Millions of people suffer from some degree of dry mouth (xerostomia) on an occasional or chronic basis. Dry mouth often occurs as a side effect of specific illnesses, medications, or lifestyle choices. Regardless of the underlying cause, dry mouth results in a decrease or stoppage in saliva production, which can wreak havoc on the life of the person suffering from it. And dry mouth is not just a nuisance. When left untreated, dry mouth can result in an array of problems, such as difficulties eating, mouth sores, bad breath (halitosis), tooth decay, thrush (oral candidiasis), gingivitis, and severe gum disease (periodontitis).
Why Saliva is Key to Preventing Dry Mouth
Saliva is a vital component of good oral health, highly effective because it:
- Produces beneficial enzymes aiding in the digestion of food
- Contains a lubricating substance that helps stabilize the pH level and maintains acceptable acid levels in the mouth
- Provides high levels of oxygen to keep oral tissues healthy and fresh
- Helps in the remineralization of tooth enamel by providing calcium and phosphorous
- Enhances one's sense of smell and taste
- Contains antimicrobial compounds that aid in the prevention of plaque buildup, which can lead to gingivitis or periodontal disease
Saliva helps prevent tooth and gum disease, eliminates food debris in the mouth, kills viruses, and discourages anaerobic bacterial growth. Less saliva production can lead to a proliferation of bacteria and chronic or severe halitosis. Many oral health rinses contain drying agents such as alcohol. Instead of alleviating dry mouth symptoms, alcohol only exacerbates the problem. It's important to avoid anything that is a drying agent if you're already suffering from dry mouth symptoms.
Oxygenating mouthwashes, toothpastes, and oral rinses free of alcohol, sugar, and abrasive detergents are essential for good oral health. Most dry mouth solutions currently on the market focus solely on hydrating and adding lubrication, ignoring the root cause of dry mouth – inadequate healthy saliva. TheraBreath Dry Mouth Oral Rinse is a major breakthrough in the treatment of dry mouth. The rinse is highly effective at combatting dry mouth due to its special formula. The rinse contains natural ingredients including a moisturizer, salivary enzymes, and salivary stimulant. The proprietary salivary stimulant helps boost production of natural saliva, thereby providing a comforting, highly effective solution for dry mouth symptoms. TheraBreath dry mouth remedies are available online or at retailers nationwide including CVS and Walgreens.