DRY MOUTH AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT

Almost everyone's mouth is dry sometimes.  But if you feel like you have cotton in your mouth constantly, it may be time for treatment.  Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a very common condition.  It affects about one in every four to five adults, mainly women.  And it's prevalence increases with age.

Dry mouth sufferers often don't notice they are suffering from dry mouth until their saliva flow has dropped by 50%.  Symptoms include:  a feeling of soreness in the mouth; stickiness to the touch and cracking at the corners of the mouth; a red and parched mouth or pebbled look to the tongue; difficulty eating dry or spicy foods; difficulty speaking; a tendency to wake up more often during the night; bad breath.

It is important to know that the saliva in your mouth is your main defense against cavities and tooth decay.  Reduced saliva flow can damage mouth tissue and contribute to bad breath.

So what causes dry mouth?  There can be many causes but usually it's a combination of the following:

-medications:  the more medicine you take, the more likely you are to suffer from chronic dry mouth
     -more than 400 medications have dry mouth as a side effect and the number keeps growing; some
       include anti-depressants, anti-histamines, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medicines
     -cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation of the head and neck
     -hormone changes, such as those that occur during pregnancy or menopause
     -a diet that is high in salty foods and caffeine
     -health problems, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Sjogren's Syndrome
     -the smoke and nicotine from cigarettes has a drying effect in the mouth
     -snoring or breathing open-mouthed

Dry Mouth Treatments 

     -talk to your doctor about changing your medication or the dosage
     -there are some saliva substitutes, regulated by the FDA, that can be very helpful by lubricating the mouth
     -sip water or sugarless drinks, or suck on ice chips
     -avoid irritants, such as alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
     -chew sugar-free gum or mints (preferably sweetened with xylitol) to help stimulate saliva flow
     -use a humidifier in your bedroom at night

The effects of dry mouth can be devastating to a person's oral health.  Talk to your dentist and provide a list of medications that you take, as well as any medical conditions or treatments you've had.  The American Dental Association recommends seeing your dentist at least twice a year.  

If you have any questions or concerns about the effect your dry mouth is having on your teeth, please visit us at www.klfamilydental.com