St. Paul Family Dentist Explains Connection Between Dry Mouth and Periodontal Disease

Written by Drs. Mark and Rachel Malterud on Mar 10, 2015

Prescription Medications and Dry Mouth

There are record numbers of people taking prescription medications for conditions such as high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, weight loss, Parkinson’s disease, pain and many others. The one side effect these medications have in common is dry mouth. At the St. Paul Family Dentist office we understand that dry mouth is not just a nuisance, and that the symptoms of dry mouth can cause significant problems with oral hygiene.

Saliva is the body’s natural cleansing mouth rinse because it contains compounds that effectively kill bacteria in the mouth. Its presence is beneficial and necessary because it washes away bacteria that accumulate as well as well as the food and debris on which the bacteria feed. Without a diligent oral hygiene routine the conditions for bacterial growth (and associated periodontal disease) are enhanced by dry mouth since the absence of sufficient amounts of saliva reduce the body’s natural ability to neutralize bacterial waste.

Periodontal Disease and Bad Breath

Everyone experiences bad breath periodically, but millions of people suffer from chronic halitosis, and for the majority of people it originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused by bacteria in the mouth, the decay of food particles, other debris in your mouth and improper oral hygiene.

The only way to eliminate bad breath is to find the cause. The first place to start is with a diligent routine of proper oral hygiene to get rid of hidden bacteria multiplying between your teeth. It’s also important to remember that those bacteria are also a breeding ground for infection and periodontal disease.

Whether you suffer from chronic dry mouth or bad breath, the solution starts with a visit to our St. Paul Family Dentist office. Periodontal disease, like most oral health concerns, is best treated as soon as possible to avoid more costly treatment in the future as well as protecting your general overall health.