IS YOUR MOUTH FREQUENTLY DRY
…annoyingly dry? Dry mouth is a common problem that is more than a nuisance.
A dry mouth can affect both your enjoyment of food and the health of your teeth. Both are very important!
Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to swallow. The enzymes in saliva even aid in digestion.
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What Causes Frequent Dry Mouth?
It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side-effect of medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers, high blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants, Parkinson’s disease medications, antidepressants and many others. You can see the list is long!
Nuisance Problems include: constant sore throat, burning sensation, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages.
Longer Term Issue – Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth by helping to create an environment more prone to tooth decay.
Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can occur.
Dr. Randall Brucken and Dr. Lawrence Stubbs recommend various methods to restore moisture, including:
- Sugar-free candy or gum can stimulate saliva flow
- Using artificial saliva and oral rinses can also help
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If you are suffering with symptoms of dry mouth, please let us know! We can work with you to help alleviate these symptoms and be proactive in reducing your potential for tooth decay. Please let us know if you have any questions, we are here to serve you and your family!
