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Dry Mouth

Dry Mouth and your Oral Health

Your mouth needs saliva to be able to work properly. Saliva keeps your mouth moist, and it helps to break down your food and helps you to swallow. It also acts as a cleanser. It is constantly washing around your mouth and teeth, fighting tooth decay and helping to keep your teeth clean. Dry mouth or ‘xerostomia' is a condition which affects the flow of saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry. (dentalhealth.org)

 

When to visit the Dentist?

You have a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease with dry mouth, and these can get worse more quickly than usual. So it is important to visit your dental team regularly. Your dental team will tell you how often you should visit. (dentalhealth.org)

 

The Dangers of Dry Mouth and Dental Damage? 

Most people have dealt with dry mouth from time to time, but when dry mouth is a constant, chronic problem, it can lead to severe dental damage and should not go untreated.


General dentistry treatments are highly effective at treating and preventing dental damage, helping to maintain a vibrant, healthy smile . To find out which treatments for dry mouth and dental damage are right for you, schedule a consultation with Wilmington, DE dentists Paul E. Brown, Christopher S. Baran, and Mark B. Brown. 



Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when the salivary glands fail to produce sufficient amounts of saliva. For some, dry mouth is a temporary condition caused by dehydration or breathing dry air, while others may find it to be a chronic problem. When dry mouth happens on a regular basis, it may be caused by an underlying issue, like a salivary gland infection or diabetes.

Dry mouth can cause oral health problems as a result of decreased saliva production. Saliva is an important component of oral health. Saliva provides a natural defense against acid erosion by neutralizing acids within the mouth, washing away food debris, and restoring minerals to the teeth. When an insufficient amount of saliva is produced and dry mouth regularly occurs, it can cause serious oral health issues, including

Gum disease:

Gum disease is a common complication of dry mouth. Caused by a bacterial infection from plaque and tartar buildup at the gums, gum disease is dangerous to oral health because it increases the risk of tooth decay, allowing decay to reach the tooth roots. Gum disease may even spread to the structures supporting the teeth, resulting in loose teeth and tooth loss.

Dental staining: Dry mouth increases the risk of 

dental staining and discoloration as a result of enamel erosion and increased levels of plaque and food debris on the teeth. (brownbarandentistry.com)

 

Dry mouth can be a serious problem and it is best to get it checked ASAP if you are experiencing side effects. Give us a call at 416 222 8296 to speak to someone in regarding to answering any questions or booking an appointment. At Wexford Dental Clinic we provide affordable dentistry in Scarborough.

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