If you have ever suffered from dry mouth, you know the desperation you feel to have some moisture in your mouth. A dry mouth can make it difficult to swallow food and even speak. It is a common oral condition. In fact, 1 in 4 adults experiences some degree of dry mouth. Although you may long for water, your mouth is really demanding more spit. An adequate level of saliva in your mouth will not only keep you uncomfortable while swallowing or talking, but it is essential to keeping your teeth healthy as well. Saliva helps wash away food or bacteria in your mouth and neutralizes oral acids. Because low saliva production puts you at up to 3 times a greater risk for cavities, you need to always seek treatment for a chronically dry mouth. Dry mouth can also result in chronic bad breath, and no one wants that.
There are a number of reasons that could be causing your mouth to be dry. Prescription medications, especially multiple medications, are among the most popular dry mouth culprit. Chemotherapy and radiation often cause severe cases of dry mouth as well. Certain diseases like diabetes, anxiety, autoimmune disease, stroke, depression, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s can also trigger dry mouth.
Regardless of your cause, dry mouth is a condition that needs to be addressed. Leaving your dry mouth untreated can lead to more serious and costly oral health problems. Your dentists in Marietta can help you determine a treatment plan to combat your ongoing battle with dry mouth and ensure your teeth and gums maintained properly. Your dentist can recommend products such as special mouth sprays, dry mouth moisturizing lubricants, oral rinse and toothpastes to help your condition. There is even dry mouth gum to help stimulate the production of saliva. When water is not enough to keep your mouth moisturized, contact your dentists Marietta to get the help you need.
Posted on behalf of Dr. Paul Gilreath IV,