Saliva is your friend
That slimy wet watery substance found in your mouth is actually one of your best friends. Saliva is very important for many different reasons. It plays a necessary and vital role when eating and chewing. We don’t recognize how important it is until you lose part of it and find your tongue sticking to the top of your mouth. Think back on those times when you have a really intense situation or your adrenaline kicks in and you can’t pull your tongue off the roof of your mouth. It can be really annoying and hard to talk or eat anything.
Saliva also helps in keeping the teeth healthy and strong. It washes away food and debris from the teeth and gums. Some of the minerals found in your saliva can actually help fight cavities by replacing those that are lost when a cavity first develops. Some people have a condition where they are always like this. It is called xerostomia, or dry mouth. This condition is not a disease but a symptom caused by a myriad of different reasons.
In the majority of cases xerostomia, dry mouth, is a side effect of using some types of medications. These medications include antihistamines, diuretics, blood pressure meds, muscle relaxants and painkillers just to name a few. Up to 400 different medications have this side effect. When taking a new medication it is important to look at the list of side effects to see if this condition is listed.
Other causes of xerostomia are head and neck cancer, head and neck radiation therapy, stress, Sjodgren Syndrome, endocrine disorders, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, stroke and AIDS. Dry mouth can also be the cause of some hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
What are the symptoms?
Here is a list of some of the symptoms of xerostomia. Read down this list and see if you have one or more of these:
- a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth or throat
- limited saliva that seems thick or stringy
- a burning sensation in the mouth
- trouble in chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- an altered sense of taste
- a rough dry tongue
- cracked lips, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth
- an infection in the mouth
- increased plaque (a thin film of bacteria), tooth decay and gum disease
- bad breath
Dealing with dry mouth, JADA, Vol. 136, May 2005, pg 703
Treatment for Xerostomia.
There are some things that you can do if you are experiences a dry mouth. In some cases if it is a side effect of medication you can ask you doctor if there is another type of medication that you can take that doesn’t cause dry mouth. In most cases the medications are too important to switch or stop. In that case there are some saliva replacement options available. Alcohol free mouth rinses, such as Biotene, are available over the counter and some by prescription. Taking frequent sips of water or using sugar free candy or gum can increase the secretion of saliva. Most important is the need of proper oral hygiene. Tooth decay can run rampant in a mouth that is dry. Brushing and flossing after every meal and more frequent dental cleanings can help to keep your teeth cavity free.
If you are experiencing any of these conditions please make an appointment and let us help. We want your mouth and teeth to be healthy and cavity free.
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