Dry Mouth is usually a side effect with people taking medications for various reasons.It is not necessarily a symptom of lyme disease but many peopple with lyme have dry mouths due to the meds that they take.Decongesants, antidepressants, cardiac meds,and up to 400 other meds , radiation therapy for cancer near the mouth or chemotherapy all decrease the flow of saliva( dry mouth). with a decrease in the saliva, the bacteria have a field day attacking the teeth and causing severe cavities, especially at the gum line.these root surface cavities are extremely hard to repair because they redecay very rapidly. IMPORTANT INFO: if you are taking anything that is drying your mouth, then you should be drinking lots of water,no sugar intake and flouride rinses a must. also artificial saliva is available and xylitol tart hard candies stimulate the saliva glands.also must brush after eating anything, it might have hidden sugars not obvious. the saliva ,even though filled with bacteria actually wash the bacteria from sticking to the teeth and causing decay. without saliva flow the teeth are extremely susceptible to decay and even gum disease. also increase the risk a yeast overgrowth in the mouth excellent wb site http://www.nohic.nidcr.nih.gov/pubs/drymouth/dmouth.htm Posted by docdave130 on :
back to top important info for lymies
Posted by JillF (Member # 5553) on :
You always have helpful info for us
Thanks, this was good to know!
Posted by Nancy-OH (Member # 3567) on :
This one is really interesting to me.
I'm 49 years old and have never had a cavity. However, at my last dentist visit they were surprised at the areas darkened on my teeth.
The dark areas were all cose to the gum line and I never noticed them myself.
I assume they were from all the abx.
Thanks for the info, Doc!
Posted by beachcomber (Member # 5320) on :
There is a toothpaste that is specifically for dry mouth. I believe it is called Biotene. Expensive but worth it.
Posted by docdave130 on :
my dry mouth comes from my antidepressant zoloft. almost all antidep cause anti cholenlergic response in the body which include dry mouth, dry tear ducts, low blood pressure, orthostatic hypertension.the company biotene makes many products for dry mouth, dry gums and tongue. the decrease in saliva also increases probabaly ten fold the chance of candida infection. listerine or act can use the alcohol in it and lower the yeast count also. remember to brush gums and tongue very important to prevent candida. artifical saliva and sugarless tart hard candies and some new gums are also made for the dry mouth
Posted by sofy (Member # 5721) on :
I dont agree with using the flouride. It has miles of documented health risks.
I think you can accomplish the same thing with candy, gum, toothpaste & mouth wash that use xylitol in them.
Xlear makes quite a few products that are not too hard to get ahold of.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Exocrine gland/hypothalamus involvement. Go to page 187 in the paperback "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by Balch, MD. Find "Maintaining a Healthy Glandular System". This book is usually avail. near prescription counters in drug stores (Walgreens, etc.)
What are your thoughts on sugar free gum?
Yes...our saliva is VERY important! It BEGINS the breakdown of our foods...carbs.
Listerine has been reformulated...still, it makes me "nervous". Into a search engine, type in these words: listerine cancer.
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Web MD just had this info. (talk about "timing"...when we need info., it appears!):
"Dry mouth can be avoided by drinking plenty of water or using over-the-counter toothpastes, mouthwashes, and chewing gums, such as Biotene, that are especially formulated to replace these protective enzymes."
Posted by docdave130 on :
marnie, webmd is wrong on there advice. you can not avoid dry mouth or xerostomia. your can only stop the effects it has on the teeth,gums, soft tissue and body. biotene does not have all the enzymes necessary for recovery of the saliva.it may have some but not enough to cause cervical tooth decay and periodontal disease. there is no treatment for dry mouth only paliative treatment. people that are getting cervical decay and run the risk of lossing there teeth, should take the risk of using fluoride rinses or gels but not swallow the solution but spit it out. topically fluoride is fairly safe and worth the risks. there is also a artificial saliva that has some of the enzymes in it also, and tends to stay in the mouth longer and stimulate the salivary glands the produre more saliva. that is also the purpose of chewing suger free gum and sugar free tart hard candies. they all stimulate the saliva glands to produce more saliva by making the body feel there is food in the mouth to digest. xylitol actual decreases the risk of decay so xylitol gums,mints and candies should be ok
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Dry mouth as a temporary condition...as when you get "nervous"...adrenaline rush...before giving a speech and get "cotton mouth" or dry mouth as an ongoing problem related to the hypothalamus.
