Dry Mouth

Have you ever seen the commercials that talk about the potential side effects of medications?  Sometimes the side effects seem worse than the ailment they are treating!!  Many medications will affect the amount of saliva that you produce.  Saliva is one of our body’s primary defenses against cavities.  Many of us don’t drink enough water.  Dehydration will contribute to dry mouth and contribute to tooth decay.  Certain blood pressure medications (water pill) regulate your water levels and you should consult your physician before increasing water intake.  Dry mouth may also increase your chances of aphthous ulcers, bad breath, and burning mouth syndrome.  There are great salivary substitutes available over the counter that can help as well.  Candy and gum that contain xylitol have been showing promising results for increasing salivation and fighting tooth decay.  The body typically wants to produce more saliva when food is in the mouth to begin the digestion process.  Xylitol candy is great because it can increase salivation and help prevent decay at the same time.  Candy and gum with sugar may increase salivation, but they also lead to more decay.  Let’s talk about some ways to help and what you should avoid to keep those pearly whites!