Dry mouth, also known by its medical name, xerostomia is a condition characterized by either a lack of saliva or a decrease in its flow. Since saliva plays an important role in aiding digestion and maintaining good dental health, the consequences of xerostomia can be significant.
Three pairs of major salivary glands along with hundreds of minor salivary glands inside your mouth produce approximately 2-4 pints of saliva every 24 hours. Composed of 99% water and 1% electrolytes, enzymes and proteins; saliva washes over the teeth and surrounding soft tissues to cleanse and protect them from germs, tooth decay, and gum disease. Saliva also plays a key role in keeping the mouth lubricated and comfortable, so that food can be moved through the mouth easily for purposes of chewing, tasting and swallowing.
A lack of saliva makes simple oral functions more difficult and causes germs to increase in your mouth. More germs lead to bad breath, dental decay, gum disease, and provide the groundwork for a host of oral infections.
Treatment of dry mouth depends on the underlying cause of the problem. If it develops as a side effect of a particular drug, the physician may be able to prescribe an alternative medication. In some cases dry mouth may respond to drugs that promote an increased salivary flow. If not, artificial saliva can be used to keep the mouth moist and lubricated. As added protection, the dentist may recommend a prescription strength fluoride gel to help prevent tooth decay from developing. Patients can help alleviate some of the effects of dry mouth, by drinking water more often and avoiding drinks with caffeine or alcohol. They can also help to stimulate the flow of saliva by chewing sugarless gum or sucking on a sugarless candy. With dry mouth, it is essential to see the dentist on a regular basis for care.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 251 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestUmid Ortiqov
a year ago
True Professionals!!!
Susana Mendez Rendon
a year ago
I'm very happy with my experience. Beautiful place & Lovely staff! Front desk was very welcoming, Dr A is amazing, she was so pacient and kind, I don't like dentist and I always get so nervous but she made my experience completely different and pain free, her assistant Catherine was really nice and helpful as well. I'm definitely going back for future treatments.
Emily English
a year ago
Friendly, helpful staff; beautiful facility. Both Dr. Khodak & Dr. Kuo are intentional with their work & take time to educate their patients. They clearly care about what they do. The front desk team looked into my insurance for me, helped me better understand my coverage, & walked me through exactly what I would be charged and why. I'm grateful to have found this practice.
luis guzman
2 years ago
If you are looking for the best dental practice, look no further. Smile Care Dental Group is very professional and extremely caring. They will give you the best advice and care needed for your beautiful smile. I am always completely satisfied with their work. Dr. Shafee is the BEST!!
Izabela Serowik
2 years ago
I have been going to Smile Care for years. There is no better dental group I know of. Even after I moved 40 min away, I still only go there. SCDG has figured out how to turn going to the dentist into, dare I say, an amazing experience. Top quality customer service, staff members that truly care, the latest and greatest equipment, and the most knowledgeable and experienced dental professionals. Not to mention, the office is the most beautiful I have seen... clean, modern, and stylish... it feels like walking into the future of dental offices. This is not your average dental visit, it's a dental *experience*
Tatyana Viktorova
2 years ago
I had the most amazing experience at Smile Care Dental Group. I felt safe and care from the moment when I walked in the door. The office was clean and immaculately kept. The front desk staff was exceptional. Everyone at the office is very helpful and friendly. Dr. Khodak does an amazing job! The wait wasn't long and all my questions were answered. Her consultation is very detailed, clear and understandable, that after her consultation, I can start the practice myself :):):) Great advice was given and I was able to gain a full view of my dental health and how to move forward to keep my smile beautiful. My family has tried everything from teeth whitening to tooth extraction :) :) So I can safely highly recommend Dr. Khodak and Dental Group to anyone who is looking for a friendly, safe and professional dental office. Me and my kids are looking forward to our next appointment.
Yasameen Khaddash
2 years ago
I'm so excited for our kids appointments tomorrow with Smile Care's Pediatric Specialist. I previously made the mistake of choosing a local pediatric dentist by our house to make things convenient for me, but after a year of dealing with their unprofessionalism and complete lack of care/attention for my children's dental work, I made the choice to switch over to Smile Care today. The receptionist could not have been more amazing on the phone. She was so friendly, thorough and really put me at ease. We have a few family members that are patients there and always rave about how incredible their office and staff is. I'm confident that we've made the right choice in switching with so many incredible dentists, specialists that will make our dental health a priority. We haven't stepped foot in the office yet and already know we're in good hands!
