Saliva and Your Dental Health

Did you know that the fastest growing segment of the population in the United States is the group of 100 years and older and that the second fastest growing segment is those 90 and older? People are living longer! Excellent medical care, new medications and treatments contribute a great deal to a longer and more enjoyable life. But how do their mouths look at those higher ages?

The key to good dental health in our senior years is saliva. That wonderful fluid that starts digestion of the foods we eat, lubricates our teeth, gums and cheeks and dilutes the acids that cause tooth decay is just taken for granted until it is not there like it used to be.

Remember when you were little and you would wake up in the morning with your face and pillow soaked in your own saliva? When we are children, we have so much saliva that we are lucky not to drown in it! Fast forward to age 50 when you might start taking a glass of water to bed with you to get rid of that dry, gummy feeling in your mouth when you wake up at night. By age 65, nearly everyone wakes up with a mouth that feels parched and like a herd of cats slept in there overnight. Thanks to Mother Nature and the increasing number of medications we take, our saliva diminishes to nearly nothing in our senior years.

What is so important about saliva? Think about it. You are working away and you somehow cut your finger. What is the first thing you do? You stick it in your mouth. If your dog hurts is paw and it endlessly licks it. Mammals lick their wounds by instinct because saliva contains antibodies to help fight infection (remember the figure-of-speech, “Licking your wounds?”). In the case of our oral health, these antibodies help fight the bacteria that cause decay. Diminishing saliva = more decay.

According to the AARP, the average American over 75 is taking more than 11 medications that are prescribed to them for various reasons. Antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, diuretics, muscle relaxants, heart meds, pain pills and decongestants and many more cause dry mouth (clinically called xerostomia).  Sometimes your physician can prescribe an alternate medication, but most times it is one of those side effects that cannot be changed.

Decreased saliva flow means a dry mouth. But it also means the possibility of more cavities, more denture irritations and red and tender gums. From the dentists standpoint, it can be frustrating too. Fillings and crowns fail prematurely because decay destroys the good tooth around them and patients with dentures have a hard time getting comfortable because there is not enough saliva to lubricate the gums and create suction to hold them in place.

What can be done to improve this situation?

Until researchers finally develop a vaccine against the bacteria that cause cavities or a medication that causes saliva glands to produce more, there are only a few things we can do.

1. Stimulate the flow of saliva by chewing gum or sucking on sugarless mints that contain xylitol. These can be found at the grocery store or check out this web site, www.xlear.com for some great options.
2. Drink water all day and when you wake up at night. Water dilutes the acid environment that otherwise develops in a dry mouth. Plus, it also lubricates the oral tissues making them more comfortable.
3. Look for products like Biotene mouthwash, oral spray, mints and gum. These are very effective at stimulating your own saliva flow as well as making your mouth more comfortable by moisturizing the tissues and diluting acids.

The most important thing is to communicate with your dentist if you are having dry mouth problems. Treating these symptoms early can keep you more comfortable and hopefully help you keep your teeth healthy. In addition, you and your dentist can discuss your treatment options. If you are fighting that uphill battle and losing teeth or having fillings done over and over, perhaps dental implants and a denture would be better. They are not so reliant on saliva and do not get cavities. In the long run, it could be healthier and more economical than trying to save your own teeth.

Dentistry in our senior years is full of healthy options and good possibilities! Good dental health is key to proper nutrition as well as good physical health. It is important to stay educated, informed and advocate for yourself and your loved ones in dealing with health care professionals. It is your mouth and your body – take good care of both!

- Dr. Steve Wegner