Table of Contents
- 1 Why does saliva production in the mouth decrease demineralization?
- 2 How is radiation caries prevented?
- 3 What is the role of saliva in remineralization of teeth?
- 4 Why do I have no saliva?
- 5 What does radiation therapy do to your teeth?
- 6 What causes a decrease in salivary gland production?
- 7 Is it true that saliva secretion decreases with age?
Why does saliva production in the mouth decrease demineralization?
As the bacteria are washed away, proteins, vitamins, and minerals found within saliva are absorbed into the tooth surface. Saliva has the ability to buffer (neutralize) and clean acids produced by bacteria, preventing enamel demineralization.
What is the term for lack of saliva?
Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
How is radiation caries prevented?
Radiation caries has multifactorial etiology, but hyposalivation remains the primary cause. Therefore, radiation caries could be prevented by salivary gland sparing, or prevention is achieved with comprehensive dental care before, during, and after RT.
What is the cause for radiation caries?
Radiation caries can occur because of the inability of the saliva to destroy bacteria that causes tooth decay and its inability to remineralize the tooth enamel. The decrease in salivary flow and salivary pH also contribute to the process of tooth decay.
What is the role of saliva in remineralization of teeth?
Saliva can neutralize acids, form a protective membrane on tooth surfaces, and enhance remineralization by providing calcium, phosphate and fluoride to enamel and dentin.
What is the function of the saliva that affect caries formation please explain how it can prevent caries formation?
The ability of saliva to deliver fluoride to the tooth surface constantly makes salivary fluoride an important player in caries protection largely by promoting remineralization and reducing demineralization.
Why do I have no saliva?
A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth don’t produce enough saliva. This is often the result of dehydration, which means you don’t have enough fluid in your body to produce the saliva you need. It’s also common for your mouth to become dry if you’re feeling anxious or nervous.
How does radiation affect the mouth?
According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation causes many changes inside your mouth that make you more susceptible to tooth decay. Radiation damages your salivary glands and leads to xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, which has many additional effects other than making your mouth uncomfortably dry.
What does radiation therapy do to your teeth?
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.
Can saliva destroy teeth?
This weakens your teeth and can lead to decay over time. How does saliva help prevent decay? Saliva contains important elements such as bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate. They not only neutralize plaque acids, but also help repair early tooth damage and decay.
What causes a decrease in salivary gland production?
Sometimes these drugs do not directly affect saliva production but in the case of diuretics for example, the loss of fluid leads to a secondary reduction in saliva production. Chemotherapy can also affect the salivary glands and impair saliva production.
What are the symptoms of low saliva production?
Symptoms of Low Saliva Production. A dry mouth (xerostomia) is the most obvious symptom of hyposalivation. It is important to note that dry mouth is not always due to hyposalivation. Mouth breathing for example can lead to dryness of the mouth due to the airflow although the daily saliva production is within the normal range.
Is it true that saliva secretion decreases with age?
It is often assumed that salivary secretion reduces with age. About 25% of the elderly suffer from oral dryness and related complaints. Nevertheless, data on stimulated salivary flow rate in healthy elderly revealed no significant age-related decrease other than a slight decrease of the secretion fr …
Can a dry mouth be caused by hyposalivation?
Mouth breathing for example can lead to dryness of the mouth due to the airflow although the daily saliva production is within the normal range. There are several other symptoms that may also be present with hyposalivation. Some may not be as obvious as the mouth dryness and only arise after a period of time.