Family Dentistry | Fenton, MO | DeCo Dental

Mouth Breathing

Improper oral development/Snoring
- Problem:
- When a person is breathing through their mouth, their tongue muscle is postured low, and is not in the ideal position for proper upper jaw development. Without the pressure from the tongue muscle, the cheek and lip muscles pressures can cause the teeth to tip back and the upper arch to "cave in" causing a narrow upper arch. This can result in things such as a long face syndrome, crowded and rotated teeth, dental crossbites, and poor lower jaw development.
- Diagnosis/Recommendations:
- Interceptive Orthodontics at the recommended time.
Dry Mouth / Bad Breath (Halitosis)
- Problem:
- When the mouth is postured open, the saliva evaporates quickly causing dry mouth.
- One of the functions of saliva is cleansing of the oral cavity. With decreased saliva present, the mouth can become dry and stale producing a bad odor.
- Diagnosis/Recommendations:
- - Increased fluid intake to keep mouth moist
- - Biotene Gel to moisten the mouth
High Cavity Risk
- Problem:
- Due to loss of the salivary functions (cleaning, kill germs, and remineralization of tooth structures), your teeth are at a greater risk for cavities.
- Diagnosis/Recommendations:
- - 3 Month Fluoride Varnish Treatments to aid in cavity prevention.
- - Xylitol PH Boost Spray after every meal.
- - Xylitol Supplements 4-5 times/day [Gum/Mints (Theragum/Theramints)].
- - Increased fluid intake to keep mouth moist.
- - Biotene Gel to moisten the mouth.