Dental Advice on How to Prevent Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a displeasing, and often embarrassing condition. It is brought about by an insufficiency of the saliva secretion which is, in succession, often triggered by another medical condition. A patient who deals with dry mouth disorder might experience really bad breath, weakened taste buds, difficulty swallowing, as well as chewing, and a variety of other signs and symptom.

The Latin name for dry mouth is Xerostomia. Dry mouth can be an unwanted secondary effect of a broad variety of medical conditions and diseases. Xerostomia causes also include aging, certain medications, and radiation therapy. Fortunately, dry mouth can be successfully treated in a variety of ways.

Dry mouth causes

• Many medications, including common over-the-counter medicines, may cause the salivary glands to secrete less saliva. Some drugs that are most commonly connected to this disorder include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and medications for high blood pressure, pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, and antianxiety drugs.

• Chemotherapy and radiation treatment medications may cause permanent or temporary irregularities in saliva secretion; however, it is uncommon to experience such complications while undergoing cancer treatment on your neck or head.

• The use of the widespread recreational drugs may eventually cause dry mouth, including methamphetamine, marijuana, tobacco, and opioids. Smoking and chewing tobacco can result in reduced saliva production. Cigarette smoking, and another related recreational drug often brings about dry mouth. According to medical research, tobacco slows down the rate of saliva production in your mouth, which can worsen the condition.

• Aging, the prolonged health issues, inadequate or poor nutrition, and a reduced ability to process medications can lead to dry mouth. The research suggests that Xerostomia syndrome can present severe health issues for aging patients.

Xerostomia treatments

Once your dentist or physician diagnoses you with dry mouth (Xerostomia), they may use several treatment techniques. Here are some common treatment techniques.

• The doctor can prescribe you saliva stimulating medications. These are drugs that aid in stimulating the secretion or production of saliva.

• Moisturizer and mouthwash. If you are at the mild or intermediate Xerostomia stage, your dentist or specialist might prescribe moisturizers, mouth rinses, or artificial saliva. Mouthwashes that contain Xylitol not only help with the main issue, dry mouth, but also help prevent tooth decay.

• In case you have a severe complication due to poor saliva production, your dentist might give you fluoride trays for dental protection or chlorhexidine rinse, which is by prescription only.

• Changing your medical prescriptions can be a good idea. In case your Xerostomia is brought about by your medication usage, your dentist might advise you to adjust the dosage or completely change prescriptions of your current medications.

Dry mouth can be caused by some medicines, beverages, foods, and products. These include decongestants, antihistamines, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, acidic foods, and sugary foods and candies.

In conclusion, Xerostomia can manifest in an extensive range of displeasing symptoms. The most common symptoms are increased tooth decay, bad breath, cracked lips, plaque, and mouth sores. The major causes of dry mouth include cancer treatment, aging, alcohol, substance and medications abuse, pre-existing infections and illnesses. Fortunately, this condition can be successfully treated using a broad range of home remedies and over-the-counter products.