How Dry Mouth and Cavities are Connected
Many people may not realize that the saliva in their mouth actually has many purposes. A person may not even pay attention to the saliva that forms in their mouth until they wake up in a puddle of it on their pillow or notice the lack of it during a hot day. Saliva isn’t a useless bodily fluid but plays a vital role in protection for many parts of the mouth.
Saliva is produced by glands that are located under the tongue and are 99 percent water. Saliva also contains proteins, electrolytes, enzymes, and mucin. All these components help saliva protect all parts of the mouth. There are many important functions of saliva. Some of these functions include:
* Washes away food debris in the mouth
* Helps with taste
* Makes it easier to swallow food
* Keeps the mouth and tongue moist
* Protects tooth enamel
* Prevents tooth decay
* Neutralizes acids produced by bacteria
* Prevents gum disease
* Keeps teeth strong and healthy
Because saliva plays such an important role in the health of the mouth, it’s important that a person contact Prescott Dental Arts when experiencing a lack of saliva. If a person does not have a sufficient amount of saliva in their mouth this is referred to as dry mouth. Many people have experienced dry mouth on certain occasions, like on a hot day or when participating in rigorous activities.
However, dry mouth will become an issue when it becomes chronic. Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands under the tongue do not produce a sufficient amount of saliva to keep the mouth moist. Dry mouth is not normal and should be addressed immediately if it continues over a long period of time. There are certain symptoms associated with dry mouth.
Some of these symptoms include:
* Dry tongue and throat
* Sticky feeling in the mouth
* Bad breath
* Grooves in the tongue
* Sore throat
* Taste changes
*Problems when talking
*Problems swallowing food
As mentioned above dry mouth can be very serious and must be addressed immediately. Not only does dry mouth cause a lot of dental health issues it can also be a sign of other overall health problems. There are many things that can cause dry mouth. Some of these include:
* Aging
* Diabetes
* Yeast infection
* Stroke
* Alzheimer’s disease
* Cancer treatments
*Certain medications
*Nerve damage
*Alcohol consumption
*Tobacco use
When a person does not have an adequate amount of saliva in their mouth they are more prone to developing tooth decay. As mentioned above saliva works to protect and strengthen tooth enamel as well as break down and wash away food debris, plaque, and acids that can cause tooth decay. When plaque is not washed away by saliva it clings to the teeth and the acids it contains eats away at the tooth enamel. As the acid eats away at the enamel, little holes form in the tooth. These holes are called cavities.
Cavities cannot heal themselves and must be treated by the dentist. At Prescott Dental Arts we know the importance of avoiding dry mouth. We explain to our patients the important role saliva plays in protecting the teeth from cavities. At our Prescott Arizona office, we work to educate our patients on the importance of avoiding dry mouth. We also offer many suggestions on how to eliminate dry mouth. Some of these suggestions include:
* Drinking more water
* Drink less caffeine
* Avoiding alcohol
* Avoiding tobacco products
* Use alcohol-free mouthwash
* Chew sugarless gum
* Avoid using certain medications
* Stop the use of decongestants or antihistamines
* Use a humidifier
* Use Biotene oral rinse
If you or someone you know is suffering from a dry mouth it’s important to seek treatment immediately. At Prescott Dental Arts our experienced team will work to find the cause of the dry mouth and work to properly treat the condition. Contact our office today for an appointment.
Call us at (928) 445-8980
Prescott Dental Arts
1787 Willow Creek Rd.
Prescott, AZ 86301
Request Your
Appointment Online
$150
EXAM, CLEANING & X-RAYS
Non-Insured, New Patient Coupon
1787 Willow Creek Rd
Prescott, AZ 86301
Implant Dentistry
Dental Implant Dentures
Dental Implant Bridges
Teeth in a Day
Dental Implant Crowns
Dental Implant Cost
Zirconia Dental Implants