Looking After Your Teeth And Gums: The Dangers Of Dry Mouth

. Posted in Dental Hygiene, Oral Health

Did you know that there are a variety of conditions that can affect the health of your mouth, which can in turn affect different areas of your body?

Let me give you an example: Dry mouth.

What is dry mouth?

A dry mouth means there is far less natural irrigation by your wonderful saliva. While saliva may seem like a gross by-product of your mouth, it’s actually vitally important, as it rinses, cleanses and balances your mouth. This in turn keeps the pH or acid level down, protecting your teeth from a higher rate of decay.

Things that can cause dry mouth include:

  • Medications e.g. antidepressants, diuretics, epilepsy medication
  • Recreational drugs
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Dehydration

Why is this bad?

Dry mouth exposes your gums and soft tissues to more trauma, cuts and infections. It will also cause heavier hardening of plaque, which then turns into nasty calculus that is too hard to remove with just a toothbrush or floss.

The calculus pumps harmful toxins into your blood stream, gums and the precious bones that keep your teeth strong. Subsequent infection around your teeth (of which bleeding gums is a symptom) can cause bone loss and may cause them to fall out! Gum disease is currently the main cause of tooth loss in adults, more so than decay!

Not only that, but research has shown that this toxin, once it is in your blood stream, can be a major contributing factor to damaging large blood vessels which supplies blood to vital organs such as:

  • The heart
  • The liver
  • The kidneys

Suffice it to say that if these vessels crumble and your vital organs rupture… well, it wouldn’t be very good!

But calculus can be removed by a dental health professional. Not only does having your mouth cleaned feel fantastic, but it is actually gentler than you’d expect thanks to our latest gentle techniques and technology, offered here at Dental O So Gentle.

Keeping your mouth and gums clean and healthy is very important.

So what should you do?

Brush and Floss

Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss/clean between your teeth once a day, preferably just before bed so your mouth and gums get a lovely rest from the plaque and irritating toxins.

Sleep

Sleep time is healing time for your mind and your body.

Get a professional clean and check every six months

Early management and prevention is the best medicine. The average person requires a thorough scale and hygiene clean appointment at least every six months.

I have been a Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist for over twenty years and I know how busy we all get! So don’t wait until you’re in desperate need, stop the problem before it becomes problematic.

Never feel bad about what we will find in your mouth; we are genuinely here to help you and you can rest assured that nobody cleans their teeth and gums 100% perfectly 100% of the time!

Dental Hygienists are specialised at removing hardened plaque and stains. We have a variety of suggestions and helpful techniques that can make your self-care easier and more effective.

Removing hard build-up and treating bleeding gums is of utmost importance, especially when it is between your teeth or below the gum line, where it may be doing the greatest harm out of sight.

Make a time to come and see our highly trained and gentle hygiene team at Dental O So Gentle and ensure that you mouth is in tip-top shape. Thank you for taking the time today to learn more about this very important topic. If you have any questions I’m happy to share more information and advice. Just call or make an appointment.

Here’s to a happy and healthy new year and new you!

By Carmen Jones, Hygienist