Dry Mouth Increases Risk of Tooth Decay

Saliva helps moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also slows down the growth of oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. When you don’t have enough or don’t make enough saliva, your mouth gets dry, a condition called xerostomia. Some medications and radiation treatment can decrease your salivary flow. You can keep your mouth lubricated by sipping on a small amount of water throughout the day or use Biotene products.