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Saliva … Your Body’s Natural Anti-Bacterial Befense

Saliva is composed of about 98 percent water along with electrolytes (including sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphate), mucus, enzymes and antibacterial compounds. Saliva is the body’s way of cleansing by washing away food debris and bacteria while eating. It provides a buffering effect, by way of its enzymes, to aid in chewing, swallowing and digestion. This buffering also promotes a balanced pH environment that protects against infections in the mouth, as well as a highly acidic environment, which can lead to cavities.

Saliva also serves to lubricate or moisturize the tissues, much in the same way we moisturize our skin. Saliva coats the soft tissues of the mouth and aids in the protection and reparative process of the tissues, as well as speech. The calcium and phosphate found in saliva actually act as the body’s own protection against cavities. These two components of saliva particularly aid in remineralizing (rebuilding) the enamel, making it strong and more resistant to decay. Research has also shown that a rich salivary flow can be beneficial in reducing the risks of fungal and viral infections in the mouth

The Two Most Common Conditions Associated With Dry Mouth:

Cancer Treatment
Sadly, dry mouth associated with cancer treatment is commonly mistreated or completely ignored. With the proper team approach to their treatment, involving the oncologist, dentist and dental hygienist, dry mouth is manageable and can preserve and protect the oral tissues and restore oral comfort. While reducing discomfort is a great satisfaction, equally important is the need to maintain adequate nutrition.

A serious complication of oral cancer therapy is oral mucositis, inflammation of the tissues in the mouth. It appears as redness to extremely ulcerated tissues, and can cause severe oral discomfort. Management of oral mucositis must be given immediate and careful attention by your dentist.

Resource for support: www.oralcancerfoundation.org

Sjogren’s (show-grins) syndrome
This is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders in the United States, yet it is widely unknown and commonly undiagnosed or left untreated. This syndrome is the result of the white blood cells attacking moisture-producing glands (including tear producing and salivary glands). Therefore, these individuals will experience severe dry eyes and dry mouth. Early detection and a team approach to the management of these symptoms can dramatically improve the quality of life for these people.

Resource for support: www.sjogrens.org

Managing Dry Mouth

• Keep body and tissues hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine (dehydrating effect).
• Maintain regular visits to your dentist and dental hygienist for professional guidance and cleaning (many times it is recommended to be seen at shorter intervals between visits).
• Maintain meticulous oral hygiene by brushing after meals, flossing and tongue cleaning.
• Avoid harsh oral care products that can irritate or burn tissues.
• Avoid alcohol-based mouthrinses (dehydrating effect).
• Avoid foods that tend to easily stick to the teeth (choose hard crunchy fruits and vegetables that have a natural cleansing ability).
• Avoid high sodium (dehydrate) and spicy foods (irritate or burn).
• Avoid sugary foods and drinks that can increase the risk of cavities.
• Concentrate on breathing through the nose and not the mouth.
• Suck on sugarless hard candy or chew sugarless gum to help stimulate salivary flow.
• Protect teeth with home care products that contain fluoride and/or xylitol.
• Add moisture to the room at bedtime with a humidifier.

Facts About Dry Mouth

• According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is estimated that up to 10 percent of the general population experiences persistent oral dryness.
• Over 25 percent of elderly patients complain of daily dry mouth symptoms.
• As many as 25 million individuals in the United States may experience dry mouth as a result of medication use.
• Dry mouth can be caused by over 400 different types of medication.
• 50 percent of U.S. adults take at least one prescription medication during a given week (the numbers are higher for adults over 65).
• In describing the dental hygienists’ role and management of xerostomia, “The dental hygienist should advise the patient to use oral care products that have been specifically formulated for a dry mouth; that is, without alcohol, using only mild detergents and flavorings, having a neutral or alkaline pH, containing no sugar and with added lubricants. Products containing xylitol as a sweetening agent should be encouraged.”

