Dental Implants and Dry Mouth

If you have a dry mouth, you know what a disruption it can be to your everyday comfort. A dry mouth may make it hard to swallow, eat and even speak. But did you know that saliva plays a critical role in your oral health too? It is needed to rinse away food debris and bacteria as well as neutralize acids in your mouth after you eat and drink. Patients with dry mouth, also called xerostomia, are subject to a number of dental health problems, ranging from bad breath to recurrent decay.

Not all patients are able to get rid of their dry mouth, as it can be a consequence of the natural aging process or a specific medication they are taking. This can make it especially frustrating (and costly) to deal with recurrent decay, especially when it develops under existing crowns and bridge work. The decay and damage can get so bad underneath the dental restoration that an extraction is necessary. This leads such patients to opt for dental implants.

A Permanent Solution

By choosing dental implants to anchor your crown, bridge or denture, you can feel confident that decay will be kept at bay, despite the severity of your dry mouth. Dental implants are resistant to the recurrent decay that occurs with a dry mouth. It may still pose a threat to other areas in your mouth, but your dentist can work with you to find a treatment plan to reduce the effects of xerostomia. You may be able to use a special mouthwash or change certain lifestyle habits to boost your saliva production.

For more information about how dental implants can hold up better in a dry mouth, call Dr. Wayne Suway in Marietta. We are experts at restoring smiles!