Dry Mouth: Causes and Its Effect on Decay Risk
When saliva falls, the tooth's capacity to repair itself falls with it.
What saliva does for the teeth
Saliva first works mechanically, washing away debris and bacterial products. Second it works chemically: bicarbonate neutralises the acid formed after sugar. Third, and least known, it repairs — saliva is saturated with calcium and phosphate, so mineral dissolved during an acid attack is returned afterwards. Less saliva weakens the gain side of that daily balance.
The main causes of dry mouth
- Antidepressants and some psychiatric medicines
- Antihistamines and cold remedies
- Blood pressure medicines, especially diuretics
- Certain bladder and stomach medicines
- Conditions affecting the salivary glands, such as Sjogren syndrome
- Radiotherapy to the head and neck
- Mouth breathing, dehydration and uncontrolled diabetes
What changes in a dry mouth, and what helps
In a dry mouth decay not only increases but moves: exposed root surface is softer than enamel and dissolves at a milder acid level, so root caries comes to the fore. Fungal infection, burning sensation, altered taste and poor denture retention are also common. Management works on two fronts: stimulating saliva with frequent sips of water, sugar-free xylitol gum and less caffeine and alcohol; and strengthening the tooth with high-fluoride paste, fluoride varnish, alcohol-free rinses and more frequent checks. A causative medicine should be reviewed with the prescribing doctor, not simply stopped.
Getting Here, Booking and Emergencies from Baraj
Route, booking and emergency arrangements for patients from Baraj.
Getting here from Baraj
Baraj lies in the Kepez district of Antalya; Kepez is one of the central districts, about 6 kilometres from the clinic. We also see patients from neighbouring areas that share the route from Baraj, such as Başköy, Duraliler, Fevzi Çakmak, Güneş. You can ask for the location on WhatsApp when travelling from Baraj.
Appointments for Baraj
At this distance, splitting treatment into visits is no problem for patients from Baraj, and attending reviews is easy too. As with patients from Kepez generally, appointments for families from Baraj can be scheduled consecutively.
Emergencies from Baraj
Setting out from Baraj at night is quick; come without delay in an emergency, and calling as you leave means preparation is done in advance. For patients coming from Dental Clinic in Baraj, the clinic is open 24/7 and in an emergency the order is set by severity rather than arrival time. For spreading facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or toothache with fever, go to the nearest emergency department.
The First Weeks with a New Denture: What Is Normal
A new denture is a volume and surface the mouth is not used to. Most of the discomfort in the first days is part of adaptation — but not all of it. Knowing which is expected and which needs correcting makes this period easier.
Expected, and passing
These are ordinary parts of adaptation:
- Increased saliva — the glands respond to the new surface and settle within days
- Temporary changes to some sounds; reading aloud speeds up adaptation
- A sense of bulk and the tongue constantly seeking the denture
- Chewing being slow and careful in the first days
Not expected, and needing correction
Sharp pain at a particular point, pressure areas causing sores, the denture dropping while speaking or smiling, and tipping to one side while chewing are not adaptation but situations needing adjustment. A short reduction solves them. Enduring them is wrong: continuously irritated tissue changes shape over time and makes the next denture harder to fit.
Relearning to chew
Chewing with natural teeth is one-sided and quick; with a denture it needs to be spread evenly across both sides and slower, because loading one side lifts the other. Starting with soft food and progressing gradually builds both fit and confidence. Cutting food into small pieces rather than biting with the front teeth also helps.
