If you have ever suffered from dry mouth, you know it can be extremely frustrating. It feels like no matter how much water you drink, your mouth just cannot stay moist. To some, this is a daily struggle; you may not know, but dry mouth can lead to other health conditions if not properly treated with your Tampa dentist. Your body produces saliva for a reason, and without this saliva, you may be exposing your teeth and gums to unnecessary problems.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Your mouth is constantly producing saliva. When visiting your Tampa dentist for a cleaning, it may feel like your saliva is going to drown you, but your body needs this to keep your mouth functioning properly. The bacteria on our teeth is constantly producing acids, which can eat away at the teeth and gums. Saliva effectively neutralizes this acid to keep it from growing and forming cavities. Without saliva, you are at a higher risk for cavities, gum disease, and other issues that would require treatment from your Tampa dentist. Much like water, saliva also helps wash away any food that gets stuck in between teeth or under the gums. Many of us cannot brush our teeth after meals, so our saliva helps to get as much out of the mouth as possible. If you suffer from dry mouth, you are leaving more in your mouth to grow bacteria that will eat away at your gums.
Dry mouth is also the culprit of more annoying, obvious symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, talking, and bad breath. All of these can cause issues like choking and tooth decay. These may seem like a pain, but if left untreated, can cause significant issues. Difficulty swallowing can lead to food not being broken down enough; saliva aids in the digestive process, so those larger food particles are now cause digestive issues.
There are many at home solutions to dry mouth, like mouthwash and gum, avoiding certain foods, and drinking a lot of water. If none of these treatments are working, schedule an appointment with your dentist; if left untreated, dry mouth can wreak havoc on your mouth.
