How a General Dentist Can Help With Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a condition that can be treated by a general dentist and is also known as xerostomia. When the salivary glands do not make adequate saliva to keep the mouth wet, the symptoms of dry mouth often show up. These can be caused by a variety of things, some as simple as medication and others as complicated as a specific medical condition.

The mouth makes saliva to do several things, including the following:

• Enhance taste
• Make it easier to swallow and chew
• Aid in digestion
• Neutralize acids that come from bacteria
• Wash away food particles
• Limit bacterial growth

If the salivary glands are not functioning correctly, it can cause problems with your gums and teeth. You may also notice that you do not enjoy food as much as you used to. Dry mouth can also cause problems with your overall health. Fortunately, there are many things a general dentist can do to treat this condition and improve your life.

Treating dry mouth

In-office treatments

When you have dry mouth, a dentist can use several treatments. They may prescribe a fluoride treatment to use at home and administer topical fluoride treatments in the office. They may also encourage you to use xylitol gum or antifungal or antibacterial mouthwashes. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform X-rays regularly to keep an eye on dental decay.

Home treatments

There are also things you can do at home to reduce the discomfort from dry mouth, such as the following:

• Regularly sip water throughout the day
• Stop using tobacco or smoking
• Decrease the amount of caffeine you drink each day
• Avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol
• Breathe through your nose rather than your mouth whenever possible
• Use a room humidifier at night to add moisture
• Avoid over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines
• Chew sugar-free gum

You can also avoid acidic or sugary food and drinks to prevent tooth decay. If you have tried all these steps and none seem to work, it is likely time to call a general dentist. They can provide a more in-depth analysis and treatment plan for the problem.

Causes of dry mouth

There are some things you can change to improve your condition and others that are simply out of your control. Dry mouth can be caused by medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, depression, Alzheimer’s, alcoholic cirrhosis and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Medications can also lead to dry mouth, and you may also have a salivary gland infection or generalized dehydration. A dentist can help you to determine what is causing your dry mouth and how to go about treating it.

Symptoms of dry mouth

You may have dry mouth if your mouth feels dry and sticky in the morning, you have difficulty speaking or swallowing, your mouth burns or your throat feels dry. If you have a hard time swallowing food or notice your tongue is a darker red color, you may have dry mouth. If you also take one or more prescription medications combined with these symptoms, it is likely dry mouth.

Conclusion

A dental professional can help to alleviate the pain and discomfort that comes from dry mouth. You do not need to live an uncomfortable life. A visit to the dentist is a good place to start dealing with the issue.

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