Can dry mouth encourage dental problems?

Yes: Dry mouth can cause serious dental problems. Saliva helps to remove bacteria, remove the toxins they produce and maintain ph at a healthy level. Without adequate saliva you are much more at risk of developing cavities. Routine dental care is very important for patients with dry mouth. Your dentist will give you strategies to help with your dry mouth.

Absolutely: Dry mouth can be caused by several factors, among them side effects of some medications as well as various medical conditions. It's best to find out the cause and then see what can be done to minimize or eliminate the dry mouth. There are many products to help keep your mouth moist and minimize the harmful effects of dry mouth. The Biotene line of products are extremely helpful.

Definitely, yes,: Without enough saliva, tooth decay and gum disease are more likely to occur. If dry mouth is not properly treated, it can lead to more serious oral pathology problems. See your PCP and dentist for evaluation and treatment.

Salivart: there are saliva substitutes which seem to help some of my patients with this problem. Salivart and Biotene are the current top choices

Absolutely: Rampant dental caries and periodontal disease are but a few of the problems associated with xerostomia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerostomia

Certainly,,,: Particularly with aging and several medications, dry mouth can occur. The type of bacteria and pattern of decay changes as dry mouth occurs. Furthermore, your sense of taste may change as tastebuds are effected as well. Using adjuncts such as Salivart and abiogenesis are recommended. As well as, fluoride mouth rinses such as Act or Listermint with fluoride. Avoid rinses with an alcohol base as wel

Yes it can: cause dental problems. Discuss with your dentist and get teeth cleaned and checked every 6 months.