Saliva (or spit) is super important. It keeps our smiles healthy, and yet we never really stop to think about it - until it disappears. For many Australians, dry mouth can be a real problem. Not only is it annoying, it can actually put your oral wellness at risk.
The team here at smilogy are here to put your mind at ease. Take a look at our top tips for what you can do to reduce dry mouth, and when to come in to see us.
What’s Saliva’s Job?
Saliva is made by your salivary glands. Its role is to help swish bacteria away and get rid of food particles. When your mouth is dry, there’s not enough lubrication to wash these things away, which can become a problem.
It’s also really crucial for the digestive process. Saliva actually contains special enzymes which help to break the things you eat down.
Overall, when you don’t have enough flow of saliva on a regular basis, it can become hard to do the things you need to, such as chewing, talking and swallowing. If there’s really not enough, you could even lose your sense of taste.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
There are so many things which can cause your mouth to be dry. Interestingly, having dry mouth isn’t a disease, it’s actually a symptom of the condition stopping the salivary glands from making enough saliva in the first place.
Medically referred to as xerostomia, you may find that stress and anxiety, dehydration, medication, other medical treatments or a combination of these things may be the reason for it. Your age can also play a factor in the reduction of the production of saliva, as can certain conditions such as autoimmune diseases or even cancer.
The Risks To Your Dental Health
When your mouth is constantly dry, you could find that you start getting cavities. Without enough saliva flow, you’re not benefitting from the enzymes that break food particles down or neutralise acids, and there’s less of it to wash bacteria away as well.
Your mouth, if too dry, can become the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. This means that you’ll have more plaque, which may eventually lead to tooth decay. Saliva has some really awesome protective proteins and ions in it as well, which you’ll start seeing less of.
People with dry mouth are also more vulnerable to things like sores and infections, including oral thrush. This isn’t particularly pleasant, as it has a habit of causing bad breath and making tasting and even swallowing more difficult.
Help Is Available
There are some at-home remedies you can try for temporary relief of dry mouth. At smilogy, we recommend:
- Drinking heaps of water
- Chewing sugarless gum or sucking sugarless lollies
- Over-the-counter saliva production products
- Staying away from super dry, salty or acidic foods
- Avoiding alcohol, smoking, and caffeine
- Keeping on top of your oral hygiene
Literally hundreds of common prescriptions list dry mouth as a side effect. If you think that this is the case with yours, don’t stop taking them without your doctor’s consent, and let your dentist know at your next appointment.
Come To smilogy
As part of your check-ups with smilogy, we ask a range of questions to ensure you get the best treatment.
If you’ve been experiencing dry mouth - talk to us! Our Australian dentists may have their own tips and tricks they recommend. It’s also more important than ever to keep up with regular appointments, because that’s how we’ll be able to treat any issues which are already present.
Call us today on 02 8005 4434 or get in touch now.