Understand the Causes and Treatments for Dry Mouth
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Understand the Causes and Treatments

for Dry Mouth

Saliva plays a very important role in both keeping the mouth clean and boosting food digestion. It also prevents infections by neutralizing acids that are formed by plaque. There are, however, some conditions that cause the inadequate production of saliva. Xerosomia, also known as dry mouth, is the condition associated with the inadequate production of saliva in the mouth.

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Causes

    • Medication

Dry mouth is the side effect of some medications such as drugs used in the treatment of pain, allergies, colds, depression, and anxiety. Muscle relaxants and sedatives have also been found to cause dry mouth.

    • Disease and infections

HIV/AIDs, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, stroke, mumps, and hypertension are diseases that are known to trigger xerosomia. Additional tests are required to determine if a disease or infection is causing you to have a dry mouth.

    • Medical treatments

Certain medical treatments like radiation therapy will cause you to suffer from the dry mouth condition. This is because some treatments may cause the saliva glands to be damaged thus reducing the amount of saliva that you generate. Chemotherapy treatment has also been known to cause dry mouth.

    • Nerve damage

If the nerves in your head or neck area are damaged you may suffer from dry mouth. Nerve damage can be caused by surgery or injuries.

    • Dehydration

Excessive sweating, burns, fever or diarrhea can lead to moisture loss. In turn, you may experience a dry mouth.

    • Lifestyle choices

Smokers and people who breathe with their mouth open are more prone to the dry mouth problem.

Symptoms of dry mouth

How do you know what you are suffering from is dry mouth? Here are the signs and symptoms you need to look out for:

  • Tingling or burning sensation in your mouth mostly on the tongue area
  • Frequent thirst
  • Bad breath
  • Cracked lips
  • Dry nasal passages
  • A dry feeling in the mouth
  • Trouble speaking, swallowing and chewing
  • Frequent sore throat
  • Sores in your mouth
  • Dry sensation in the throat

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Treatment for Dry Mouth

As regards the treatment of dry mouth, you need to contact your dentist Nobleton. You may be given an oral rinse which will help restore moisture in your mouth. If this treatment doesn’t help, medication can be prescribed. The medication prescribed here is the Salagen which works by stimulating saliva production in the mouth.

In addition to the above treatments, there are steps you can take to stimulate saliva production. Here are some of the things you should do:

  • Suck or chew on sugarless gum/candy
  • Use fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinse
  • Taking lots of water
  • Refrain from breathing through the mouth
  • Use a vaporizer in the room to avoid dry air. Use a vaporizer after turning on the dryer
  • Get artificial saliva substitute. This is sold over-the-counter

Dry mouth is not a condition you should ignore. It increases the risk of gingivitis and can lead to serious bad breath. If you notice that you have the problem, visit a doctor immediately. You need the dry mouth condition diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

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