Dental Health
Saliva
Acknowledgments: This section was developed by DVA Dental Advisers using content from Dr Chris Daly www.haps.nsw.gov.au/patrsrcs/patsclero/oralcr.htm
A dry mouth is not a happy mouth!
Lack of saliva may cause mouth discomfort, make eating, swallowing and talking difficult and produce a bad taste. Saliva plays a very important role in controlling bacteria in the mouth.
A drop in the production of saliva can affect the ability to taste food, to chew and swallow. Many prescription medicines and some over-the-counter medicines can reduce saliva production. As well, a low intake of water, or too high an intake of alcohol or caffeine (eg. through coffee or cola soft drink) can also reduce the flow of saliva and lead to dental problems.
Saliva is extremely important for washing bacteria (germs) and food particles away from your teeth and gum areas and also for providing the minerals necessary to keep the surfaces of your teeth hard. A dry mouth often leads to tooth decay and gum problems (periodontitis). To avoid these problems, the following are important:
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Diet - avoid chewing sweets and lollies - sucking a cherry seed will often produce saliva and does not harm the teeth. Sugarless gum may also help in the production of saliva.
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Dental Care - if you do have a dry mouth then you require dental check-ups at least 3 times a year, so your dentist can monitor the health of your teeth and gums closely.
If you have dentures - saliva provides a 'cushion' between your dentures and your gums and also helps in the suction of an upper full denture. It also helps to kill germs that grow on the outside and inside surfaces of your dentures. If your mouth is dry, dentures may traumatise your gums and create sore spots. Suction may also be reduced. To avoid these problems it is important to place a smear of glycerine or a special gel (Oral Balance) on the gum fitting surfaces of your dentures to improve suction during the day. If you have any problems, see your dentist.