You probably don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about spit, or saliva. Unless, that is, you have experienced dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, or excessive saliva production. Although most people don’t really notice or think about it unless something goes wrong, saliva is critical for digestion and helps maintain oral health. That’s why it’s important to notice changes in your saliva and share those changes with your dentist, just in case intervention is necessary. Read on to learn more about this important part of our oral health!
Too Much Spit
Although not a very common problem, excess production of saliva can be challenging if it’s chronic and won’t go away on its own. Sometimes, it can be caused by a certain medication. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking that could be causing this side effect if you think that may be the culprit. In many cases, doctors can switch medications for another that is just as effective without the unwanted side effects. Remember that everyone reacts differently to different medications.
Not Enough Spit
A very common side effect of many medications is dry mouth, or xerostomia. It can also occur due to stress, anxiety, dehydration and many other common medical conditions. It may just seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can actually cause harm to your mouth. Saliva plays an important role in helping the mouth rinse bad bacteria and food particles out after meals and throughout the day. Without it, teeth are more susceptible to cavities and infections. Dry mouth can also cause trouble chewing, cracked and dry lips, mouth sores, and tooth decay.
Cool Facts About Spit
Want to know something crazy, and maybe even gross, about spit? The average person’s body produces up to 1.5 liters of saliva a day. That’s enough to fill a bathtub about 53 times if you add up all the saliva you produce in a lifetime!
For more fun facts about saliva, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norman and her team, call our office today at 425-320-0729.
