Your teeth and your gums require saliva to stay healthy. Without it, you are at very high risk for developing not only tooth decay, but also for having tooth loss. If you are experiencing dry mouth, you should make two appointments.

One to see your doctor and get to the bottom of what is causing it. Two, to see your dentist to make sure it is not taking a toll on your teeth.

Dry Mouth Can Severely Damage Your Teeth

Saliva has a very powerful job in our mouth. It washes off the early bits of plaque that build up, lowers the pH of our mouths, reduces the chances that we will experience cavities, rinses debris out of our mouths, and helps us eat. Without it, our mouth goes on working as best as it can, but without the checks and balances that saliva is able to provide.

The effects of dry mouth go beyond the discomfort of not having enough liquid in your mouth to keep tissues moist. It can also lead to severe cases of gum disease, tooth decay, and to full tooth loss.

There are many things that can lead to dry mouth, from getting older to certain types of medications. While we cannot always do something about aging, we can ask about using a different medication that will allow for increased salivation.

As soon as you notice that your mouth is feeling a bit dry, then you need to contact your dentist. Let them see you more regularly, and they may be able to stave off the effects of the dry mouth a bit longer.

That way, you can keep your mouth as healthy as possible while your doctor determines what could be causing your condition. Contact our office today if dry mouth is a constant problem you face.