What to Know About Dry Mouth

A dry mouth is a situation in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t create enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. The problem is habitual because of the consequence of certain medications or aging issues. It could be a result of radiation therapy for cancer.

Saliva helps check tooth decomposition by neutralizing acids created by bacteria; restricting bacterial increase and washing away food particles. Saliva too increases your capacity to taste and makes it easier to chew and swallow. A dry mouth can vary from being simply troubled to something that has a key impact on your general health.

If you don’t have enough saliva and build up a dry mouth; you may face severe complications.

Possible Causes of Dry Mouth:

Medications
Age
Injury or surgery
Cancer treatment
Tobacco
Dehydration
Exercising or playing in the heat

Symptoms

Bad breath
Inflammation of the lips
Dryness in the mouth
Taste disorders
Fungal infections in the mouth
Painful tongue
Need to drink water, particularly at night
Tenderness of the tongue
Lipstick sticks to teeth
Recurrent gum disease
Tooth decay and plaque
Speaking issues
Sticky saliva
Uncomfortable throat
The problem with swallowing and chewing
Issues with denture retention
Salivary gland infection

Remedies: Burbank Dry Mouth

There are countless ways to keep the mouth wet and put off the indications of a dry mouth. Let’s discuss a few remedies.

Sipping sugar-free fluids
Chewing gum with xylitol
Using a carboxymethyl cellulose saliva substitute as a mouthwash
Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol
Eating foods such as carrots
Breathing through the nose
Using a humidifier

Things to Avoid:

Chewing tobacco
Sugary drinks/foods
Acidic foods/ drinks
Dry foods
Highly spiced foods
Astringents
Extremely warm or cold drinks
Limit your caffeine intake

How Do Dentists Diagnose Dry Mouth?

To decide the reason for your dry mouth, your dentist would likely evaluate your medical history and all medications you’re taking, count over-the-counter medications, and scrutinize your mouth.

Treatment Suggested by Dentist Burbank

Your treatment depends on the cause of the dryness of your mouth. Your dentist may:

Change medications that lead to mouth dryness. If your dentist thinks medication is the reason, he or she may alter your dosage or switch you to a different medication that doesn’t reason for a dry mouth.
Suggest products to keep your mouth wet. These can consist of artificial saliva or moisturizers to dampen your mouth. Mouthwashes meant for dry mouth, particularly ones with xylitol, can be effective, and also offers a shield against tooth decay.

If you have a harsh dry mouth, your dentist may:

Recommend medicine that encourages saliva. Your dentist may advise cevimeline (Evoxac) or (Salagen) to arouse saliva production.

Defend your teeth. To avoid cavities, your dentist might fit you for fluoride trays, which you fill up with fluoride and wear over your teeth at night. So, your dentist may as well propose the weekly use of a chlorhexidine wash to manage cavities.