Saliva has a number of other functions than keeping the mouth wet; it is acting as a lubricant while you hold a conversation, while chewing food, and as a lubricant while swallowing food. It protects your teeth from decay by keeping them in a protected condition. The plaque that is being formed on the surface is being continuously being washed away from the surface of the teeth by saliva. Any healthy individual produces about three to four pints of saliva in a day. Saliva acts as a natural disinfectant and prevents common infections from taking place in your mouth. Without saliva you will not get the nutrients required to help you digest the food required for your body.

Dry mouth has got nothing to do with aging, though due to aging less saliva is being produced by the body. Every healthy individual has to produce the minimum required amount of saliva. The dry mouth may due to some medications that you are taking to suppress some other symptoms. Dry mouth often results in tooth decay faster than an average person. Remember to brush your mouth regularly and avoid sweeteners in your food or tit bits that you consume. Make a dental appointment and consult your dentist about the status of your teeth. Smoking can decrease saliva production and should be considered when determining what causes your dry mouth. Chewing tobacco can also have the same effect. Therefore, decreasing or quitting smoking can reduce or eradicate dry mouth for some sufferers. Alcoholic beverages and products containing caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.) can also cause dry mouth through dehydration. Breathing through the mouth for prolonged periods (especially while sleeping) can exacerbate a problem with dry mouth.

Dry mouth or lack of saliva can cause various complications. Because swallowing becomes very difficult, sufferers may often ‘choke’ as food flows down the esophagus and may constantly need to drink water while eating. Because saliva aids in proper digestion, digestive disorders can arise as a result of chronic dry mouth. Eating dry foods becomes almost impossible. Since saliva controls the bacteria and fungi in your mouth, dry mouth can significantly increase chances of tooth decay and infection in mouth – leading to other complications. In some cases, dry mouth can also be a sign of serious health problems and diseases. Speaking to your doctor about dry mouth is always recommended. With the help of OraMd you can overcome dry mouth because it seeps down between gumline and tooth and does not allow the gums to dry out.