Dry Mouth & Cavities
Does Dry Mouth Can Cause Cavities?
“Xerostomia” (pronounced “xerostomia”) is the zero-based scientific name for this condition. There is either no saliva or none present.
Three out of every ten people suffer from dry mouth, making it one of the underlying causes of gum disease. Dry mouth is a common adverse effect of numerous drugs that many adults take as they age. A dry mouth is a common symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome and other medical problems. Dry mouth is a side effect of radiation therapy, which helps treat cancer but can also damage salivary glands.
Dry mouth symptoms
Some of the signs of a dry mouth are:
- Sticky or viscous saliva
- Issues with chewing or swallowing, especially with dry meals like biscuits
- Foul breath, mouth sores
- Chapped and dehydrated lips
- Risk of developing oral thrush
- a lot of cavities and a painful, tingling feeling in your mouth
- Loose acrylic (non-metal) dentures in Prescott, AZ, because saliva helps to create suction between the gum
- tissues and the denture’s acrylic base, preventing the Prescott denture from moving around.
Dry mouth’s root causes
A wide range of transient and chronic disorders can impair the body’s ability to produce saliva. Examples of such circumstances could be:
- Various legal and illegal drugs and prescriptions can cause a dry mouth. These include legal and illicit drugs like cocaine and antihistamines, hypertension drugs, sedatives, decongestants, analgesics (pain relievers), and antidepressants.
- Infection: inflammation of the salivary glands caused by a bacterial or viral infection (like mumps) can reduce saliva production.
- Sjogren’s syndrome, a common autoimmune condition, can also affect the sweat glands, eyes, and salivary glands.
- Small stones composed of salivary minerals can form and become lodged in the salivary ducts, preventing the normal outflow of saliva.
- HIV/AIDS, amyloidosis, cerebral palsy, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, lupus, and some autoimmune disorders
- The facial nerves control the salivary glands’ function, which can cause nerve disorders. For instance, injuries, diseases, or surgical procedures that cause damage to these nerves can reduce saliva production.
- Cancer therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy (if given to the head or neck) can temporarily suppress saliva production.
- Other factors, such as hormonal shifts during pregnancy or menopause or chronic nasal or sinus congestion, force you to breathe mostly through your mouth.
- A dry mouth and thick saliva can be symptoms of dehydration. Medical issues like blood loss, severe diarrhea, or kidney failure can also cause dehydration.
Cavities and a dry mouth
Tooth decay in the biting areas and between teeth is usually caused by not brushing and flossing your teeth daily, plus eating plenty of sugary foods. A dry mouth increases the risk of cavities, including those at the gum line (on the tooth’s root surface).
Dentine, the innermost layer of teeth, is much more susceptible to decay than enamel, the outermost layer, especially without sufficient saliva. Saliva typically protects the lower front teeth, so people with dry mouths are more likely to develop cavities.
Tooth decay is a common side effect of dry mouth, which is unpleasant for the patient. Saliva is essential because it helps clean the teeth naturally. If you don’t produce as much saliva, plaque in your mouth will be harder to clean. With good nutrition and hygiene practices, you can avoid it.
To prevent tooth decay:
- Use an over-the-counter mouthwash containing fluorides in Prescott, AZ, such as ACT or another brand.
- Get your teeth checked every year and x-rayed to catch cavities early.
- Visit your dentist in Prescott, AZ, or the Prescott Dental Arts hygienist regularly to check for increased decay.
In that case, they may recommend switching to a prescription fluoride toothpaste with a greater fluoride concentration.
How to Deal with Dry Mouth
Follow the advice of your doctor and dentist, but here are some general dietary suggestions:
- Avoid any substance that induces dry mouth. Examples include cigarettes, alcohol, coffee, and hot sauce.
- Consume chewy foods to increase the flow of saliva.
- Before swallowing, chew your food thoroughly.
- Consume liquid foods daily.
- Avoid crunchy items that can cause mouth pain, such as crackers or potato chips.
- Avoid sugary foods and beverages.
- Acidic foods and drinks include sodas, carbonated beverages, athletic beverages, cordial drinks, tropical fruits, and juices from fruits. These drinks are bad for your teeth and may be high in sugar.
- Avoid candies (particularly sour and fruit-flavored ones), sugary mints, hard candies, and mouthwashes with alcohol if you suffer from dry mouth.
- Chew sugar-free gum between meals to increase saliva flow.
- Drink plenty of water, but don’t sip it slowly, or you risk having your saliva washed away. A drink bottle may be helpful.
- Consult your dentist for additional dietary advice, including a complete list of foods and beverages to limit or avoid.
Remedy ideas for dry mouth
Consult your dentist in Prescott, Arizona, and physician for specific advice, but here are some self-care basics to keep in mind:
- Floss once and brush twice daily to keep your teeth healthy.
- Make use of fluoride toothpaste and rinse regularly.
- If you have a dry mouth, discuss treatment options with your dentist.
- Use a greasy lip balm, like Vaseline or lanolin, to treat dry lips.
- A humidifier placed in the bedroom before bedtime may be helpful.
- Denture wearers, who may benefit from adhesive dental goods, should consult their dentists for additional details.
- Before going to bed, remove your dentures or dental bridge.
- Getting your teeth checked, cleaned, and treated every 6–12 months.
- If you think your medication is faulty, you should still take it as prescribed. Your doctor may not be able to alter it or increase the dosage. Please consult your physician before discontinuing any prescribed medication.
A lack of saliva in the mouth impacts approximately 10% of the general population and 25% of older adults. Instead of being a condition in and of itself, dry mouth is a symptom of an underlying issue.
See if your elderly loved ones have dry mouth by asking about it; this may help you avoid cavities.
If you have a problem with dry mouth, don’t hesitate to contact Prescott Dental Arts, your dentists in Prescott, AZ. We will gladly assist you with your dental needs.
Call us at (928) 445-8980
Prescott Dental Arts
1787 Willow Creek Rd.
Prescott, AZ 86301
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1787 Willow Creek Rd
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