It is always a good idea to treat dry mouth. This condition may seem like nothing more than an annoying problem that you are dealing with, but it is more common for individuals to face health complications than you may believe. the condition is one that leads to a variety of dental and digestive problems if it is severe, chronic or untreated for a length of time. the good news is that there are ways to treat dry mouth and most of the time, the treatment options are fast and efficient.
The following are some of the health complications associated with dry mouth that is left untreated. if you do not treat dry mouth properly, you could experience these conditions, especially if the condition is left untreated for any length of time.
- the saliva that is not being produced by your glands aids in digestion, including the process of chewing and swallowing food. if you do not do this properly, you could face digestion problems over time.
- Saliva also protects the teeth. it works by washing away and diluting debris from food, sugars and acids that are produced by bacteria. Without this type of protection, your teeth could break down quickly.
- Saliva also helps to reduce your pH levels in the mouth. if your mouth is not producing saliva, the pH levels in your mouth will rise, which increases your risk of developing gum disease, oral infections and tooth decay.
There is also the factor of dryness to consider. if you do not treat dry mouth, you are likely to experience drying of the skin and tissues within the mouth, the lips and the throat, which leads to additional problems. For example, if you use dentures, the dryness can lead to the dentures becoming loose. you could face problems speaking and a reduction in taste. Swallowing and chewing become difficult, if not impossible to manage.
All of these conditions are reduced if you treat dry mouth properly and before it becomes a constant problem. Many people will see significant improvements in their dental and overall healthy by treating this condition with improved hygiene. if your dry mouth symptoms are caused by an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, getting treatment for that condition will improve your symptoms. if left untreated, the circumstances are likely to be worse than what they are now.