How Cigarettes Suck the Saliva Out of Your Mouth?

If you’re a smoker, naturally, you’re very aware of the numerous health threats that come with smoking, for example, lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disorders. However, there’s another lesser-known consequence of smoking that can have a significant impact on your oral health: dry mouth, known in medical language as xerostomia.

The Role of Saliva in Oral Health

A dry mouth follows when the salivary gland is not secreting enough saliva to keep your mouth hydrated. Saliva is of great importance in maintaining oral health. It balances the production of acid from bacteria, wash away food particles, and eventually keep your mouth clean and fresh. Lack of saliva, bacteria proliferation inside your mouth, and dental problems appear.

Smoking’s Impact on Saliva Production

Thus, what leads to dry mouth while you smoke? Chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate saliva glands upon inhalation, reducing saliva production. Similarly, nicotine, a relatively powerful stimulant of tobacco, reduces the bloodstream to the salivary glands, resulting in decreased saliva production.

Recognizing Symptoms of Dry Mouth

The symptoms of dry mouth may be annoying and physically painful. You may also feel a dry, sticky sensation or a feeling of cotton in your mouth, which may affect your ability to swallow or speak. You may also encounter bad breath, dry, cracked lips, and, in some cases, an increased risk of oral infections, such as thrush.

Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

But the matter doesn’t end there. Lack of saliva may bring different warning signals, such as tooth decay. In the absence of sufficient saliva to neutralize acids and rinse off food debris in your mouth, you will be more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease. Actually, smokers have great chances of getting periodontal disease, which, if not treated in time, may lead to tooth loss.

Protecting Your Oral Health by Quitting Smoking

It is critical to implement protective measures for the health of your oral cavity if you smoke and feel dry in your mouth. Suppose you really want to protect your teeth. In that case, the best option is to quit smoking altogether, by which you will prevent saliva production from becoming impaired and, therefore, the risk of developing dental problems.

Managing Dry Mouth Symptoms Without Quitting

In the case where quitting smoking is not an immediate option, there are several strategies you can experiment with to mitigate the symptoms you are experiencing due to dry mouth. To begin, keep your mouth well hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This will help restore the amount of moisture inside your mouth. Sugar-free chewing gum and candies are an excellent alternative to chew on or suck, but this kind of relief is temporary. Humidifiers are another fantastic alternative that you can use in your environment to add moisture to the air.

Avoiding Dryness-Aggravating Substances

Moreover, beverages that can intensify dryness of the mouth, including caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, must not be consumed. If your condition is more complicated, prescription saliva replacement products or drugs to trigger more saliva secretion might be required. Your dentist may recommend these medications.

Visit a Dentist for Seeking Long-Term Solutions

To resolve long-term conditions like dry mouth, you should visit a dentist. New Smile Dental Clinic, just off Scott Road, offers a wealth of dental knowledge and expertise. Its friendly and experienced dentists are ready to personalize your treatment and guide you to a healthier and happier smile. Do not let smoking compromise your oral health; schedule an appointment with our Scott Road dentists today.