Dental Health

Dry Mouth & Gum Disease

There are many medical conditions that can contribute to dry mouth or xerostomia. Medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, diuretics, and hundreds of other medications list dry mouth as a possible side effect.

The effect of dry mouth on your oral health can be very significant. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form. The most common area that is damaged from dry mouth occurs at the gum line, where the teeth emerge from the gum tissue. It is very important to keep your mouth moist to prevent these potential gum line cavities. Bad breath is common with dry mouth.

If you suffer from dry mouth is it extremely important that you receive regular professional cleanings and oral examinations. Some products that can help are: Biotene and Oralbalance (Laclede Research Laboratories), XeroLube (Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals), Saliva substitute (Roxanne Laboratories).