Dry mouth or xerostomia is where there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. If left untreated, dry mouth can cause problems with eating, talking and causing bad breath (halitosis). It can also increase periodontal disease and cause an increase in the number of tooth decay.
There are many reasons for dry mouth, sometimes it can be treated, or at least it makes it more comfortable. Saliva is important for keeping the mouth moist and cleaning your teeth. It neutralizes the acid produced by plaque and eliminates dead cells that accumulate on the gums, cheeks and tongue. Saliva can also prevent infection by reducing the amount of bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When it comes to nutrition, saliva helps digest food by making it soft.
Dry mouth may have some problems:
Dry mouth suffers from increased risk of gum disease.
The risk of dental caries is also increased because saliva restricts the growth of the bacteria and partially cleans the food residue and plaque.
Saliva improves the ability to taste and swallow food. Moreover, the enzymes contained in saliva help to digest these foods. Therefore, dry mouth disorders affect the diet because it reduces the ability to appreciate food and digest them.
Because dry gingival contact is difficult and can be painful, dry mouth can also make it difficult to denture and localize.
