Tag: dry mouth

Fact: saliva

Saliva has many functions, including the one that helps digestion, and has also a role in disinfection. Saliva is a liquid that moistens foods when ingested by the mouth, making them softer to swallow. Moreover saliva is a natural cleanser of the mouth that removes food debris and disinfects teeth and gums. It does not of course replace brushing and flossing.

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Reducing the effects of dry mouth

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can be caused by many things, including drugs, bad habits and medical conditions. If your doctor knows what exactly is causing your mouth to be dry, he or she may modify the drugs that you are taking, or prescribe you new drugs that stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth.

There are other tips to use at home to help you decrease the sensation or oral dryness:

  • If you are a smoker, do not smoke.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Avoid eating spicy, salty or very acidic foods.
  • Decrease drinking alcoholic beverages, as alcohol tends to dry your mouth even more.
  • Avoid caffeine-containing drinks and foods, as caffeine also dries your mouth more.
  • Chew your food slowly and thoroughly, and sip water with it before swallowing.
  • You may have salivary substitutes or a mouth-gel to lubricate the inside of your mouth and make it feel less dry.

Complete article: How Can You Reduce the Effects of Dry Mouth?
Source: Dry Mouth
In French: Réduire les effets de la bouche sèche

Problems of dry mouth

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a state where there is a lack of saliva flow in your mouth. Dry mouth has many causes, and it’s sometimes possible to treat it or at least make it more comfortable. Saliva is important to keep your mouth moist and your teeth clean. It neutralizes acids produced by dental plaque and gets rid of dead cells that accumulate on the gums, cheeks and tongue. Saliva also prevents infection by reducing the number of bacteria and fungi in your mouth. And when it comes to nutrition, saliva helps to digest food by making it soft.

There are a few problems that may arise from dry mouth:

  • The risk of having gum disease increases with dry mouth.
  • The risk of tooth decay also increases because saliva limits bacteria growth and does a partial cleaning of food debris and dental plaque.
  • Saliva improves the ability to taste and swallow foods. Moreover, enzymes contained in saliva help to digest these foods. Xerostomia therefore compromises eating because it reduces the ability to appreciate foods and to digest them.
  • Dry mouth can also make it difficult to dentures and partials because contact on dry gums is difficult, and can also be painful.

Complete article: Can Dry Mouth be Harmful?
Source: Dry Mouth
In French: Problèmes de la bouche sèche

What can a patient with cancer do about dry mouth?

One of the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatment is xerostomia (dry mouth). It’s an unpleasant sensation caused by a reduced production of saliva in the mouth. This condition can increase the risk of developing tooth decay and can also cause a burning or painful feeling on the tongue and all around the mouth.

If you have cancer, you should clean your teeth and mouth at least four times a day, and floss at least once a day. If there are areas in your gums that are bleeding or that are sore, floss gently around them.

You also need to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride, in order to give a higher protection to your teeth against cavities. You can rinse your mouth with a solution of baking soda and salt in warm water several times a day, and this followed by rinsing with water alone. Other commercial mouthwashes may also be used to rinse your mouth, but as long as they don’t contain alcohol.

Full article: Cancer Treatments and Oral Health
In French: Que faire si on est atteint du cancer et on souffre de bouche sèche?

Can cancer treatment affect your mouth?

Yes it can.

A patient who is diagnosed with cancer in any area of the body might need to go through radiation treatments and chemotherapy. These cancer treatments can affect your mouth causing many side effects:

  • Xerostomia or dry mouth, which follows a reduced production of saliva.
  • Pain or burning feeling in the mouth, tongue and gums which might follow a low amount of saliva in the mouth.
  • Cavities because of the low amount of saliva.
  • Jaw stiffness.
  • Problems with eating, speaking, and swallowing.
  • Decreased ability to taste foods.
  • Periodontal disease.
  • Weakened immune system in general.

If you have to go through a cancer treatment, it is important to consult your dentist to make sure your teeth and mouth stay healthy.

Full article: Cancer Treatments and Oral Health
In French: Est-ce que les traitements du cancer peuvent affecter la bouche?