Dry mouth is a condition where our mouth produces less saliva. This decrease in saliva production can make it easier for harmful bacteria to grow inside your mouth.

Furthermore, lack of saliva production can spoil our oral health and damage our teeth too. WHO reports that more than 3.5 billion people worldwide are suffering from oral diseases.

Hence, it is very important to understand the impact of dry mouth on oral health in more detail. Additionally, we need to understand and implement prevention measures to overcome this issue.

What is the Reason Behind Dry Mouth?

Our mouth usually gets dry when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep our mouth wet. This condition in medical terms is called xerostomia.

Studies suggest that the percentage of people with xerostomia varies from 0.9 to 64.8%. There are various reasons for this.

Firstly, it could be because of the consumption of high BP or antidepressant medicines, aging factors, dehydration, etc. People who smoke, drink alcohol, and drink coffee suffer from dry mouth.

Additionally, patients who take medicines for diabetes, hepatitis C, Sjogren’s syndrome, etc tend to have dry mouth issues.

To understand this in-depth, let us take opioids as an example. These are medicines that are prescribed for pain management. However, they can reduce your saliva production and make your mouth dry.

Also, the sad reality is people tend to get addicted as they continue consuming opioids. According to The New York Times, around 3 in 10 adults are addicted to opioids or have a family member who is addicted.

Therefore, to treat these opioid-addicted patients, medications like Suboxone (a combination of naloxone and buprenorphine) are given. According to TorHoerman Law, Suboxone has turned into an essential drug that provides a safer and more controlled option for managing opioid addiction.

Unfortunately, despite Suboxone’s effectiveness in opioid addiction treatment, it tends to cause dry mouth as a side effect. As a result, the vast majority of victims have filed a Suboxone lawsuit against the manufacturers.

The Impact of Dry Mouth on Oral Health

Firstly, saliva helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria inside the mouth. It produces enzymes that start the digestion process and create a layer of protection to protect tooth surfaces.

Up next, it helps in the natural rejuvenation of tooth enamel. It is one of the main reasons for tooth health and prevents tooth decay and cavities.

As saliva production decreases as in the case of dry mouth, the harmful bacteria that usually cause tooth decay increases. Bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus, Actinomyces, etc produce lactic and butyric acid which dissolves and damages tooth enamel and leads to cavities.

Moreover, the lack of saliva lets the food particles and bacteria settle inside your mouth which will further increase the oral infections risk.

Lastly, dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease by causing gingivitis which leads to thrush and other gum-related and oral infections.

4 Best Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay Caused By Dry Mouth

Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Firstly, visiting your dentist regularly is key for maintaining your overall dental health and preventing tooth decay. Your dentist can help in removing stains and tartar that can build up faster without saliva.

The dentist can further look for early signs of tooth decay and recommend targeted treatments to prevent more serious issues.

Proper Oral Hygiene Practices

Make sure to always maintain strict oral hygiene as part of your daily routine. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily to get rid of food particles and stains.

You can also use fluoride treatment which can strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce cavity risks in the future.

Saliva Substitutes and Oral Rinses

Saliva substitutes and specially formulated oral rinses can help ease your dry mouth symptoms. These products contain ingredients like humectants, thickening agents, electrolytes, etc, and are designed in such a way that they act like natural saliva.

They keep your mouth wet, reduce dental issues, and give you temporary relief.

Lifestyle Modifications

When we talk about lifestyle modifications concerning dry mouth management, then nothing beats hydration. According to MedicineNET, make sure you drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day especially while you are eating.

Additionally, avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. Alcohol triggers frequent urination which will reduce the water content in your body. Caffeine on the other hand dries your mouth.

Dry mouth can be dangerous to your oral health. The lack of saliva encourages bacteria growth, which causes tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral infections. Research shows that nearly 42% of US adults have gum-related diseases.

However, taking the right steps can make a huge difference. Regular dental checkups, proper oral hygiene, saliva substitutes, and lifestyle modifications are key to managing dry mouth and fighting tooth decay.

Hence, if you are facing any issues with dry mouth or oral health problems, consult an experienced dentist. They’ll give you personalized recommendations and take care of any underlying issues.