Many people suffer from chronic dry mouth. Dentists call this xerostomia. If you are one of those that can’t seem to keep your mouth moist, you know that it is quite a nuisance, but you should know that the problems with dry mouth go far beyond an annoying issue. Xerostomia could be damaging your teeth and gums.
Saliva protects your teeth in many ways. It is a naturally cleansing liquid that helps flush food and debris from between your teeth. It contains minerals, including calcium and fluoride, that help rebuild enamel. It is a natural buffer that helps maintain a healthy pH in your mouth and it contains enzymes that help keep bacteria at bay and start the digestion process. Pretty cool, right? But without proper salivary flow, you may be eliminating these benefits and increasing your cavity risk.
There are a few front-line ways to combat dry mouth:
- Stay hydrated: Always drink plenty of water. This will help to give your salivary glands the liquid required to produce saliva. Try to avoid sweet beverages like juice and sports drinks because the sugars will likely do more harm than good.
- Gums, candies & mints: As long as they are sugar-free, sucking on a candy or chewing gum will force your brain to get those salivary glands going.
- Keep things clean: If you are dry, the bacteria in plaque will win the tooth decay battle. As always, brush 2-3 times daily and floss each night to reduce the bacterial load in your mouth and reduce the risk of decay.
- Over-the-counter products: Biotene, ACT and others make products designed to promote salivary flow and moisten your mouth.
- Talk to your Primary Care Physician about your medications: Many common prescription drugs reduce salivary flow. If you are taking multiple medications, it is likely that your dry mouth will be increased drastically. Talk to your doctor about alternatives.
As always, please ask the dentists at CrossKeys Dental any questions about this or any other topics in our blog.
CrossKeys Dental is located at 110 CrossKeys Office Park in Fairport. Dr. DuPre՛ and Dr. Badali provide comprehensive family dentistry and are always welcoming new patients. Visit us at www.CrossKeysDentalFairport.com for more information.
© 2020 CrossKeys Dental in Fairport, NY by Vince Badali, DDS.