You may finally be thin but don’t dare smile. Your teeth may have rotted! A bit far reached but it could happen. Most over-the-counter diet pills increase metabolism and reduce salivary flow. A reduced salivary flow will increase your risk of getting tooth decay.
The over the counter products; Epinephrine, guarana, caffeine taken individually or stacked will decrease salivary flow.  Doctor prescribed anorexics will do the same. The “energy” drinks available have this capability also. Any drug that increases metabolism will decrease salivary flow. For some people this may not be a problem. Others it can be a huge and expensive problem.
Decreased salivary flow creates a condition called xerostomia. Xerostomia is a dry mouth. Okay, you say, “I’ll drink more water.” Not so simple. Water will help however water does not have the enzymes in it to buffer off the “bad’ bacteria that causes cavities. Also, usually when someone is experiencing dry mouth the first thing they think to put into their mouth is a piece of candy or gum. Not so bad if the candy or gum is sweetened with xylitol but the non-sugarless candies seem to be in abundance. Also, foods and drinks known to be low in calorie may be high in acidity. Crystal light, Lemonade, diet soda, oranges are all highly acidic.
So, what? Well, the lower the ph level in your mouth the greater the risk of getting a cavity. There are products that can be used to help ward off the drying acidic affects of xerostomia. Many products are available through your dental office. Sooth RX and GC America’s IM paste are excellent sources to remineralize teeth and also reduce sensitivity. Flouride products are an old standard however MI paste is natural and will “heal” the demineralized tooth tooth color where as fluoride most certainly remineralize a darker color. Over the counter products like baking soda will help reduce the bacteria in your mouth, neutralize the ph for awhile, and freshen your breath.
Always tell your dental professional, dentist or hygienist, what prescription medication and over the counter supplements you are taking. Your dental professional wants to provide the best comprehensive treatment for you.