Many now allow kids to chew gum during tests (nervous time) and even allow candy prior to supply enough glycogen for ATP energy needs.
Botox (botulism toxin) is used to treat drooling...to halt it.
It all stems from a Mg deficiency and a subseqent attempt by Ca to enter the cells...which has to be blocked.
The hypothalamus plays a huge role.
Posted by docdave130 on :
what you say is partially correct. however, dry mouth can be permanent in alot of cases do to :radiation therapy of the salivary glands, damage by mumps, damage by staph infections, large salivary gland stones, lupus, sarcoidosis, and sjorgen's syndrome.in all these cases the dry mouth or xerostomia is a permanent part of the disease and will not return. once the salivary glands, either submandibular,ligual or parotid glands are permanently damaged then there will be no saliva flowing from the glands. in some cases long term use of many meds causes irreversible xerostomia also. the salivary glands are temporarily slowed by antidepresants, anti-cholenergic drugs, mao inhibitors,lyme disease,anti histamines, and many many cardiac and hbp drugs. many people live with dry mouth there whole adult life, and must take precautions to protect there teeth from the devastating loss of saliva. Marnie i don't want to get in a fight with you over this but i have seem many patients over the years with permanent xerostomia and it is usually devestating to the teeth and sometimes the health of the individual. the saliva actually protects the teeth by washing the bacterial acids away from the teeth and down the esophagus. it also contains many normal flora bacteria and enzymes which are necessary for proper digestion of the food.
Posted by docdave130 on :
up for marnie
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Dave, respectfully, do you have any idea how many Americans are Mg deficient? Most of us. This, in the nutritional community, is well known. It is the basis for our increasing problems.
Why? Many things come into play. Pesticides, overworked soil to provide food for the masses. Food that is depleted in minerals.
Research pasturization. You will never drink milk again.
This disease seriously depletes this mineral. This is KNOWN. Documented.
A bad situation compounded.
It spirals out of control.
PLEASE, I beg you, read and study my documented Updated Nutshell post.
Posted by frenchbraid (Member # 4225) on :
I agree with sofy. Flouride is a no-no. Far too many health risks associated with it.
frenchbraid
------------------ Stay positive. Smile. People care.
Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :
Doc, my dentist gave me Oralbalance for my gums, and it seems to help. One of my gums is receeding due to "over-brushing." What do you recommend for this condition? Is bonding too drastic to reduce the sensititvity or will Crest Sensitivity suffice?
He also gave me Topex gel to apply at bedtime. I took Fluoride tabs until age 30, is using the Topex gel and/or Act overkill? I'd hate to increase the above mentioned risk factors by overdoing the Fluoride.
Thanks
[This message has been edited by Lymelighter (edited 16 June 2004).]
Posted by docdave130 on :
the fluoride is an overkill. if the desensitizing toothpaste works then just use that. the best way to use it is to put it on your finger and massage it onto the tooth, let it sit for 3 minutes then brush. this allows the toothpaste time to absorb into the root surface. brush using a soft brush in circular motions. bonding will work and is a painless procedure. a sealant is applied to the root surface but only lasts about 6 months.
Posted by Lymelighter (Member # 5310) on :
Cool, thanks Doc. Posted by troutscout (Member # 3121) on :
Folks....
This is a GOOD one.
Dave...I do see Marnie's connection to the hypothalamus...it is true.
AND.....she is correct in the statement that we are all deficient in Magnesium.
Kent
Posted by bethe (Member # 1758) on :
Please you people, You are getting valuable information in here because of DocDave. You need to really read what he says and have it sink into your head. Everything he is saying about dry mouth is correct. He has treated many, many, many patients with this. I have been a part of treating patients with this also in the dental office, and it's not from a Mg Deficiency. There are so many factors involved here, so re-read what he has said. You are getting free advise from an expert, and then you try and tell him something from right field. Respect and be comforted that someone is giving you right on information. Bethe
