Dry mouth and its causes; It occurs due to the decrease in the secretion functions of the salivary glands or similar reasons.

Symptoms of dry mouth and the problems it causes

• Bad breath
• Burning sensation in the tongue
• Difficulty eating and swallowing dry foods
• Difficulty speaking
• Frequent thirst
• Difficulty in using removable prostheses
• Dry lips and cracks at the corners of the lips
• Decreased sense of taste
• Increase and acceleration of caries formation

Causes of Dry Mouth

• Side effects of some drugs used, dry mouth is one of the main reasons.
• Some systemic diseases
• Diseases or surgical removal of the salivary glands
• Head and neck radiotherapy
• Caffeine (excessive coffee and cola consumption)
• Alcohol (causes drying of the oral environment and reduces saliva secretion)
• Mouth breathing

Preventing Dry Mouth

• If it occurs as a side effect of a medication used, changing the medication
• Using Vitamin C
• Frequently wet the mouth and increase the intake of watery foods
• Not drinking citrus juice and tomato juice
• Chewing sugarless gum
• Avoiding foods high in sugar
• Not smoking or drinking alcohol
• Not using oral and dental care products that contain alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate in their composition.
• If possible, humidify the environment we live in.
• Avoid sleeping on your back

Function of Saliva

• Saliva contains enzymes necessary for digestion.
• Saliva contains a high amount of oxygen. Oxygen is necessary for the tissues in the mouth to be able to sustain less. (A decrease in saliva secretion means that there is less oxygen in the mouth. Low oxygen also allows many anaerobic bacteria that cause tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath to easily reproduce.)
• Minerals such as phosphorus and calcium found in the structure of saliva are substances that prevent the formation of caries. These minerals perform this function by initiating the remineralization process in the decay foci formed on the teeth.
• Saliva provides the necessary environment for the oral environment to clean itself.
• Saliva neutralizes the acidic environment caused by bacteria, stabilizing the pH of the mouth and thus preventing tooth decay.
• Some proteins found in the structure of saliva suppress bacterial growth and stop the formation of cavities.