Unlocking the Power of Saliva: A Natural Protector Against Dry Mouth
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a surprisingly common condition affecting nearly 60% of adults to varying degrees. As a dental professional, I see firsthand how this seemingly simple issue can ignite a cascade of oral health challenges. Dry mouth isn't just an inconvenience—it’s a significant disruptor in the disease process.
One of the biggest culprits behind reduced salivary flow is prescription medication. It’s staggering to consider: nearly every medication on the market lists dry mouth as a side effect. Now, imagine the compounding effect for those on multiple prescriptions.
In my practice, I often work with elderly patients who come in with a lengthy list of medications. During assessments, the signs are unmistakable—tissues that appear flaccid and dry, accompanied by heavy deposits of soft plaque around the teeth. Beneath that plaque, the gums are red, inflamed, and irritated—a clear indication of the battle their oral environment is fighting daily.
But here’s the inspiring part: saliva, nature’s own oral defender, holds incredible restorative power. Composed of a complex blend of electrolytes, proteins, enzymes, and immunoglobulins, saliva is the body’s natural shield, uniquely designed to protect and repair.
The Marvels of Saliva in Action
Let’s break down the science behind this miraculous fluid:
pH Balance & Buffering: Bicarbonates, phosphates, and urea help maintain a balanced pH, reducing the acidic environment where harmful bacteria thrive.
Cleansing & Defense: Macromolecule proteins and mucins act like microscopic cleaning crews, aggregating harmful microorganisms while supporting healthy plaque metabolism.
Strengthening Teeth: Calcium, phosphate, and proteins work as a team to combat demineralization, promoting the remineralization of enamel.
Antibacterial Power: Immunoglobulins, proteins, and enzymes provide a dynamic defense against harmful bacteria, keeping infections at bay. (1)
Saliva also aids in cleansing the palate and debris that get caught while eating. Without saliva, it’s nearly impossible to swallow or talk. Xerostomia also sets up the mouth for a higher risk for decay. In this photo, root surfaces, which are not covered by enamel and along the gumline have developed cavities.
Saliva isn’t just a passive bystander—it’s an active participant in maintaining oral health, warding off disease, and promoting healing. When its production is compromised, as in cases of xerostomia, the entire oral ecosystem is thrown off balance.
Solutions for Dry Mouth Relief
While nothing truly compares to our body’s natural saliva, there are over-the-counter products that can provide relief. Many products claim to alleviate dry mouth symptoms but often fall short. After years of experience and patient feedback, here are my top recommendations:
This spray has received glowing reviews from my patients. It contains aloe vera, which is both soothing and moisturizing, and xylitol, which encourages natural saliva production. With two sizes included in the package, I suggest keeping the larger one at home and carrying the smaller size in a purse for on-the-go relief.
These small discs dissolve slowly when placed above the upper molars before bedtime. They help maintain moisture throughout the night while xylitol discourages bacterial growth.
For more severe cases of xerostomia, this saline solution with xylitol can help lubricate the back of the throat. As a bonus, research has shown this nasal spray to be effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Tips and Natural Remedies
Interestingly, some common practices for addressing dry mouth may not be as effective as they seem. For instance:
Water: While hydration is vital, drinking plain water—especially hot or hard water—can actually dry out tissues.
Caffeinated Beverages: Coffee and tea are often dehydrating and should be consumed sparingly.
Mouth Rinses: Many commercial mouthwashes can disrupt the delicate balance of oral microorganisms, potentially worsening dry mouth symptoms.
For those seeking natural ways to soothe dry mouth, here are my favorite herbal remedies and how to use them:
This herb soothes not only the mouth but the entire digestive tract. Best prepared as a cold infusion:
Place 1 tablespoon of organic marshmallow root in a cup of water and let it sit overnight. In the morning, strain the plant material.
Use as a mouth rinse (swish and swallow) or sip throughout the day as needed.
A sweet herb that adds moisture and acts as an antimicrobial. Best prepared as a hot infusion:
Add 2 teaspoons of licorice root to a cup of hot water and let it steep overnight. Strain in the morning.
Use as a rinse or sip throughout the day.
Known for its role in flavoring beverages, this herb is also moisturizing and antimicrobial. Prepare it as you would licorice root.
A deeply soothing herb for dry tissues and a renowned remedy for GERD symptoms. Prepare as a hot infusion, following the same method as licorice root.
Dry mouth doesn’t have to be a chronic struggle. With the right strategies and a touch of nature’s wisdom, relief is within reach. These solutions empower us to support and enhance the body’s natural defenses, fostering comfort and health for the long term.
(1) Humphrey, S. Willamson, R. A Review of Saliva: Normal Composition, Flow, and Function. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Vol. 85:2, February 2001.
The Amazing Xylitol
As a part of my license retention, continuing education hours are needed each year. In recent months, I attended a class which spoke, in part, about xylitol. In a previous post, I mentioned xylitol, yet from another speaker at a continuing education class. There seems to be a common theme about this xylitol business. So what's the big deal?
Xylitol was first discovered in Finland. During WWII, Finland chose not to participate in the war and closed it's boarders. Because of this, Finland was cut off by the outside world. Since the country had to use its own resources, they extracted sugar from birch trees. When the war was over, dentists soon realized the children in Finland had very little tooth decay.
