Despite being uncomfortable, dry mouth alone is not a severe issue as long as it is not persistent. If it is, it can lead to various long-term health issues, ranging from irritating to dangerous. Someone who suffers from chronic dry mouth will likely experience mouth sores, splits at the corners of the mouth, cracked lips, increased plaque buildup & a greater risk of tooth decay & gum disease. You might even start to have nutrition issues, because the lack of saliva makes it more difficult to break down food when you eat.

Even if your dry mouth does not seem to be persistent, it is important to stay on top of treating it. The good news is that treatment is simple for most cases of dry mouth. First, make sure you stay hydrated by sipping on water throughout the day. For your dental & overall health, you should drink lots of water anyway! Dehydration, which dry mouth can be a sign of, is a serious health risk.

Other simple things you can do to treat dry mouth include chewing sugarless gum & limiting the salt, sugar & caffeinated drinks in your diet. Some people might recommend sucking on an ice cube or sugarless hard candy, but this can actually damage your teeth, so dont do it! You can also purchase nonprescription saliva substitutes over the counter to reduce your current issues.

If you use tobacco or drink alcohol, cut back on those or find a way to quit. Even if you dont think smoking or drinking is the root cause, those activities can irritate a dry mouth, so you should limit or stop them entirely. Plus, theyre just bad for you!

The best treatment for dry mouth always depends on the specific cause, so if home remedies or over-the-counter solutions dont prevent your dry mouth, it can indicate a more serious underlying health issue. In serious cases it is best to visit a physician or dentist who can work with you to figure out the root cause of your dry mouth & help you treat it.

We pride ourselves on taking the time to listen & get to know each patient as an individual. The entire team at Cronin Dentistry looks forward to seeing you soon & developing a relationship with you to build the bridge toward long-term trust & successful dental care. See why our patients cant stop smiling!

Our exceptional, friendly staff is our greatest asset. All of our dental assistants & hygienists are licensed professionals who pride themselves on their current dental techniques & outstanding patient communication. With unmatched quality & integrity, they are dedicated to achieving the best possible results for you & your family.

Since your comfort & health are our top priorities, Cronin Dentistrys staff is glad to assist you in any way. If you have any questions at all, from treatment options & sterilization to insurance concerns & paperwork, were here for you! We can assure you that youll enjoy your dental visit!

Dr. C. Kelly Cronin is a graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Education in General Dentistry. Prior to Dental School, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Administration.

Dr. Cronin believes that everyone deserves a healthy and beautiful smile. He and his staff will help make the dentistry you need and the cosmetic procedures you want affordable by offering a variety of payment options.

Dr. Joe received a Bachelor of Science in biology from Utah Valley University & is a graduate of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. He continued his education by completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency in Bessemer, AL. During his residency he learned & performed advanced surgical techniques such as dentoalveolar surgery, bone grafting (including sinus grafting), implant dentistry & IV sedation. Dr. Joe is also a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry & the Mississippi Dental Association.

Dr. Joe is proud to be a part of Cronin Dentistry where he will be able to practice with his brother, Dr. Kelly Cronin, & his esteemed colleagues, Dr. Eric Johnson & Dr. Wes Shields. Dr. Joe, along with Dr. Cronin, Dr. Johnson & Dr. Shields, believes that patients should be active participants in their treatment plans to ensure personalized dentistry for all who come to Cronin Dentistry. More importantly, Dr. Joe wants patients to feel confident when they smile.

Outside of the office, he loves to travel, play sports & enjoy outdoor activities & movie nights with his wife & four children. Dr. Joe loves doing various service projects. He also works with youth at his church & coaches his sons baseball team.

Dr. Eric Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with a minor in Spanish from USM. He also completed a Master of Science degree in biology medical sciences at Mississippi College, followed by his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. He has undergone mastership training in biomimetic restorative dentistry, which focuses on providing minimally invasive, tooth-conserving dental care. Dr. Johnson is a member of the American Dental Association, Mississippi Dental Association & Academy of General Dentistry.

Dr. Wesley Shields received a bachelors degree in biology of medical science with a minor in biochemistry from Mississippi College. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry & is a member of the American Dental Association & Mississippi Dental Association.

In his free time, Dr. Shields enjoys comedy, hunting, fishing, camping & adventure. He is actively involved in mens leadership at his church & often volunteers with Helping Hands to provide dental care, often after natural disasters. He also loves to spend time with his wife, Tiffany, & daughter, Piper.

Madeline is from Sumrall, MS. She spent a year & a half living in Honduras as a missionary. Madeline loves to communicate & translate in Spanish while at work. She attends the University of Southern Mississippi as a Child & Family Sciences & Spanish major. She enjoys going on adventures with her husband, Chris, & spending time with her family & friends.

Aubrie is a recent graduate of Oak Grove High School. She has attended BYU Idaho & is currently studying to get certified in medical billing & coding at PRCC. She is part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society & is pursuing a career in music. Aubrie has a shorkie named Leia & loves to volunteer at local animal shelters.

Mary Beth comes to us with 37 years of medical billing & accounts payable experience & has enjoyed using her knowledge in the dental field in the past year. She also enjoys working with her sons, Dr. Cronin & Dr. Joe, along with all of the other doctors & staff. She has 5 children & 16 grandchildren & enjoys spending time with family.

Angela comes to Cronin Dentistry from her hometown of New Orleans & has 37 years of experience as a dental assistant. She attends St. Thomas Church & currently resides in Petal, MS with her family. She is a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan & loves to support her team every chance she gets!

Aracely Shelly has been working at Cronin Dentistry since 2008 as a dental assistant. She speaks fluent Spanish & enjoys being able to communicate with & translate for the staffs non-English speaking patients. She loves God & her family. She & her husband, Mario, have two children, Kevin & Kimberly.

Heather is a graduate of Petal High School & currently lives in Oak Grove. She received a bachelors degree in speech communications from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2001 & an associates degree in dental hygiene from Pearl River Community College in 2008. Heather has been a hygienist with Cronin Dentistry since 2013. She enjoys attending Venture Church with her husband, Jonathan, & their two sons, Jon Michael & Conor.

Alison attended Mississippi State University for three years before transferring to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene. She lives in Hattiesburg with her husband, Patrick, & daughter, Ellie, & is a member of Heritage United Methodist Church. In her free time, she loves to travel.

Deidre received an associates of applied science degree in dental hygiene from Meridian Community College in 2021. She is a member of the Mississippi Dental Hygienists Association & is the secretary for the Mississippi Oral Health Community Alliance. Deidre has also taken a course in CPR. She lives in Hattiesburg with her husband & their rescue dogs.

Haley received an associate of arts degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College & an associates degree in dental hygiene from Pearl River Community College. She is an OSHA team leader at the office & a member of the Mississippi Dental Hygienists Association & the American Dental Hygienists Association. Haley has completed courses in OSHA & infection control, oropharyngeal cancer screening, mitigating liability, ethics, the risks of vaping, diabetic amputees, periodontal disease, endodontic therapy & implant placement. In her free time, she enjoys road trips, CrossFit, leading worship at Venture Church & spending time with her Goldendoodle, Webber.

Baleigh received her associates degree in dental hygiene from Pearl River Community College & is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association & the Mississippi Dental Hygienists Association. She has completed courses in CPR & Basic Life Support, OSHA & infection control, mitigating liability, ethics, the risks of vaping, implant placement, periodontitis & systemic disease, endodontic therapy & oropharyngeal cancer screening. She enjoys working out, reading & spending time with her husband, Cody, & two dogs, Franklin & Murphy. Baleigh is an involved partner & volunteer at Venture Church.