Ways Dry Mouth Increases Your Likelihood of Getting Cavities
Tooth decay is damage to the outermost area of a tooth. Decay develops when bacteria that form plaque deteriorates the enamel and makes holes. At Made Ya Smile Rayford, TX, our staff can offer a dental exam to find out what results in tooth decay, like dry mouth (xerostomia). Tooth decay is a common problem for Spring, TX patients. However, addressing them promptly with personalized fillings allows them to be reconstructed without calling for a tooth removal and replacement, like a crown or dental implant.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth forms when the salivary glands don’t make enough saliva to ensure the mouth remains lubricated. Saliva can ward off cavities as it offsets bile created by bacteria, which clears away food particles. It also helps you to swallow food. When not addressed, xerostomia puts you at risk for oral concerns, such as cavities, gum disease, and missing teeth.
Indications of oral dryness
If your mouth isn't secreting a substantial amount of saliva, you will notice a sticky feeling in your mouth. You may have halitosis as well. Many people even notice they are having difficulties chewing, speaking, or swallowing. For more dire cases, you might be bothered by a dry or ribbed tongue or hoarseness. When you’re noticing any indications of dry mouth, get in touch with our Spring, TX team at your earliest convenience.
What causes dry mouth?
Xerostomia can be brought on by lifestyle habits, changes with the body, or health issues like:
- Aging
- Asthma
- Different kinds of prescription medications (such as antihistamines)
- Hormonal changes
- Dehydration
- Smoking cigarettes
- Diabetes mellitus
- Auto-immune disorders
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Alcohol
At your dental assessment at Made Ya Smile Rayford, TX, we will work to figure out if you have tooth decay brought on by dry mouth.
Cavity treatments
Once you're diagnosed with dry mouth tooth decay, you will require a filling. At Made Ya Smile Rayford, TX, our team utilizes tooth-colored fillings to fix your oral health issue. To start off, we dull the target area using local anesthetic. After this, we clean out the decaying tooth enamel. As soon as the decay is removed and the tooth is disinfected, we use a composite resin substance to fill the tooth.
Find out more on how dry mouth could influence your dental wellness
The ideal method to address tooth decay is prevention. It’s critical to arrange an appointment at Made Ya Smile Rayford, TX as soon as you observe changes with your teeth or gum tissues. Though cavities are common, it’s important to take care of them as soon as possible before the entire tooth is harmed further. Our Spring, TX team performs dental fillings for people of any age group. If you suspect that you have a cavity resulting from dry mouth, call our Spring, TX office to schedule an exam.