Anne N. Guignon, RDH, MPH, CSP
Spit is it……and it matters
Saliva is a magical fluid that supports overall health and wellness. Many take this precious fluid for granted until it’s gone. Dry mouth syndrome is an increasing problem in all age groups, from children to seniors.
- Review the prevalence of dry mouth syndrome
- Discover the difference between xerostomia/feeling dry and hyposalivation/being dry
- Learn about the complexity of salivary production
- Appreciate the components of healthy saliva
- Understand the range of factors that lead to dry mouth
- Describe why modern lifestyles lead to dry mouth
Muddy flooding and sinkholes – the difference between caries and erosive tooth wear
All oral conditions that damage or destroy tooth hard structure simply can’t be classified as caries. Caries is only one culprit. Erosion also plays an increasing role in tooth destruction.
Both situations can be stopped if identified early enough. And in the case of caries, damage can be reversed if there is still sufficient structural integrity.
- Appreciate the caries process as a dysbiotic, pH mediated microbial infection
- Understand the chemical process of erosive tooth wear
- Discover the impact of extrinsic and intrinsic acids on tooth structure
