The Dangers of Dry Mouth

Did you know that the average person produces as much as 2 to 4 pints of saliva a day? There’s a reason your body works hard to keep your mouth moist. While you may think that saliva is only there to help you swallow and speak comfortably, your spit actually plays a very important role within your oral health. Lack of saliva can lead to a dangerous condition called Dry Mouth.

The Importance of Saliva

Saliva comes from special glands that sit in several areas of your oral cavity, including inside each cheek, at the bottom of your mouth and near your front teeth. Saliva is mostly made of water. However, this clear liquid also offers critical proteins and minerals that your teeth need to stay strong and digest your food. Your spit also plays the valued role of washing away food particles after you eat and clearing your mouth of bacteria throughout the day. Finally, saliva helps neutralize the pH of your mouth when enamel-eroding acids are present. Since we know that an acidic oral environment, weak enamel and excessive bacteria are culprits for dental trouble, we can safely say we need our spit to retain a healthy smile.

Low saliva production, also known as dry mouth or xerostomia, can lead to several threats to your teeth and gums, including the following:

• Uncomfortable to chew, swallow and speak
• Lowered ability to taste
• Poor digestion
• Bad breath
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay

What’s Causing Your Dry Mouth?

The first step in treating your dry mouth is to determine the cause. Low saliva production can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from dehydration to a medication side effect. If your dry mouth is not something you can reverse, it becomes important to talk to your dentist about ways to boost your saliva production. Before your dry mouth compromises your dental health, contact our team at Green Dental of Alexandria.