Saliva is the first step in digestion and serves
to keep the mouth moist and clean. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough
saliva, you become more vulnerable to bacteria and fungi. Xerostomia, or dry
mouth, can be caused by a variety of situations.
Some of the most common causes of dry mouth are:
Medication side effects –
prescription and nonprescription drugs for allergies, colds, acne and
hypertension can result in dry mouth symptoms. Medical treatments such as
chemotherapy for head and neck cancers can also be a cause.
Dehydration – failing
to stay hydrated during fitness or due to fever or vomiting can cause temporary
dry mouth.
Nerve damage –
damage to the nerves in the head and neck area can lead to dry mouth issues.
Tobacco – use of
tobacco can aggravate dry mouth symptoms.
If you are experiencing dry mouth symptoms, some
ways to increase saliva production include:
- Drinking plenty
of water
- Sucking on
sugar-free candy or chewing sugar-free gum
- Using a room
vaporizer when you sleep
- Over-the-counter
oral rinse products that are designed to increase moisture
- Consulting with
your physician about changing medications
- Ceasing or
limiting tobacco use
Chronic dry mouth can increase your risk for gum
disease, dental decay and bad breath. If you are experiencing dry mouth on a
regular basis, give us a call to assess the causes and potential treatments.
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