you can find effective treatment to reduce stress on the joint and prevent further damage at Dental Group West. The experienced dentists of Dental Group West can provide immediate relief from TMJ symptoms. Make an appointment with their Toledo office today. Dr. Thomas, Dr. Poole and Dr. Weisenburger proudly serve patients throughout Toledo, OH, Bowling Green, Sylvania, Oregon, Perrysburg and nearby cities.
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Back to School Dental Checkups!
August 9, 2014
Now that school is around the corner, many people are getting prepared to start a new school year. Back to school shopping with tons of notebooks and pens may get you excited about school, but there is one thing you may not be preparing for. There is no doubt you are going to meet a lot of new people and reconnect with old friends when the school year beings again, and you want to make sure your smile is as healthy as possible. With regular dental checkups, you can be sure your smile is in tip-top shape just in time for the new school year.
When you come in for your dental checkup, one thing our doctors will do is evaluate the pocket depth of your gums, looking for any sort of decay, such as gum disease. Should we find signs of gum disease, we will be able to address the situation with nonsurgical procedures to get your smile back on track. We will also take x-rays of your teeth and jaw, making sure there are no underlying issues and that your bite is aligned.
We will also give your fluoride treatments during your dental checkup. Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens your enamel, making it harder for bacteria to break it down and cause decay. Fluoride also attracts other minerals, all contributing to a healthier smile! We also offer dental sealants, which are plastic coatings in the grooves of your teeth that prevent bacteria and other particles from falling into the crevices of your molars. If you are ready for your dental checkup and would like help from our doctors, contact our Toledo, OH office today, and we would love to help!
Contact our office in Toledo, Ohio today and schedule your appointment with one of our caring and experienced dentists. We are able to take care of whatever general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry need you may have! Our patient-centered practice warmly welcomes families from throughout Toledo and the surrounding communities, including Bowling Green, Sylvania, Oregon, Perrysburg, and more.
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