Reasons you may Suffer from Dry Mouth

We all know drinking enough water is good for our health. And when you’re feeling parched, there’s nothing better than a tall drink of ice-cold water to dampen that dry mouth of yours. But what do you do when you find yourself constantly needing to wet your whistle

 

 

 

Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Less often, dry mouth may be caused by a condition that directly affects the salivary glands.

Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria, limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to chew and swallow. In addition, enzymes in saliva aid in digestion.

Decreased saliva and dry mouth can range from being merely a nuisance to something that has a major impact on your general health and the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your appetite and enjoyment of food.

 

If you're not producing enough saliva, you may notice these signs and symptoms all or most of the time:

Dryness or a feeling of stickiness in your mouth

~Saliva that seems thick and stringy

~Bad breath

~Difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing

~Dry or sore throat and hoarseness

~Dry or grooved tongue

~A changed sense of taste

~Problems wearing dentures

There are numerous reasons you could be suffering from dry mouth. Below are the top.

 

Physiologic

Sometimes having a dry mouth is just a normal part of life. Temporary anxiety, open-mouthed breathing, mild dehydration, menopause, pregnancy, and decreased saliva during  sleep are all normal causes of dry mouth.

 

Prescription medication

Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the US. are known to cause dry mouth. And the higher the number of medications a person takes, the higher the chance of dry mouth. That’s why as we age, we tend to experience more instances of dry mouth. It’s not necessarily age-related, but our consumption of medication may cause this side effect. Chronic Diseases such Diabetes, Sjogren’s disease, Sarcoidosis, Hepatitic C can all cause dry mouth.

 

Habitual use of alcohol and tobacco

Use of any of these products will dry out the oral cavity. Please drink in moderation, and make sure to up your water intake when you imbibe. As for tobacco, we always recommend quitting as soon as possible.

 

Treatment for dry mouth depends on the cause. But good news! It is manageable and there are several treatment options. But left untreated it can wreak havoc on tour dental health. In addition to the symptoms listed above, persons with dry mouth are exposed to a increase rate of decay. 

 

If you find yourself with a persistent, unidentifiable case of dry mouth, you should make an appointment for an evaluation.  We recommend visiting us or your doctor for a consultation on why you may be experiencing a dry mouth.