Dry Mouth Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions
Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is the lack of saliva caused by a variety of medical conditions, behaviors, and medication side effects. It can alter the taste of food, cause plaque buildup, and increase the likelihood of gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva that is produced is often thick or stringy, causing the person to have a hard time swallowing. Dry mouth can cause sore throat and sores at the corners of the mouth that cause the skin to crack.
Healthy salivary glands are supposed to produce 3 pints of saliva daily. In addition to its obvious benefit of helping chew food and assist in digestion, saliva helps clean the surfaces of teeth and prevent plaque buildup. It also contains minerals that work against tooth decay by making it difficult for bacteria to attach themselves to teeth. Also, saliva is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize natural acids that can damage tissue in the mouth.
There are a number of causes for dry mouth. Age is one of them. Saliva production tends to naturally decrease as a person gets older. Other causes include side effects of prescription and over the counter medications. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication frequently cause dry mouth. Also, antihistamines, antidiuretics, muscle relaxers, and high blood pressure meds can produce this condition. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported not only a decrease in the amount of saliva in their mouths, but also a change in its consistency as well.
Very often the presence of other health problems such as clinical depression, extreme anxiety that includes panic attacks, and uncontrolled diabetes can cause Xerostomia.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth, you need to call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. He or she will need to study your case history, examine your mouth, and possibly schedule a cat scan on the salivary glands or a blood test. Your dentist will need to also know all medical conditions you face and know about all medications you are taking.
If any medication you are taking is causing dry mouth, it may be possible to switch to another medication or alter the dosage. There are also drugs that help produce saliva that the dentist can help prescribe.
In some cases, lifestyle changes can alleviate dry mouth symptoms. Reducing sugar intake, significantly reducing alcohol consumption (or eliminating it altogether), and quitting smoking often help with saliva production. Avoid illegal drugs, period, especially methamphetamines and marijuana. These last two are notorious for causing dry mouth.
Read more about dry mouth on our main website:
Dry Mouth Treatments
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Dry Mouth Complications
Xerostomia
Call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as you can if you have any symptoms of xerostomia. Also, start practicing good dental hygeine daily in the meantime. Oral hygiene is something that every person with dry mouth also needs to practice diligently. Daily brushing and flossing minimize the possibility of teeth becoming vulnerable to decay.
Healthy salivary glands are supposed to produce 3 pints of saliva daily. In addition to its obvious benefit of helping chew food and assist in digestion, saliva helps clean the surfaces of teeth and prevent plaque buildup. It also contains minerals that work against tooth decay by making it difficult for bacteria to attach themselves to teeth. Also, saliva is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize natural acids that can damage tissue in the mouth.
There are a number of causes for dry mouth. Age is one of them. Saliva production tends to naturally decrease as a person gets older. Other causes include side effects of prescription and over the counter medications. Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication frequently cause dry mouth. Also, antihistamines, antidiuretics, muscle relaxers, and high blood pressure meds can produce this condition. Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy have reported not only a decrease in the amount of saliva in their mouths, but also a change in its consistency as well.
Very often the presence of other health problems such as clinical depression, extreme anxiety that includes panic attacks, and uncontrolled diabetes can cause Xerostomia.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth, you need to call our office and schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. He or she will need to study your case history, examine your mouth, and possibly schedule a cat scan on the salivary glands or a blood test. Your dentist will need to also know all medical conditions you face and know about all medications you are taking.
If any medication you are taking is causing dry mouth, it may be possible to switch to another medication or alter the dosage. There are also drugs that help produce saliva that the dentist can help prescribe.
In some cases, lifestyle changes can alleviate dry mouth symptoms. Reducing sugar intake, significantly reducing alcohol consumption (or eliminating it altogether), and quitting smoking often help with saliva production. Avoid illegal drugs, period, especially methamphetamines and marijuana. These last two are notorious for causing dry mouth.
Read more about dry mouth on our main website:
Dry Mouth Treatments
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Dry Mouth Complications
Xerostomia
Call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as you can if you have any symptoms of xerostomia. Also, start practicing good dental hygeine daily in the meantime. Oral hygiene is something that every person with dry mouth also needs to practice diligently. Daily brushing and flossing minimize the possibility of teeth becoming vulnerable to decay.
Labels: dental hygeine, dry mouth, dry mouth symptoms, dry mouth treatment, dry mouth treatments, oral hygeine, saliva, xerostomia, xerostomia causes and treatment
posted by Dental Expert at
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