Everyone, even Hendricks County adults and children, can have a dry mouth every now and then. But if you have a dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, most or all of the time, it can lead to more serious problems.
Besides keeping your mouth moist, salvia helps you chew, swallow and digest food. It enhances your ability to taste and speak. And it helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and certain mouth infections like thrush by controlling bacteria growth in your mouth and washing away food particles.
Dry mouth can be caused by several things, including:
- Dehydration
- Side effects from certain medications like antihistamines, antidepressants and diuretics
- Damage to the nerves connected to the salivary glands
- Diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Sjögren’s Syndrome
- Medical treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy
Common symptoms of dry mouth include:
- A sticky, dry feeling in your mouth
- A dry feeling or soreness in your throat
- Frequent thirst
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking
- Cracked lips or sores in the mouth
- A dry, red, raw tongue
- Hoarseness
- Dry nasal passages
- Bad breath
- Difficulty wearing dentures
If you suffer from dry mouth, contact Danville Family Dentistry located in Hendricks County. Dr. Jon Erickson can help determine what’s causing your dry mouth and recommend treatment such as changing certain medications and/or dosage, or prescribing medication that helps your saliva glands produce more saliva.
Other recommendations may include:
- Using artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet
- Drinking plenty of water or sugarless beverages, especially when you’re eating
- Avoiding drinks with caffeine (such as coffee, tea and some sodas) that can dry your mouth out.
- Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva production
- Using a humidifier or vaporizer at night
Dry mouth is not a normal condition in Hendricks County or anywhere. So contact Danville Family Dentistry for an appointment today and get relief.
(317) 745-4400
