Look Carefully at Dry Mouth: Causes and Treatment

Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia, is the lack of saliva flow in the mouth resulting from salivary glands inadequately producing normal secretions. It is not necessarily a condition, rather a symptom which can be produced from a variety of medical ailments.

If you suffer from symptoms of dry mouth, your Scottsbluff NE Dentist can help pinpoint the cause and determine the best treatment regimen for you.

Frequently, those who suffer from dry mouth experience a variety of other symptoms. Foul breath, difficulty eating, swallowing or speaking, sore throat, mouth sores and dry or cracked lips can all result from dry mouth. Associated with these symptoms is an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

A number of factors can lead to dry mouth and the chance of having these symptoms increases with age.  Most commonly, dry mouth is associated with the use of medication and drugs. Antihistamines, along with an extremely large array of other drugs, can be responsible for decreased saliva flow. The more medication a person takes, the more likely they are to suffer from dry mouth. The use of tobacco products and alcohol can also produce similar symptoms.

Dry mouth can sometimes be a result of a more serious underlying condition. It can be a symptom associated with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Sjögren’s syndrome and many others. Radiation and chemotherapy treatment can also result in dry mouth.

Many regimens are available to alleviate dry mouth symptoms. A simple solution is to chew sugar-free gum or candy. This will increase saliva flow. A variety of products are designed to treat dry mouth, such as toothpastes, gels and mouth rinses. Lozenges formulated for dry mouth are also available and generally produce great results.

With more severe cases of Xerostomia, these regimens may not completely eliminate the symptoms. In this case, medications can be prescribed by your dentist that will increase the salivary flow and relieve your symptoms.

The negative effects of dry mouth can be harmful to your teeth and gums while also compromising the integrity of your cosmetic dental work.

To protect your health and preserve your beautiful smile, make an appointment with your Cosmetic Dentist in Scottsbluff NE to learn more about the best plan of action for you.