How Dehydration Affects Gum Disease Prevention

Saliva helps prevent gum disease because it has high levels of oxygen and natural enzymes which neutralize the anaerobic bacteria. Using tobacco products will also make gum disease prevention difficult because they dry out the mouth and decrease salivation rates. Gum disease prevention is also complicated by the steady or consistent use of laxatives. Laxatives should only be used for short periods of time. Gum disease prevention becomes tremendously challenging to say the least for those taking dietary supplements because the combination of lowered salivation and a weakened immune system tend to make it easy for the anaerobic populations to swell out of control. While the consumption of alcohol may effectively kill the anaerobic bacteria in your mouth while drinking, it will leave you defenseless in the morning when you awaken with a dry mouth. A great many tooth and gum disease problems could be avoided by simply avoiding behaviors or substances that lead to dehydration. By keeping the mouth well-salivated and using good oral hygiene practices, preventing gum disease is very simple.