Xerostomia: Recognition and Management
Philip C. Fox, DDS, FDS, RCSEd
Access – Supplementary Issue, Feb 2008

Oxyfresh Provides Relief For Dry Mouth Sufferers

Toothpastes (Original, Fluoride, Power Paste formulas) – Gentle, low-abrasion pastes all formulated with the proprietary odor-fighting ingredient Oxygene®; no saccharin; no dyes; options with or without fluoride and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS); xylitol and naturally flavored with essential oils.

Non-Fluoride Toothpaste – Low-abrasion; freshens breath using Oxygene®; saccharin-free; peppermint oil.
Power Paste – SLS-free; low-abrasion; freshens breath using Oxygene®; zinc acetate for maximum breath protection; contains xylitol.
Fluoride Toothpaste with Natural Mint – Low-abrasion; saccharin-free; peppermint oil; freshens breath using Oxygene®; zinc acetate for maximum breath protection; cavity-fighting.

Tongue Cleaner (Oolitt®, Oolitt® Elite) – Aids in thoroughly removing bacteria, residue and debris from the surface of the tongue.

Oolitt Elite® – Patented; single-handed use; dual-action band to double the effectiveness.
Oolitt® Tongue Scraper – Most powerful and effective way to loosen and remove bacteria from your tongue.

Mouthrinse (Unflavored, Fresh Mint, Fluoride, Patented Zinc, Power Rinse) – Alcohol-free; dye free; neutral pH range; proprietary odor-fighting ingredient Oxygene®; cavity-fighting options; naturally flavored with essential oils; contains xylitol. Option to soothe with aloe vera and lemon oils in Power Rinse helps to stimulate salivary flow.

Fluoride Mouthrinse – Cavity-fighting; neutral sodium fluoride; essential peppermint oil and xylitol.
Unflavored Mouthrinse – Uniquely unflavored.
Fresh Mint Mouthrinse – Essential peppermint oil and xylitol.
Patented Zinc Mouthrinse – Patented formula with zinc acetate for maximum breath control; peppermint oil and xylitol.
Power Rinse Mouthrinse – Lemon-mint flavor; unique blend of essential oils; zinc acetate for maximum breath control; aloe and xylitol.

OxyCare™ 3000 – Plaque-removing instrument using patented hydromagnetic technology to provide advanced cleaning action with pulsing water that is gentle, yet effective in flushing out bacteria and food debris along the gumline and in between the teeth. Used with the mouthrinse and warm water, this device can provide soothing moisture and ultimate fresh breath.

OxyCare™ 3000 – Conditions and tones your gum tissues, and delivers a clean unavailable from any store-bought irrigator.

Dental Gel (Fluoride, Super Relief formulas) – These gels are one-of-a-kind in soft-tissue soothing, deodorizing and cleaning. They both contain aloe vera, chamomile, essential oils and xylitol. They provide moisture and stimulate salivary flow, as well as relief for oral wounds, sores or abrasions. Fluoride provides cavity-fighting protection and the Super Relief formula provides the nutrients folic acid and zinc, which aid in soft-tissue support.

Super Relief Gel – Formulated with aloe vera and chamomile to help condition, soothe and deodorize oral wounds, abrasions and irrigated gums.
Fluoride Dental Gel – Cavity-fighting; neutral sodium fluoride; essential spearmint oil and xylitol.

Breath Mints (with xylitol) – These sugar-free mints are a great way to stimulate salivary flow throughout the day, while providing the benefits of xylitol.

Breath Mints – Cavity-fighting; neutral sodium fluoride; essential spearmint oil and xylitol.

Breath Spray – This Breath Spray is Oxyfresh’s Power Rinse formula packaged in a convenient, non-aerosol, refillable stick. A quick spritz provides moisture for the oral tissues and freshens the breath while on the go.

Breath Spray – Cavity-fighting; neutral sodium fluoride; essential spearmint oil and xylitol.