KissMeGoodnight
eRomance Series:
I Want White Teeth and a
Natural, Healthy Looking Smile
(someone please tell me the secret already...)
( 21 pages )
How
Teeth Become Discolored
Dry
mouth
Sounds
like such an innocuous little phrase, doesn’t it? Thought
to be one of the leading causes of dental disease, dry mouth
occurs when saliva production is reduced and carries its
own nasty little package of problems.
The
medical term for dry mouth is “xerostomia” (pronounced ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah).
Saliva performs vital work in your body. It aids in digestion
by using the enzymes to help break up different foods and
also makes it easier to talk.
Saliva
helps prevent tooth decay by rinsing away food particles
from between the teeth as well as the gums. Saliva also helps
you taste the food you eat and makes it easier for you to
swallow that food and is also known for neutralizing any
damaging acids.
It
is believed to be caused primarily by certain medications
which we listed in the previously. The symptoms of dry mouth
can include:
- Dry,
rough tongue
- Poor
sense of taste
- Burning
sensation in your mouth
- Increased
plaque
- Reduced
saliva production
Alzheimer’s
disease, AIDS and stroke are also attributed to causing dry
mouth as well as pregnancy and/or hormonal changes due to
menopause.
Increasing
fluid intake can help to re-hydrate the mouth. It’s important
to keep it moist so you don’t lose all the benefits provided
by saliva production.
Gum
disease/Gingivitus
This
is inflammation of soft tissue surrounding the teeth. This
condition is much more serious than a single abscess. Gingivitis
is the precursor to periodontitis which is the final step
of gum disease that can ultimately lead to tooth loss. This
will be discussed in depth a bit further on.
Impacted
tooth
An
impacted tooth is one that rebelliously will not erupt into
its proper position and most often results in infection,
which we know is another cause of bad breath and ultimately
can result in loss of the tooth.
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