Fluoride Therapy - 1
The reduction in salivary flow rate causes a change in the nature and quality of the residual saliva. Xerostomic clients demonstrate a more viscous and mucinous saliva, which facilitates food and plaque adherence to tooth surfaces, appliances and oral tissues. Large increases are seen in the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva and plaque, the major organism associated with dental caries formation. The pH of the oral cavity lowers, becoming more acidic, which in combination with increased plaque adherence to the teeth, places the client at an increased risk for dental caries.12
