By Dr. Héctor Sáenz de Viteri Tejeda
How important is saliva for the teeth and mouth? The digestion process starts with chewing. Teeth break down the food we eat, and saliva lubricates the food we chew to prepare it for swallowing. Another important role of saliva is to maintain a moist environment with an oral pH of 7 (neutral); acidic pH levels lower than 7 can damage the teeth. Two of the most common diseases treated in dentistry are cavities (decay) and periodontal disease, whose prevalence can sometimes be related to the absence of saliva, low saliva production, and/or problems associated with difficulty maintaining a neutral pH. Saliva works as a cleanser in the oral cavity, removing dental plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) from tooth surfaces.
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition in which the salivary glands in the mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. There are many factors that can cause dry mouth such as the side effect of many medications, cancer radiation treatment of the head and neck that damages the salivary glands, autoimmune diseases such as Sjrögren’s syndrome, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, advanced Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, and anxiety. Age is another factor, with dry mouth being more prevalent in people over 50, especially women. The use of tobacco, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks can also cause dry mouth.
What are some of th clinical signs of dry mouth?
- Increased fluid intake during meals
- Bad taste, bad breath
- Dry lips, dry mucous, burning sensation of the tongue
- Angular cheilitis (a common skin condition affecting the corners of the mouth)
- Candidiasis (fungal infections)
- Cavities (decay) or rampant cavities (very fast decay; destruction of teeth)
How do I treat dry mouth? First, having good oral hygiene is extremely important. Second, a saliva secretion test should be performed to evaluate the severity of hyposalivation or diagnose xerostomia. Dry mouth symptoms can be treated with saliva substitutes found in the form of gels, mouthwash solutions, aerosols, and chewing gums that your dentist can prescribe. Pilocarpine hydrochloride is a common oral medication used to treat dry mouth that will induce the production of saliva.
You may need to visit your dentist more regularly for dental cleanings and checkups. Tooth restorations (fillings) and teeth have a high failure rate in patients with dry mouth. X-rays are always a great tool to help diagnose cavities. Your dentist can help protect your teeth from getting decay with products like fluoride varnishes during your visits and can suggest a high fluoride content toothpaste (prescription) for home hygiene and toothbrushing techniques.
Dr. Héctor Sáenz de Viteri Tejeda, who specializes in prosthodontics and implant dentistry from the Universidad de la Salle Bajío and The University of North Carolina can be reached at Salida a Celaya 22, or at 415 152 2065 / 415 154 5152.
