Breaking teeth at gumline

[Guest guest]

Dear Claude,.

I saw my dentist this week, in fact several times a month, because I am

having extensive dental work. He said he has a letter to dictate to his

secretary so I can post it to the group. He explained that we take drugs that

cause dry mouth. Since the saliva has bacteria fighting properties and your

teeth have virtually no resistance, a ring forms about the baseline, where there

is no enamel and like a beaver, eats all around and then the tooth breaks off

right at the gumline. I have my teeth cleaned and inspected every 6 months and

again, they found several more cavities. Biotene products are helpful, like the

toothpaste and mouthwash, flossing and using a Water Pik are all important if

you want to save your teeth. On any given day, the

average healthy adult produces about 3 pints of saliva. This secretion serves

many purposes. Saliva helps prevent tooth decay. It washes away food and plaque

from your teeth. Minerals found in saliva help repair early tooth decay. Saliva

also limits bacterial growth that can dissolve tooth enamel or lead to mouth

infections. And saliva neutralizes damaging acids in your mouth. Saliva enhances

your ability to taste your food and makes it easier to swallow. In addition,

enzymes in saliva aid in digestion.

As you get older, your salivary glands may secrete less saliva. Thirst and

your perception of thirst also may change. Thirst receptors in your brain become

less responsive to your body's need for fluids. But xerostomia is more often

related to the medications taken by older adults rather than to the effects of

aging.

Hundreds of medications, including some over-the-counter drugs, produce dry

mouth as a side effect. Among the more likely types to cause problems are some

of the drugs used to treat depression and anxiety, antihistamines, high blood

pressure medications, anti-diarrheals, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary

incontinence, and Parkinson's disease medications. Among the other causes of dry

mouth are:

a.. Cancer therapy. Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature of saliva and the

amount produced. Radiation treatments to your head and neck can damage salivary

glands, causing a marked decrease in saliva production.

b.. Nerve damage. An injury or surgery that causes nerve damage to your head

and neck area also can result in xerostomia.

c.. Other health conditions. Dry mouth can be a consequence of certain health

conditions — or their treatments — including the autoimmune disease Sjogren's

syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, anxiety disorders and

depression.

In addition, smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production,

aggravating dry mouth. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open also can

contribute to the problem.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-mouth/HA00034/DSECTION=3

http://www.medicinenet.com/dry_mouth/article.htm

Here's to you smile,

Lottie