Saliva plays a vital role in our oral health as well as our overall general sense of well being. It is nature's main way of protecting the hard and soft tissues of the mouth. It is a substance we take for granted until such time as one notes a sense of oral dryness. It is increasingly common in developed countries where an aging population is consuming multiple medications to promote health and longevity. Many such meds contribute to decreased saliva flow. A quick set of 5 questions can help with the diagnosis. A yes to at least one of these questions may be an indication that saliva flow is not what it should be.
1. Does your mouth usually feel dry?
2. Does your mouth feel dry when eating a meal?
3. Do you have difficulty swallowing dry foods?
4. Do you need to sip liquids in order to swallow dry foods?
5. Is the amount of saliva in your mouth inadequate most of the time.
If you feel that your mouth is uncomfortably dry, see us about the options to provide relief.
Dr. Brian
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