Multiple Sclerosis and Oral Health

Multiple sclerosis is a progressive, neurological, and degenerative disorder which affects the central nervous system.  It affects about 400,000 people in the US alone and  usually more women than men are affected and diagnosed between 20 years and 40 years of age.
There are several symptoms of MS that can interfere with adequate care of the teeth and gums. These are distinctive and typical for the illness: fatigue, spasticity, weakness, tremors, facial pain, numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the hands, all of which can challenge a person’s effort to brush and floss adequately. Patiens feel absorbed and preoccupied  in their effort to control the symtpoms  of MS and fail to  maintain good oral habits. Therefore the tendency of poor dental hygiene in patients diagnosed with MS is becoming more prominent.

The following tips can compensate for these problems:

• use toothbrushes with built-up handles(or cut a small slit in the sides of a tennis ball and slide it onto the handle of the toothbrush);
• use flossing tools; consider electric toothbrushes and flossing devices;
• sit to brush and floss, if standing at the basin is tiring; 
• floss in the morning if you are too tired at night; 
• allow a family member or personal assistant to help with tooth brushing and flossing;
• manage tremors by wearing a weighted glove while brushing.

Since some medications used to treat MS symptoms can cause dry mouth, it could be especially challenging  for affected patients to maintain proper dental health.
Here is how you can minimize the effects of dry mouth:

•  sip water or sugarless drinks often;
•  avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol;
•  use a small squirt of lemon in the mouth or sugarless lemon candies to stimulate the glands controlling saliva production;
•  use a humidifier at night;
•  use special products that are available in pharmacies to moisten dry mouth!

If you have any questions or concerns about this condition and the state of your dentition, please feel free to contact us at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com today.


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References: http://www.dimensionsofdentalhygiene.com

Dry Mouth: More Than Just a Nuisance

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song!

It should be easy to seal an envelope, but those who suffer from a condition called xerostomia, or "dry mouth," usually have to reach for some tape instead. It may not sound traumatic, but it's a bigger nuisance than you might realize. Dry mouth can not only hinder your enjoyment of food, but affect the health of your teeth.

Heavy plaque and food accumulations tend to occur with this condition, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Saliva is the body's self-cleansing mechanism. It helps remove food, debris, and plaque from the tooth surfaces, protecting you from oral diseases. It cleans your teeth and neutralizes acids, which prevents tooth decay. People who have dry mouth are very susceptible to cavities, especially on the roots of their teeth.

What Causes Dry Mouth?

There are a number of known causes of dry mouth. It can be part of the normal aging process, caused by medication or the result of cancer therapy, nerve damage or other health conditions. Smoking and chewing tobacco can contribute as well. Symptoms include: difficulty speaking or swallowing, a burning sensation on your tongue, an altered sense of taste, sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth, bad breath and increased plaque or tooth decay.

What Can I Do about It?

If you feel you're suffering from dry mouth, see a doctor for diagnosis. If a physician believes medication is to blame, he or she may adjust your dosage. You might also be prescribed something to stimulate saliva production. If the cause of the problem can't be resolved, there are a few things you can do to make life easier. Try to get your saliva flowing by sucking on sugar-free hard candy or chewing sugar-free gum. To protect your teeth, brush with a fluoride toothpaste. It's a good idea to schedule an appointment with our staff at 212-689-0024. You can also email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com  any time. A prescription toothpaste or brush-on fluoride gel may be in order.


Additional self-care includes:

• Sipping plenty of water throughout the day
• Over-the-counter saliva substitutes
• Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth
• Using a humidifier at night
• If you use tobacco, kick the habit

Best Regards,


Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia, Dr. Song


P.S. If you have any friends or family members who you feel could use our services, please don't hesitate to have them call us. We'll be sure to take good care of them.