{"id":282,"date":"2021-03-08T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-08T13:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/?p=282"},"modified":"2025-07-02T20:39:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T20:39:13","slug":"dangerous-dry-mouth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/dangerous-dry-mouth\/","title":{"rendered":"This Can Happen When You Don\u2019t Have Enough Saliva"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/woman_with_chapped_lips__1617887419_94726-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"woman suffering from dry mouth\" class=\"wp-image-283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/woman_with_chapped_lips__1617887419_94726-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/woman_with_chapped_lips__1617887419_94726-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/woman_with_chapped_lips__1617887419_94726.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a smoker, chances are you\u2019ve been warned about the potential health hazards. After all, tobacco retailers are forced to place a warning label on their products. There is an additional, and often overlooked, side effect of using tobacco products: dry mouth. It can contribute to a host of oral health problems. As you continue reading, learn about the potential issues that could arise and what you can do to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">prevent<\/a> them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Problems with Dry Mouth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At any given time, there can be up to 20 billion bacteria living inside your mouth. However, when the mouth becomes dry, the number of microorganisms present can exponentially increase. That\u2019s because saliva helps to flush away bacteria to maintain an equilibrium in the mouth, which decreases the chances of experiencing tooth and gum decay \u2013 and even tooth loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some potentially fatal problems that tobacco usage and having a dry mouth can contribute to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Stroke<\/li><li>Diabetes<\/li><li>Oral cancer<\/li><li>Heart disease<\/li><li>Cardiac arrest<\/li><li>Pancreatic cancer<\/li><li>High blood pressure<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Can be Done?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s always important to practice excellent oral hygiene, but it\u2019s especially crucial if you\u2019re a tobacco user. At a minimum, you should be brushing and flossing two times a day to control bacteria growth. There is yet more you can do to achieve a measure of balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consider the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Increasing your water intake<\/li><li>Using a saline nasal spray two to three times a day<\/li><li>Chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production<\/li><li>Limiting your consumption of sugary foods and beverages<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself is to stop smoking or chewing tobacco. However, if that remains a struggle, implementing the above tactics can help to limit the negative side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How a Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Under normal circumstances, patients should visit a dentist every six months for cleanings and examinations. For tobacco users, it\u2019s probably best to visit more frequently \u2013 maybe every three months instead. The reality is that tobacco products constantly work to undermine your efforts. Therefore, it\u2019s best to stay on top of your oral health to prevent any serious issues from developing. By being more proactive and receiving some extra attention, you\u2019ll have a better chance of preserving all your teeth and protecting your gums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is another intangible that you can receive from maintaining regular visits: the extra encouragement to make positive changes in your oral and total wellness. To protect yourself, reach out to a local dentist today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dr. Wael M. Kassem earned his dental degree from Temple University. For over a decade, he has been offering high-quality care, using state-of-the-art equipment. As part of his commitment to excellence, Dr. Kassem has taken several hours of continuing education, which has contributed to him being named one of America\u2019s top dentists many years in a row. He treats patients at iSmile Dental Arts, and he can be reached for more information through his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re a smoker, chances are you\u2019ve been warned about the potential health hazards. After all, tobacco retailers are forced to place a warning label on their products. There is an additional, and often overlooked, side effect of using tobacco products: dry mouth. It can contribute to a host of oral health problems. As you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>This Can Happen When You Don\u2019t Have Enough Saliva<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If your saliva production decreases, it can become an oral health nightmare. 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