The sugars extracted in the birch trees was named xylitol. Xylitol is in all fruits and vegetables. As a matter of fact, our own bodies produce about a tablespoon a day. It is to plants what glucose is to humans. Today, it's found in sugar-free gums, candy, and toothpastes. This product is different from the other sugars in that bacteria (all Strep and Yeast) cannot digest it, so there is a reduction in plaque and biofilm in the mouth with using it frequently. Sucrose is a 6-carbon chain that is taken in by the bacteria, metabolized, and used for energy. Xylitol is a 5-carbon chain, so bacteria pumps it in thinking its time to eat, but soon realize they’ve made a mistake. The bacteria uses up all its energy trying to pump it out.
Marketed a sugar substitute, it is not calorie free. It has a glycemic value of 7 and has 40% less calories than sugar. This is good news for diabetics and those watching their calorie intake. Xylitol has been used in many areas from fighting tooth decay to sinus infections. Exposure times are key though. In order to get the maximum benefit from xylitol, multiple exposures throughout the day must be made. The bacteria is hungry, and feeding it on a regular basis will decrease overall oral plaque by 70%.
You will want to use products that are 100% sweetened with xylitol. They can be found in your local health food store or on-line. Other products containing xylitol can be purchased in retail stores, but there is not enough of the substance to really make a difference. If going to the health food store to purchase 100% xylitol gum is out, then purchase Ice Breakers gum. It has the most xylitol than any of the other gums.
So here's the instructions on caries prevention in children:
• In the morning before school, chew 2 pieces of gum after brushing teeth. • Place one packet of Xylosweet (4 grams) in a water bottle at room temperature and pack for lunch. • Give the child either 2 mints or 5-6 Sparx candies to have after lunch. • Give the child 2 pieces of gum to chew when they get home from school. • Give the child 5-6 pieces of Sparx candies or 2 mints after tooth brushing at bedtime.
I personally have tried all the flavors and find them to be satisfactory. I have a jar of the gum on my kitchen counter and my family (throughout the day) will periodically reach in a grab a couple of pieces. This is NOT recreational gum. The flavor only lasts about 10 minutes. This gum is used to help keep the oral flora healthy and prevent tooth decay by eliminating as many Strep-bacteria as possible.
NOTE: XYILTOL IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TO DOGS! PLEASE KEEP OUT OF REACH OF YOUR PETS!
Look for future posts for specifics on how to use xylitol for sinus problems, dry mouth, and other uses.
Health-bite: 3-5 exposures of xylitol to prevent tooth decay
Why Xylitol For Tooth Decay?
Oh no, not another artificial sweetener! Don't we have enough already? Sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, what's next?
While most other artificial sweeteners have zero calories, xylitol has 2.4 calories per gram. That's 40% less calories than other carbohydrates. Discovered in 1891, the benefits of xylitol remained quiet for decades. In 1960, it was approved for use with diabetics, and in 1970 for cavity prevention.
This isn't like all the other sugar substitutes. Xylitol is found in tree bark, plants, fruits and vegetables. Our own body makes 5-10 grams of xylitol every day. Today, manufacturers produce xylitol from corn cobs and corn stalks (the products themselves don't contain corn). The down side of ingesting too much at once, is gastric upset. Since it is digested as a fiber, it pulls water from the tissues and can cause diarrhea. But, if ingested over a period of time, xylitol will not cause this side effect.
With a glycemic level of 7, xylitol does not raise insulin levels, making it safe for diabetics. So how does this sugar work? Well its a 5-carbon sugar instead of a 6 (like sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol.) Because it's a 5-carbon sugar, it passes through the bacterial membrane and can not be metabolized. While the bacteria uses up its energy trying to pump out the molecule, it uses up all its energy. The bacteria is unable to stick to one another, because it's used up the acid and is unable to make more. The bacterial communication becomes disrupted and the biofilm structure breaks apart. The bacteria then slide down the digestive and nasal tracks and exits the body! Cool, right?
The reason I'm so excited about xylitol is the effects with the teeth. It actually helps to fight tooth decay. A 1989 study by the University of Michigan took 1,277 students and divided them into four groups. Over a 40-month period, students were given 100% xylitol gum several times a day. Over the period of 40 months, students were monitored for tooth decay. The study revealed a dramatic decrease in decay. Five years later, a follow-up study by the University of Washington showed a 70% reduction in tooth decay, even though the students were no longer using the xylitol. Thus, the conclusion is xylitol changes the oral micro-flora.
For those who do not have a problem with tooth decay, the oral micro-flora is healthy. But, for those who have the bacteria that is causing cavities, xylitol may be able to eliminate those bad guys! Because bacteria works hard to grow every minute of the day, frequency is the key. Using gum and/or mints, getting five exposures throughout the day works best. While good is three exposures a day, it's best to strive for five. The gum is not a recreation gum, meaning, chewing only for five minutes will give the exposure needed. Once the flavor is gone, all the xylitol has been released.
So to break it down:
- after breakfast--chew gum or mint
- mid-morning--have a mint or gum
- after lunch--chew gum or mint
- mid-afternoon--have a mint or gum
- after supper--have a mint or gum
Some gum manufacturers market gum as having xylitol, but it's so far down on the list of ingredients, it has little benefit. Look for gum or mints that contain 100% xylitol. I find mine at our local health food store. Spry is the leading manufacturer of xylitol. I have included the link to their website. European countries have been recommending xylitol for years to prevent tooth decay, but we are still recommending fluoride. Fluoride is found in water, toothpastes, and mouth rinses, yet I continue to see tooth decay. Isn't it time to try something new? It reminds me of what I heard about the definition of insanity: "Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome."
health-bite: xylitol for tooth decay