If your mouth isn’t producing enough saliva, you may be suffering from dry mouth. This is a problem for your oral health because it increases your risk for many oral health issues, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth infections. It can also make it difficult to wear dentures.
Fortunately, we here at Central Davis Dental can help you with your dry mouth.
What Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. Typically, dry mouth isn’t a condition in and of itself, but rather, a symptom of another underlying problem. When you suffer from dry mouth, your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva in order to keep your mouth moisturized.
Why Is Saliva Important?
The reason why this is a problem is because your saliva plays a very important role in your overall health. Not only does it keep your mouth moisturized, but it also moistens food, which lets you swallow comfortably. It has antifungal properties and prevents tooth decay and other oral diseases. It neutralizes harmful acids and has both calcium and phosphate in it, which can prevent decay.
Additionally, it helps with sensations in your mouth, such as with texture, taste, and pain. It is also important in order to help you form specific sounds when you speak.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
There are multiple causes for dry mouth, some easier to treat than others.
- Drugs/medications.
- Infection
- Nerve problems.
- Dehydration.
- Mouth-breathing.
- Hormonal changes.
- Some medical conditions.
- Some cancer treatments.
Symptoms Of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth involves more than just the name implies. Your mouth feels dry, for sure. However, there are other symptoms that you may experience as well.
Some of the other symptoms of this condition include:
- Being frequently thirsty
- Bad breath
- Hoarseness
- Dry nasal passages
- A sore throat or dry feeling in your throat
- Sores in your mouth
- Split skin or sores at the corners of your mouth
- Cracked lips
- A burning or tingling sensation in your mouth and/or on your tongue
- Difficulty speaking, tasting, chewing, and/or swallowing
- A dry, red, and raw tongue
- Tongue sticking to the roof of your mouth
- Saliva that feels thick/stringy
- Lips and cheeks sticking to your gums
Depending on what is causing your dry mouth, you may also experience symptoms in other areas of your body. Some of these include:
- Joint pain/stiffness
- Dry/itchy eyes
- Dry nose
- Coughing
- Poor sleep
- Constipation
- Reduced sense of smell
- General feeling of being unwell
- And more
Treatment Options For Dry Mouth
Depending on the cause of your dry mouth, treatment options may vary. For instance, if your dry mouth is the result of a side effect of medication, you can ask your doctor to either change the dosage or prescribe something else. If your dry mouth is the result of an underlying condition, such as infection or a medical issue, treating the condition can treat the dry mouth.
It’s important to work with your doctor and your dentist in order to diagnose the cause of your dry mouth and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
We here at Central Davis Dental can help you manage your dry mouth and prevent potential oral health problems. There are oral rinses, toothpaste, and moisturizing gels made specifically for dry mouth. Should these be ineffective, there are also medications that may be prescribed that can increase your saliva production.
Tips For Living With Dry Mouth
While living with this condition, it’s crucial to work with your dentist and your doctor in order to obtain the specific treatment guidelines you need for your specific circumstances. That said, in general, there are some things that you can do which may help you.
- Practice proper oral health care, such as brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and obtaining a professional dental cleaning as needed, typically every 6 months.
- Ensure that you are using dental products with fluoride in order to reduce the risk of tooth decay. Your dentist will be able to recommend appropriate products for your dry mouth.
- Making an appointment to see your dentist and your doctor. They will be able to help you with your specific circumstances. If you suspect that your dry mouth is a side effect of your medication, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Are You Struggling With Dry Mouth?
We here at Central Davis Dental can help. Contact us today to learn more about our dental services and what we can do in order to ease your discomfort and optimize your oral health.