Dry Mouth

Ever notice that when you get tired, your eyes get dry or your mouth gets dry?  Well, for most of us, this is our body shutting off the water for the night.  This has implications for your mouth and your overall health because your natural oral protector, your saliva, is reduced while you sleep.  If you haven't cleaned your teeth well before bed, then the bacteria still in your mouth can have a party all night long!  They build up tartar, which are essentially large colonies of attached bacteria to your teeth.  This situation can lead to gum disease and more cavities.
Another possible contributing factor to dry mouth during the day is that of dehydration.  Many of us don't drink enough water, which may cause a lowering of our immune defenses.  Even though it may mean more trips to the bathroom, we need to drink water in order to maintain our health, including our saliva.  Cheers!

The Grind

Grinding your teeth can cause things like sore muscles when you wake, damage to your teeth, or pain in your jaw joints.  Although some of us realize we grind or clench during the day, many times we are doing it at night while sleeping.  There may be solutions for you if you are having pain, and you would benefit from having your concern evaluated at your dentist's office.  Your dentist may prescribe the use of a nightguard.  This piece of plastic helps to prevent tooth damage and may help relieve joint discomfort.
One of the causes of so much grinding done by so many of us is the amount of stress we endure in our lives.  A simple home remedy for night clenching/grinding that may help relieve the stress is to perform our own de-stress routine before bed.  Whether it is reading, listening to music, or having quiet time to reflect, we need something daily to help remove ourselves from the mental stress we feel.  Another great stress reliever can be to do some stretching.  Any type of stretching or exercise routine needs to be okayed by your family doctor if you are starting something new, however, light exercise before bed may help you to sleep better and relieve stresses that can develop in our bodies.  At the very least, talk things over with your healthcare provider and get as much information as you can about how you are doing so that you can make wise decisions about your health.

Toothache or Sinus Congestion?

Because there is a sinus cavity right about some of our upper back teeth, our bodies can give us the impression that we have a toothache when there is nothing wrong with our teeth or gums.  If you are feeling pressure in your sinus cavities and you seem to have tooth pain that comes and goes that isn't very severe, you will want to check with your dentist to see if your teeth are the cause or if there is another explanation.  Remember, you are the owner of your mouth, and you make the ultimate decision.  So whatever you are told, try to get all the information you need to make a wise decision regarding your oral health.