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Dear Cari, Caries, and other oral conditions, are very common among people with PD. The medications frequently cause dry mouth. Also, many PWP breathe through the mouth, drying the mouth and gums. Saliva helps create a hygienic environment for the teeth and gums, and when it is absent, it allows the growth of bacteria that can cause tooth decay. Your father should mention to the dentist that he has PD, and list the meds he uses as well; the dentist may want to do a fluoride treatment or advise a rinse or other treatment to help prevent gum or tooth disease. Best regards, Kathrynne Cari Barrett wrote: > > i've not yet utilized the method of "plugging in a search word" to get > previous info on any subject, so bear with me - > > my dad just called yesterday and told me that at his 6 month check up with > the dentist - they found 16 cavities - 6 months ago there were none - > > granted, my father loves sweets and eats them often at night (or when he > wakes up in the middle of the night) and doesn't always rinse his mouth out - > but this has been going on for a couple of years (the night treats, i mean) > AND he daily uses the highly recommended SONIC toothbrush - > > what would cause such a dramatic difference all of the sudden? > > thanks much - > cari > daughter of. . . -- Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD Medical nutrition therapy for Parkinson's disease Author: "Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease" "Parkinson's disease: assessing and managing unique nutrition needs;" "Risk for malnutrition and bone fracture in Parkinson'sdisease," J Nutr Elderly. V18:3;1999. http://www.nutritionucanlivewith.com/