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What Causes Dry Mouth and What Do To About It
This article will list out what causes dry mouth, signs and symptoms of dry mouth, and what you can do about it.
Saliva is important for keeping tissues moist and makes it easier to chew and swallow food. Saliva also cleans your oral cavity and helps with digestion. Dry mouth is a condition that arises when you do not have enough saliva. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can create problems for chewing, tasting, swallowing, and talking. It can also lead to mouth sores, bad breath, and infections. Here is a look at the causes, common symptoms, and treatment for dry mouth.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is caused by anything that interrupts saliva production. In mild cases, xerostomia is caused by dehydration. In this case, the condition can be treated by drinking more water. In severe cases, xerostomia is caused by:
- Medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, and decongestants
- Use of tobacco
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sleep apnea
- Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, which disrupt the production of saliva
What Are The Signs of Dry Mouth?
There are different symptoms associated with xerostomia. Sometimes it is hard to identify dry mouth symptoms because they are similar to those experienced with other oral conditions. However, you should notify your dentist the moment you suspect xerostomia. Some of the possible indications include:
- Difficulty tasting foods
- Cracked lips
- Chronic bad breath
- Frequent tooth decay
- Sticky saliva
- Pain and infection on the tongue
Treatment for Dry Mouth
The treatment for dry mouth focuses on stimulating saliva production. Some of the strategies you can use to restore normal saliva production include drinking more water, chewing sugar-free gum, and brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. If your condition is triggered by medication, you can look for a different medication that does not come with the side effects of dry mouth. Your dentist may also prescribe a mouth rinse, mouth moisturizer, and medicine to trigger saliva production.
End Note
South Holston Dental Designs is devoted to creating the smile you have always dreamt of. The modern dental procedures performed by this team of dentists will resolve any oral conditions and make remarkable improvements to your smile. If you are struggling with dry mouth or any other oral health issue, do not hesitate to consult South Holston Dental Designs. Schedule a consultation today by calling 276-762-2323.
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A Caring Touch For Your Smile
The dentists at Castlewood Dental Group are dental professionals dedicated to cosmetic and implant dentistry with services including dental exams, bridges, dentures, x-rays, sleep apnea treatment, cleanings, and more.
