Many patients with diabetes report dryness of the mouth. This is due to salivary gland dysfunction that can result from diabetes. Xerostomia (dry mouth) has important implications for oral health.

Saliva washes plaque off our teeth. It also contains certain antibodies against the bacteria that form plaque. With decreased salivary flow, plaque flourishes and continues to attack tooth enamel. This condition also makes diabetic patients more susceptible to gum disease due to higher plaque levels.

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of Americans. Resis¬tance to infection and slow healing is a problem for diabetics. This is an issue in keeping teeth and gums healthy. When diabetes is poorly con¬trolled, there are higher levels of sugar in the saliva. Plaque bacte¬ria thrive in this environment and can repeatedly attack the enamel. This results in a greater risk of cavities. People that have diabetes should practice excellent brushing and flossing and protect their teeth with a flouride supplement.

Daily flossing is the hardest part of oral hygiene for most patients. However, it is critically important in establishing and maintaining oral health. There is a product on the market that can make this task easier.

The Reach Access Daily Flosser is essentially a device for holding a pre-measured length of dental floss. The handle resembles a typical toothbrush handle. The end of the handle has a clip that holds a disposable piece of dental floss strung between two plastic arms. This product allows easier access to the tight areas between the teeth without having to stick your fingers far back into your mouth.

Many people think of the use of lasers as the epitome of high tech dentistry. Lasters are useful for certain procedures mostly involving soft tissue. Surgical incisions can be made with a laser. They can also be used to treat some diseases of the gum tissue. Some root canal procedures can be done with the assistance of a laser.

The main difference between overthe- counter and professional tooth whitening is in the strength of the bleaching solution. The professional strength solution provides a more noticeable change in tooth color and the whitening is more stable, or long lasting. Many solutions available through dental offices contain antisensitivity ingredients to reduce the most common side effects of tooth whitening. The whitening solution is applied to the teeth by using a custom fitted tray that is made from impressions of a patient's mouth. The tray is made from a very thin plastic material. This allows the solution to be safely applied to the enamel at the best concentration.