Rootz Dental Care and Implant Center: Dry mouth

DRY MOUTH

Xerostomia/Dry mouth is a condition related to the salivary glands, which help keep the mouth moist, thus preventing decay and other oral health problems. When the salivary glands do not work properly, the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases, resulting in xerostomia—or, as it’s more commonly known, dry mouth.

Causes of dry mouth

Medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. There are more than 400 medications that can contribute to mouth dryness, including antihypertensives, antidepressants, painkillers, tranquilizers, diuretics, and antihistamines.

Dry mouth also can be caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, hormonal alterations, or diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, Alzheimer’s disease, and kidney disease. Other contributing factors include stress, anxiety, depression, nutritional deficiencies, and dysfunction of the immune system, as is seen in individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Importance of saliva?

ORAL INFECTION

Saliva is vital to everyday processes such as tasting, swallowing, speaking, and digesting. Saliva is a natural defense for teeth. Without saliva, teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections. Human saliva is composed mostly of water but also includes electrolytes, anti-bacterial compounds, and various enzymes. The components of saliva play a major role in keeping your mouth healthy by rinsing away food particles, neutralizing harmful acids, and providing enzymes to help digest food.

TOOTH DECAY

Signs and symptoms of dry mouth?
1)Increased need to sip or drink fluids when swallowing.
2)Difficulty speaking.
3)Difficulty swallowing.
4)A burning sensation or soreness in the mouth.
5)Inability to eat certain foods.
6)Diminished or altered sense of taste.
7)Increased susceptibility to oral infection.

GINGIVITIS

8)Sleep interruptions due to thirst.
9)Difficulty wearing dentures.
10)Tooth decay.
11)Gingivitis.
12)Bad breath.

How can dentist help?

SUGARLESS CHEWING GUMS

If you exhibit any of the symptoms of dry mouth, it’s important to contact your dentist.Your dentist may recommend using saliva substitutes and over-the-counter mouthwashes, gels, and sprays. To ease discomfort, your dentist also may recommend brushing and flossing twice a day, chewing sugarless gum, drinking plenty of water, and maintaining regular dental visits. In addition, your dentist may suggest that you change your diet, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, smoking, citrus juices, dry foods, and overly salty foods.

For more information regarding treatments contact us today.