Elko Dental Care

2560 Mountain City Hwy #102, Elko, NV 89801
Closed today
Opens tomorrow at 8:00am
SundayClosed
Monday8:00am - 12:00pm
Tuesday8:00am - 12:00pm
Wednesday8:00am - 12:00pm
Thursday8:00am - 12:00pm
FridayClosed
SaturdayClosed

Dr. Craig Chamberlain has been keeping the smiles of Elko, Nevada beautiful and healthy since 2007. He has been in private practice for over 20 years. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University, he attended the University of Utah Medical and Creighton University School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Chamberlain stays on the cutting-edge of the latest advancements in dentistry by keeping memberships with such professional organizations as the Utah Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

He is active in his community as well and participates in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In addition to spending quality time with his family, Dr. Chamberlain enjoys reading, spending quality time with his family, long motorcycle rides, camping, and playing guitar and drums. He also has been hang gliding since 2000 and holds an advanced instructor rating.

Hi, I am Katie. I am the hygienist at the office. I received my degree in dental hygiene from Apollo College in Boise, Idaho in 2007. I've worked in dentistry for 9 years and have practiced hygiene at Elko Dental Care for the past 6 years.

Everybody gets a dry mouth from time to time. Temporary mouth dryness can be brought on by dehydration, stress, or simply the normal reduction in saliva flow at night. But persistent mouth dryness, a condition known as xerostomia, is cause for concern.

Xerostomia occurs when your salivary glands, which normally keep your mouth moist by secreting saliva, are not working properly. A chronic lack of saliva has significant health implications. For one thing, it can be difficult to eat with a dry mouth; tasting, chewing and swallowing may also be affected. This could compromise your nutrition. Also, a dry mouth creates ideal conditions for tooth decay. That's because saliva plays a very important role in keeping decay-causing oral bacteria in check and neutralizing the acids these bacteria produce; it is the acid in your mouth that erodes tooth enamel and starts the decay process. A dry mouth can also cause bad breath.

Elko Dental Care - General dentist in Elko, NV
  • Medications. For most people suffering from dry mouth, medications are to blame. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there are more than 500 medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) that have this side effect. Antihistamines (for allergies), diuretics (which drain excess fluid), and antidepressants, are high on the list of medications that cause xerostomia. Chemotherapy drugs can also have this effect.
  • Disease. Some systemic (general body) diseases can cause dry mouth. Sjgren's syndrome, for example, is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own moisture-producing glands in the eyes and mouth. Other diseases known to cause dry mouth include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cystic fibrosis and AIDS.
  • If you are taking any medication regularly, it's possible that your physician can either suggest a substitute or adjust the dosage to relieve your symptoms of dry mouth. If this is not possible or has already been tried, here are some other things you can do:

  • Sip fluids frequently. This is particularly helpful during meals. Make sure what you drink does not contain sugar and isn't acidic, as these will both increase your risk of tooth decay. All sodas, including diet varieties, should be avoided, as they are acidic and attack the tooth surface.
  • Chew sugarless gum. This will help stimulate saliva flow if your salivary glands are not damaged. Choose a variety that contains xylitol, a natural sugar substitute that can be protective against tooth decay.
  • Come in for an exam/cleaning. If you have dry mouth, it's more important than ever to maintain your regular schedule of visits to the dental office. Please be sure to let us know what medications you are taking, particularly if there have been any changes recently. We will do our best to help relieve any dry-mouth symptoms you are experiencing.
  • Dry Mouth Dry mouth, caused by insufficient saliva flow, is more than a minor annoyance to the millions who suffer from it. That's because saliva helps maintain oral health in a variety of ways. If your mouth is persistently dry, here's what you should know... Read Article

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