Is chronic dry mouth harmful to oral health?
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic dry mouth, known medically as xerostomia. The definition of xerostomia is a dryness of the mouth due to lack of normal secretions. Normal salivary flow is an essential part of good oral health and there are many things that can affect the quality of saliva produced. Medication, uncontrolled diabetes, radiation treatment to the head and neck and mouth breathing are but a few of the conditions that can lead to xerostomia. A diminished salivary flow, especially when experienced over an extended period of time, can have a serious impact on the health of the oral structures, especially the teeth and gums. The drying out of these structures of the mouth can lead to an increased incidence of decay, severely inflamed gums and bad breath. Normal salivary flow is important because of the protection it provides the teeth and gums. Most people are aware of the role saliva plays in the digestive process, but few are aware of the importance it plays in contr
