Dry Mouth Is Hard on Your Teeth
If you’re dealing with dry mouth, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey by the Sjögren’s Foundation, about 73 percent of respondents said dry mouth had a moderate to major impact on their lives. While dry mouth can make it harder to eat, swallow, or talk, it can also significantly affect your dental health. People who have Sjögren’s disease are more likely to have issues with cavities and losing their teeth. That’s why you must take a proactive approach to caring for your gums and teeth.
Why You Have a Higher Risk of Dental Problems
The reduction in saliva in your mouth isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s likely contributing to poor dental health. People with Sjögren’s disease have a higher risk of developing cavities, plaque accumulation, gingivitis, periodontitis, oral lesions, and oral infections like candidiasis.
Doctors have suggested that this increased risk is likely associated with low saliva levels in the mouth. Generally, saliva plays a vital role in maintaining good dental health. It can reduce the formation of harmful microorganisms, dilute foods that would affect the mouth’s pH, remove sugars and other components that can cause cavities, and balance the remineralization of your teeth. If there’s an issue with producing saliva, it would make sense that your dental health wouldn’t be at its best. However, some researchers suggest that it’s not just the presence of saliva that matters. Healthy saliva also needs to contain specific organic and inorganic substances to function effectively.
According to one paper, Sjögren’s may alter the protein profile of your saliva, thereby changing its composition. When the saliva of people with the condition was assessed, researchers found an increase in the levels of lactoferrin, beta(2)-microglobulin, sodium, lysozyme C, and cystatin C, and a decrease in salivary amylase and carbonic anhydrase. While lactoferrin and lysozyme C are usually useful for their antimicrobial properties, elevated levels may indicate a serious infection.