XEROSTOMIA??
Xerostomia...Big word. In short, Xerostomia is the reduction or lack of saliva. This condition can happen due to disease, radiation, or be medication induced. Our seniors are on many of the medications that cause the lack of production of saliva. Saliva is your natural cleansing system in the mouth. Without adequate saliva, the oral cavity is highly susceptible to caries ("cavities"). The oral environment becomes more acidic and that acid eats away at the enamel ("outer protective layer of tooth"). If you add sugar, sweets, mints, even fruit juice (acidic and contains sugar) to this susceptible environment, it is a recipe to rapid decay. This is why we need to check our homebound elderly and educate them and/or their caregivers on the simple steps of prevention. One of these simple steps being Biotene Mouthwash that stimulates saliva and has fluoride to strengthen the enamel of the teeth.
Many elders carry around mints to suck on when their mouths are dry. It is the worst thing they can do. Biotene and drinking water are the best ways to get rid of dry mouth for people of all ages.
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