Dry mouth may not seem like a big problem but when left unchecked, it can become more than just a minor annoyance and lead to systemic health problems. Proper saliva production is a crucial aspect of dental health as saliva plays a major role in keeping your mouth clean and your teeth healthy. Learn more about why dry mouth occurs and what you can do about it in today’s blog.
Dry mouth can have serious effects on your health.
What You Need to Know About Dry Mouth From Your Olney Dentist
Why is saliva important?
Proper saliva production plays an important role in your dental health. Saliva’s main role is to rinse away harmful bacteria which would otherwise accumulate and lead to gum disease. Saliva also facilitates the digestions process and fortifies the enamel on your teeth which protects them from decay. If you are not producing enough saliva, it can have consequences for not only your oral health but your overall health as well.
What issues can be caused by dry mouth?
The most pressing concern created by dry mouth is periodontal disease that can occur when bad bacteria is allowed to accumulate. In worst case scenarios, periodontal disease can degrade the bones and ligaments that are connected to your teeth and bacteria can enter your bloodstream. When this happens, heart disease, diabetes, and other systemic health problems can be a result.
What causes dry mouth?
The population most likely to experience dry mouth is women over 50 years old. Dry mouth is often a side effect of certain prescription medications which are most likely to be taken by these women, so if you are on a medication and you begin to experience dry mouth, be sure to talk to your doctor about finding a remedy before it gets worse.
Is dry mouth treatable?
When you begin to experience dry mouth, you should immediately visit your Olney dentist to discuss possible causes and remedies. Your dentist will work with you to decide on the best course of action, which may include regularly eating xylitol-sweetened candy that can increase saliva production. They may also advise you to talk to your doctor about switching to a different prescription medication that does not cause dry mouth.
Your Olney Dentist
Call Olney Dental at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online for an appointment. And don’t forget to visit Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube to connect with us on social media.