Your mouth's first defense against tooth decay is saliva. The role of saliva takes many forms including:
• Removal of food and debris
• Neutralizing acids that cause decay
• Defenses against infection
• Providing substances to help fight disease
A lack of sufficient saliva in the mouth is called xerostomia, or as it is more commonly called, Dry Mouth. Dry mouth can lead to or be associated with difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, constant sore throat, burning sensations, dry nasal passages, and even trouble speaking. Without the protective properties of saliva severe tooth decay can occur. Dry mouth can make the use of dentures and partials difficult.
Dry mouth is often a side effect of certain types of medications like antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, pain killers, and others. It can also be cause by other medical disorders.
If you have dry mouth it is important that you restore moisture in your mouth. Some simple things that may help get saliva flowing are sugar-free gum or candy. Let us know if you are experiencing dry mouth. We may recommend using artificial saliva or oral rinses .
