Most of us rarely think about saliva unless our mouth suddenly feels dry. Yet saliva plays an important role in protecting our teeth and gums every day.
It does much more than keep your mouth moist. Saliva helps neutralise acids, wash away food particles and support the natural remineralisation of tooth enamel. When saliva levels are reduced, these protective effects are also reduced, which is why persistent dry mouth can become an oral health concern.
What Does Saliva Actually Do for Your Teeth?
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) describes saliva as “nature’s mouthwash” because it helps protect the mouth in many ways.
Saliva helps to:
- Neutralise acids: Bacteria in the mouth use sugars from food and drinks to produce acids that can attack tooth enamel.
- Wash away food particles: Saliva naturally helps clear food and debris from around the teeth.
- Support enamel: Minerals in saliva, including calcium and phosphate, support natural enamel remineralisation.
- Protect against tooth decay: Healthy saliva flow helps create an environment that is less favourable to decay.
- Keep oral tissues comfortable: Saliva lubricates the tongue, cheeks and gums and assists with speaking, chewing and swallowing.
In other words, saliva is part of your mouth’s natural defence system, working continuously throughout the day.
What Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when there is not enough saliva to keep the mouth adequately moist. It may be temporary, but for some people it can become an ongoing problem.
Signs of dry mouth can include:
- A dry or sticky feeling in the mouth
- A dry tongue or throat
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing certain foods
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty speaking for extended periods
- Problems wearing dentures comfortably
- Increased tooth decay
The ADA advises that tooth decay can develop more quickly when the mouth is dry. With less saliva available, acids are not neutralised as effectively, and the teeth receive less of saliva’s natural cleansing and remineralising effects.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth can have many different causes, and sometimes more than one factor may be involved.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
- Medications: Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can reduce saliva production.
- Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can temporarily reduce saliva flow.
- Smoking: Smoking can contribute to a dry mouth.
- Alcohol: Alcohol may make dry-mouth symptoms worse.
- Certain health conditions: Some medical conditions can affect saliva production.
- Cancer treatment: Radiation treatment involving the head and neck can affect the salivary glands.
If you think medication may be contributing to dry mouth, speak with your doctor rather than stopping or changing medication yourself.
What Can You Do About Dry Mouth?
Managing dry mouth depends on its cause, but there are several everyday measures that may help protect your teeth and improve comfort.
These include:
- Drinking water regularly throughout the day
- Choosing water instead of sugary or acidic drinks
- Chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva, where appropriate
- Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
- Limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking
- Avoiding sugary lollies as a way of relieving dryness
Saliva-replacement products such as gels, sprays and specialised oral-care products are also available. Your dentist, doctor or pharmacist can advise whether these may be suitable for you.
When Should You Speak to Your Dentist?
Occasionally experiencing a dry mouth when you are thirsty or first wake up is not necessarily unusual. Persistent dry mouth, however, is worth discussing with your dentist or doctor.
One of our dentists at Verve Dental can check for changes in your teeth and gums, assess your individual decay risk and recommend appropriate ways to help protect your oral health. If your dry mouth is ongoing, mentioning it at your next dental visit can help us understand what may be contributing to it and whether your oral care routine needs any additional support.
Key points to remember:
- Saliva helps protect teeth by neutralising acids and washing away food particles.
- Minerals in saliva support the natural remineralisation of tooth enamel.
- Persistent dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay.
- Medications, dehydration, smoking, alcohol and some medical treatments can contribute to dry mouth.
- Water, fluoride toothpaste and good oral hygiene are particularly important when saliva flow is reduced.
- Ongoing dry mouth should be discussed with your dentist or doctor.
Saliva may be easy to overlook, but it is an important part of your mouth’s natural protection. If you have noticed that your mouth regularly feels dry or you are concerned about changes in your teeth or gums, speak with one of our dentists at Verve Dental at your next visit, or contact our team to arrange an appointment.
