Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, happens when your mouth produces little to no saliva. What little saliva you have might be thick and stringy, leaving you feeling dehydrated and thirsty. However, a dry mouth is more than just feeling thirsty. Saliva helps you taste what you eat and drink, and it helps you digest your food. In addition, it flushes food particles away from your teeth and neutralizes acids to help prevent tooth decay.
The Practical Reason Why Dry Mouth Includes Dry Skin
When you don’t have enough saliva it causes the skin in and around the mouth to become dry and tight. As a result, your lips may become cracked, and sores might form at the corners of your mouth. Your tongue can feel rough and dry as well. And you might have trouble swallowing or speaking without the lubrication that saliva provides.
Never Again To The Embarrassing Side Effects
Dry mouth causes unpleasant complications. Because saliva isn’t flushing your mouth of food particles and debris regularly, it’s common to develop persistent bad breath. If you wear lipstick, you might find that it sticks to your teeth because no saliva can rinse it off. Dry mouth can also be the culprit in hoarseness or a tickle in the throat.
Truth Helpful Medicines Can Cause Dry Mouth
More than 400 types of medications can cause dry mouth, including over-the-counter drugs for allergies and cold symptoms and many prescription drugs for high blood pressure, overactive bladder, and mental health problems. It can also result from medical treatments such as radiation for certain cancers, which can damage salivary glands. In addition, chemotherapy sometimes causes saliva to thicken and make the mouth feel dry.
Research Results Found Nerve Damage Can Affect Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be related to head or neck injury nerve damage. Specific nerves carry messages between the brain and the salivary glands. If these nerves are damaged, they might be unable to tell the salivary glands to make saliva. Without saliva, it’s also hard to taste food because saliva carries the flavors in food to nerve cells in the mouth and throat.
Know It All About Other Causes Of Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be caused by a medical condition called Sjögren’s syndrome. Sjögren’s is an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells called lymphocytes attack the body’s tear and salivary glands. This leads to dry eyes and mouth, the most common symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome.
It Is Proven That Smoking Can Make It Worse
There are plenty of reasons to quit smoking, and having a dry mouth is one of them. Smoking does not cause dry mouth, but smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipes or using other tobacco products, even smokeless ones, can aggravate dry mouth. Alcohol and caffeine are also very drying.
An Excellent Doctor Can Help Treat Dry Mouth
Talk to your doctor or dentist if you’re suffering from the symptoms of dry mouth. If you’re not currently taking medications that may be causing your dry mouth, your symptoms might point to an underlying and undiagnosed medical condition like sjogren’s syndrome or diabetes.
The Truth About Taking Care Of Your Teeth
A lack of saliva can be harmful to your teeth. Regular dental checkups are essential if you have a dry mouth. Faithfully floss and brush your teeth daily to remove food and bacteria. If you can’t brush after eating, rinse your mouth. Sip water frequently throughout the day and use alcohol-free mouthwash or dental products.
This Is The Noted Tips To Stimulate Saliva Production
Check with your doctor to see whether medication would help relieve your dry mouth symptoms. Sucking on sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva flow. Over-the-counter saliva substitutes may provide temporary relief for some people.
Other Important Tips To Help Out With Dry Mouth
Sipping water frequently will help keep your mouth moist. But steer clear of sugary, acidic, or caffeinated drinks. Drinking water or milk with meals increases moisture and helps with chewing and swallowing. Try sleeping in a room with a humidifier to decrease dry mouth symptoms. Make sure you see your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.
Dr. Genis is a Dentist In Bucks County. Their team of talented professionals and state-of-the-art equipment are always there to assist patients with a smile. They offer dental services and procedures, including teeth whitening, implants, full dentures, orthodontics, and more.