Do you suffer from dry mouth?
Do you ever feel like your mouth and the Sahara Desert have something in common?
If so, you are not alone. Over 25 million Americans suffer from dry mouth. And it’s not just the discomfort of dry mouth (called “xerostomia” by dentists) that is the problem; it is often accompanied by trouble chewing and swallowing, difficulty in speaking, a rise in dental cavities and gum disease, and most noticeably to some, bad breath.
So why do so many of us have what is referred to as “cottonmouth?”
According to The Food and Drug Administration, over 400 medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can lead to dry mouth. It’s also caused by mouth breathing, dehydration (drink your water!), and lack of salivary flow due to aging. In rare instances, dry mouth may be caused by an underlying serious disease – so it is not something to take lightly.
Of course our good old friends (actually enemies) – excessive alcohol consumption and smoking are among the leading causes of dry mouth, so if you need another reason to put away the cigarettes for good and cut down on the booze, now is a great time!
There are several things you can do to help reduce the symptoms of dry mouth, including:
- Chewing a sugar free gum containing Xylitol
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Breathing through your nose instead of your mouth.
- Frequent brushing and rinsing with a fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse.
- Using a room vaporizer /humidify in your home.
- Using an over -the -counter saliva substitute.
Since dry mouth can also be a sign of a serious illness AND cause and increase cavities and gum disease, excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits are a must.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please call us at 313-945-8900 for an appointment.
Your health is important to us and we’re here to help.
Your partners for better dental health,
Oakwood Family Dentists
Drs. Goldstein, Jaffe & Aboona
www.oakwoodfamilydentists.com
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