Elizabeth Herting
2 years ago
Excellent atmosphere Excellent dentist very happy to a explend wat you want to now I am very happy... they all are very excellent Doctor's. I recommend...
Henry Alvarez
2 years ago
Great customer service. Everyone was very friendly. The place is kept super clean. The doctor cleaning my teeth was very gentle and patient. I definitely recommend for anyone to switch to smile care dental. Staff are amazing!
Jose Jimenez
2 years ago
Highly please with the level of skill from Dr. Shafee as well as the professionalism in service received from his entire team.
Siana
2 years ago
It was a very clean office with very nice people... the receptionist was kind and helpful, answering some questions I had about the forms I had to fill out... Marcella did my X-rays for me and I had some pain in my gums that she was mindful of and patient with me about it... the doctor was calm and helpful, keeping me relaxed even though the idea of going to the dentist stresses me out... and the music was relaxing too... who doesn't love John Legend and Michael Buble to calm the nerves? I had a very nice experience here and recommend them for sure!! Thank you for your help today!!
asma baker
2 years ago
Super friendly staff! Extremely clean office! Stress and anxiety-free dentist office. Suzy, Dr.Shafee, and everyone there are all amazing professionals. Always do a very thorough job. They always have your best interest at heart and genuinely care to make you happy. You are treated as family there not as a number. Can't say enough!
Patricia Walte
2 years ago
This place is fantastic, very professional, they are very kind people. They explain every detail apart. It's a very nice place and very clean, they are very careful with everything. I live far away but I do not change them for any other dental group. I recommend them wholeheartedly!
Erum Waheed
2 years ago
By far the best experience I've ever had at a dentists office!! Beautifully renovated state of the art office, lovely staff (they made me feel so comfortable), very warm environment, and best of all it's a one stop shop. I just found my forever dentist office and I couldn't be happier! Thank you for an amazing experience and I'm actually excited to come back for more work!
lillian afonso
2 years ago
Thank you to Dr Khodak, Dr Moon and staff, they all worked together to give me the best smile ever. It was a wonderful experience. Highly recommended.
Suzy Darwish
2 years ago
The absolute best at it all! All your dental needs under one roof! They are the most loving caring group of professionals! My first meeting with Dr. Shafee and his beautiful wife Suzy, he explained the treatment plan I needed which we are currently executing he promised there will be minimal discomfort as well as pain. I never in my life thought I'd be saying this, I actually don't mind going to my dental visits. Dr. Shafee is truly one of a kind throughout my visits if there is one thing I am taking with me Is that you must love what you do thanks to Dr. Shafee and his staff I now know the importance of loving what you do!
Will Bishop
2 years ago
My wife and I (and now our one year old son) have been coming to Smile Care for years now and they are an absolute gem! Anyone who is looking for a quality dentist experience in the area need look no further. They treat everyone with such kindness and make you really feel like a part of their family. From ownership down to every member of the staff, every single person I've ever encountered there has always made going to the dentist and enjoyable experience. Most people dread their dental visits and we actually look forward to them! My wife and I always talk about how grateful we are that we found them. These are really good people and we very much appreciate them, their hard work, and commitment to ensuring each patient is treated with compassion and generosity. They recently moved from Clifton to Paramus and I wouldn't have cared if it was Connecticut, I'll be a patient here for life! My 1 year old had his first visit to the new office in Paramus, they even have a playroom for children while they wait which is an incredible idea. He loved it and probably would've spent all day playing with their toys. Excellent work team!
Kanto Elezaj
2 years ago
From the minute me and my wife I walked to the smile care doctors office everybody was so friendly and so tremendous The dentist and that helpers or so tremendous great service I will recommend it to everyone I want prior time to different doctors offices smile care service is hundred percent better they went through from point A to Z The explaining of the work required so correct and they make you feel like home
Mo Mo
2 years ago
Absolutely the best dental office I've ever been to in my entire life without exaggeration. The first time I came here was about 5 years ago. I was in excruciating pain and they helped me without question. I've been coming here ever since then and it's always been top notch care. Thank you to everyone at smile care! I love the new office by the way fantastic job!
Stefan Robinson
2 years ago
Kind and friendly staff!
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