Maintaining a healthy smile has many elements! One element you might not think about very much is your saliva production, but let us be the first to tell you: saliva is important! Saliva is an imperative part of your oral hygiene because it cleanses your mouth routinely. Your saliva is what washes bacteria and food particles away after you eat, which protects you from decay. If you have dry mouth, there is nothing to was that bacteria away, and you are left at a much higher risk for tooth decay! To help you battle dry mouth this summer, we’ve put together a list of some easy ways to boost your saliva production!
1) Drink Water
There’s absolutely nothing better than drinking a glass of ice water on a hot day! That water hydrates your body and allows more saliva to be produced. Remember, water is different from soda. Soda will not hydrate your body!
2) Chew Sugar-free Gum and Candy
Saliva production is at it’s highest when you are chewing. Chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free candy, is a great way to boost your saliva production.
3) Sleep with a Humidifier
A cool-mist humidifier is a great addition to your bedroom if you suffer from dry mouth. This moist air will help moisten your mouth while you sleep!
4) Check Your Prescriptions
Prescription medication is known for causing dry mouth. If you are having trouble keeping your mouth hydrated, it might be time to discuss a switch of prescriptions with your doctor!
5) Schedule a Dental Appointment
If you can’t get the dry mouth under control using the techniques above, it is definitely time for an appointment! There may be a more serious underlying problem at hand!
Controlling dry mouth is essential for the health of your smile. Be intentional about keeping your saliva production up, and you will see an improvement in your oral health. Contact us today to set up an appointment. Bring us your questions about dry mouth and other ways to improve the health of your smile! We’d love to see you soon!
