Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is defined as a decrease in the amount of saliva. Saliva is considered the “miracle fluid” because it helps buffer the acids in the mouth which attempt to cause tooth decay and helps reverse decay in it’s initial stages. The causes of dry mouth include: Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, side effects from medications, dehydration, methamphetamines, cannibas, stress, aging, and radiation therapy.
Patients who suffer from dry mouth report a significant decrease in the quality of life. Not only does it make eating and chewing more difficult, it can interfere with speech, and it can alter the taste of food. People with dry mouth are at a significantly higher risk of tooth decay. Additionally they are more likely to have candida (fungal) infections and infections in the gum tissue.
Treatment for dry mouth begins with finding the cause and correcting it if possible. Stimulating the saliva is essential. There are numerous rinses available to accomplish this including Biotene and Oasis. Chewing sugar free gum or mints with xylitol is also a good way to stimulate saliva.
While cosmetic dentistry may be important to enjoying your quality of life when you are young, preventing problems along with maintaining and retaining your teeth as you age often becomes more important, especially on a fixed income. As the Center for Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry in Boise, Capitol Dental is dedicated to helping you keep your mouth healthy and prevent problems from arising. Our Anti-Cavity Action Plan (A-CAP) incorporates a saliva stimulator, high concentration fluoride toothpaste and xylitol gum or mints and aims to keep you as healthy as possible while preventing expensive and painful problems in the future.