Saliva Is Good For You

A thriving smile can elevate your confidence and overall wellbeing. As a part of our mission to create beautiful, healthy smiles at Envisia Lifestyle Dentistry in Bellingham, WA, we often find ourselves underscoring the importance of one key player in oral health: saliva. While it may sound slightly offbeat, the truth is, the juicier your mouth, the better for your overall dental health.

Saliva does more than merely facilitate swallowing and provide digestive enzymes like amylase, lysozyme, and lipase. It has a pivotal role in combating tooth decay by neutralizing acids from our diet and bacterial activity. By replenishing minerals lost to these acids, saliva helps maintain tooth integrity. Moreover, it dilutes toxins churned out by the bacterial plaque, a persistent uninvited guest residing on every tooth surface.

However, as we journey through life, the production of saliva tends to naturally taper off. Various medications may exacerbate this issue, turning our mouths into arid landscapes reminiscent of the Gobi desert. Conditions like untreated sleep apnea, leading to mouth breathing during sleep, can also significantly contribute to dry mouth. Such situations can unfortunately compromise even the most meticulous dental work. If you have exposed roots, particularly between teeth, the resulting root surface decay can expedite tooth loss.

At Envisia Lifestyle Dentistry, we understand these challenges and are committed to helping you navigate them. There are several commercial products available that can enhance oral comfort in the face of dry mouth. Using candies or gums sweetened with xylitol can also help keep your mouth moist and inhibit bacterial action. If medication is causing your dry mouth, we recommend discussing alternative prescriptions with your physician. Addressing conditions like sleep apnea is vital for this and numerous other health reasons. Make hydration a constant companion, and aim to rinse your mouth well after every meal. For those on the go, consider carrying a travel toothbrush for additional convenience.

As part of your at-home dental care regimen, the trinity of brushing, flossing, and using "between-the-teeth" brushes like Proxybrush or SoftPicks should be non-negotiable. For an extra layer of protection, incorporate a fluoride gel like Prevident or Floridex into your nighttime brushing routine. Brush using the gel, but resist the urge to rinse before going to bed. In case of severe dry mouth, consider wearing trays (similar to bleaching trays) filled with fluoride while you sleep.

Dry mouth is indeed a formidable challenge we face, particularly in our older patients. Early identification and intervention are crucial, so we urge you to let us know at the onset of any dry mouth symptoms. Together, we can work to ensure your mouth remains as juicy as possible, contributing to the longevity of your radiant smile. Remember, at Envisia Lifestyle Dentistry, we're not just about enhancing smiles, we're about enhancing lives.