In a post earlier this month, we talked about xerostomia, or dry mouth. This week, we're going to tell you a little more about its causes, implications, and treatments.
As we mentioned in our other post, dry mouth usually results as a side effect of taking certain medications, but sometimes it happens as a symptom of another condition. It can also occur as a standalone condition.
Although it may seem harmless, dry mouth should not be ignored. If you experience it consistently, make an appointment with your dentist so he or she can help you overcome it or properly account for it in your oral health routine.
Dry Mouth Causes:
Dry mouth is of special concern for many elderly dental patients. They are more likely to take a wider range of medications, many of which include xerostomia as a side effect. It can also sometimes occur as a natural result of aging.
Other sources of dry mouth include:
- Antihistamines (pay special attention during allergy season)
- Diuretic drugs and natural diuretics like beets, celery, and lemons
- Nasal decongestants
- Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety and anti-panic) drugs
- Lifestyle choices such as smoking or chewing tobacco
- Infections
- Caffeine products
This isn't a complete list, of course, but it may help you identify some you encounter regularly in your day-to-day. If any of these apply to you, talk to your dentist about it and be sure to practice good prevention.
Dry Mouth Implications
Dry mouth is going to make you more than thirsty if you experience it for prolonged periods of time. It can cause halitosis, sore throat, and it can affect your ability to chew and swallow your food. The more serious implications of dry mouth include advanced gum disease, increased plaque buildup, and greater frequency of tooth decay. Lack of saliva can also make your mouth more prone to diseases and infections. It is fairly common to see thrush in patients with untreated dry mouth.
Dry Mouth Treatments
There are several things you can do to mitigate your risk of oral health problems if you have dry mouth:
- In order produce more saliva, chew gum; just make sure it's sugar free.
- If your dry mouth is the result of medication, make sure you drink enough water while it's in your system.
- Practice extra care brushing and flossing since you don't have the proper amount of saliva protecting your teeth and gums.
- Make sure you talk to your dentist about your dry mouth. He or she can make sure you take extra steps to keep your mouth healthy or help you find the root cause.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope this close look at a common problem helps you or a loved one better understand dry mouth so you know what to do when you experience it. If these dental tips, facts, or news would help a friend of yours, please like or share our Facebook page and help us get the word out.