HOW XEROSTOMIA COULD LEAD TO ORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

You may know xerostomia near Belmont as dry mouth, a condition that often comes up as a side effect of taking certain kind of medications. A dry mouth has a few implications for your dental health, so you’ll want to work with your dentist to create a treatment plan. Your saliva plays an important role when it comes to your oral health, and a dry mouth can lead to problems like tooth decay and issues with your dentures. Read ahead for a quick look at how xerostomia could lead to oral health problems.

Inhibiting Saliva Production

Xerostomia is called dry mouth because it prevents your body from producing saliva. This dries out your mouth, and is the root of a plethora of oral health problems. It’s your saliva’s job to flush out your mouth during and after a meal. This helps you get rid of food debris that might be left over, as well as any acids and bacteria that might have been created. When you can’t produce the right amount of saliva, all of these contaminants can end up staying in your mouth. The good news is that this disorder is treatable, and even simply drinking more water can be helpful.

Causing Tooth Decay

When food debris, bacteria, and acids are left on your tooth enamel, you may eventually experience tooth decay as a result. Decay will eat away at your enamel, which has the potential to significantly alter your smile. You might not expect a dry mouth to be the downfall of your smile and your oral health, but it can turn out to be a serious problem. Be sure to see your dentist about a treatment plan early on.

Experiencing Problems with Dentures

A lack of saliva can be uncomfortable and contribute to tooth decay, but it can also make it difficult to use new restorations. Dentures should be comfortable, but xerostomia can get in the way, making it difficult to chew your food or speak a regular sentence. If your dentist doesn’t know about the problem, talk to him about how your dry mouth could affect your dentures.