Boost Your Smile Confidence

By Mark Kaelin

Imagine being unwilling to smile in a family photo or struggling to chew food. These are common occurrences if you’ve had teeth removed. Thanks to improvements in dental procedures, however, “we can now rebuild bone and replace teeth with implants, giving people back their smiles and their function,” says Dr. Bryan Harris, a specialist in restorative dentistry at the University of Louisville.

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription medications. Unfortunately, “it also increases the risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay,” says Dr. Bryan Harris, a specialist in restorative dentistry at the University of Louisville. Here are four things you can do to avoid complications:

• Schedule regular dental checkups, 
• Use high fluoride toothpaste,
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes
• If you chew gum, look for brands that contain the sugar substitute, xylitol, as it helps prevent tooth decay.