Archive for April, 2021

Most of the time, the inside of the mouth is moist. But what if that moisture is chronically absent? This condition, called xerostomia or dry mouth, happens when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. What little saliva is made becomes thick and the mouth feels sticky or dry. Chewing, swallowing or speaking may become […]

The COVID-19 pandemic and the stresses that have come with it have affected every aspect of our lives—including, it turns out, our dental health. To gain a better understanding of how COVID-19 has impacted dental practices, the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute has been conducting biweekly polls during the pandemic. The results of a […]

When you think of COVID-19 symptoms, what comes to mind? Probably a fever, dry cough and shortness of breath—perhaps loss of taste and smell. Yet an inability to enjoy the flavors of a savory bowl of pasta or your favorite dessert is not the only oral health problem people can experience with this virus. Below […]

To give you a little insight into our team and provide some lighter reading, we include Q&A profiles like this one in our e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy learning more about Richard W. Panek, DDS, dedicated oral surgeon, expert in dental implants and facial trauma, outdoor enthusiast and traveler. Why oral surgery? I enjoy being […]

Antibiotics can save lives. But if they’re prescribed when not medically necessary, they can do more harm than good. For example, antibiotics can cause dangerous adverse allergic reactions in some people. In addition, the more antibiotics are prescribed in the general population, the greater the chance that drug-resistant bacteria will develop. While no one argues […]