The oral environment has its own chemical balance.

Saliva is essential for maintaining a neutral or slightly alkaline oral pH. It is used, among other things, to naturally protect teeth against carious acid attacks.

Xerostomia or dry mouth occurs when there is a decrease in saliva flow. This phenomenon causes a significant imbalance in the mouth. It is therefore common to notice that people with a lower quantity or quality of saliva are more affected by various dental conditions including tooth decay, dental erosion or even gum disease.

To treat dry mouth, it is important to identify the most likely cause.

To compensate for the lack of saliva, it is recommended to moisturize the mouth with small sips of water, especially at night.

During meals, it would be wise to add sauce to the dish to make it easier to swallow.  It is also interesting to know that raw foods stimulate the production of saliva.

Choose a toothpaste without Lauryl Sodium Sulfate. This ingredient may have a tendency to cause mucosal ulcerations. Instead, encourage the use of a fluoride-rich toothpaste to help remineralize the enamel.

You can also use a fluoridated mouthwash in the evening before bedtime to prevent cavities.

There are also specialized products, the best known of which are from Biotene (toothpaste, mouthwash, gel and moisturizing spray) and Oral Science (anti-cavity toothpaste, fluoridated mouthwash, adherent night tablets, spray, gums, tablets and repair gel). Choose tablets or gums containing xylitol because this sweetener has the power to stimulate salivation.

In case of xerostomia secondary to taking medication, it is advisable to check with your doctor if it is possible to choose another equivalent medication that does not have this side effect, which can be very harmful to your teeth.

Reducing tobacco, alcohol or drug use and controlling stress can reverse a dry mouth secondary to these agents.  Avoid sticky foods and sweet drinks that significantly increase the carbohydrate index when suffering from dry mouth.

It is essential to have regular follow-up with your dentist, because the lack of saliva creates a high carious potential.  In addition to preventing more serious problems, your dentist will be able to advise you to limit the discomfort caused by dry mouth.

The most frequent causes are:

• Normal aging;
• Stress;
• The consumption of tobacco, alcohol and drugs;
• Taking medications that have the side effect of reducing saliva flow (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antiparkinsonians, sleeping pills, etc.);
• Removal of the salivary glands;
• Radiation therapy for the head and neck.

There are certain medical conditions, such as Sjrögren’s Syndrome, that result in a significant decrease in saliva flow.