Dry mouth in Oshawa is a problem where you cannot make enough saliva. You need plenty of saliva for good oral health as it is a protective fluid. Saliva helps you chew and swallow food comfortably, lubricating it and contains enzymes that begin digestion. The correct name for dry mouth is xerostomia, and it is often a side-effect of medications like decongestants or antihistamines.
What Happens When Someone Doesn’t Have Enough Saliva?
A good flow of saliva helps to keep your mouth moist and comfortable, washing away some excess food particles. Without it, your risk of bad breath or halitosis increases. You were more likely to develop oral problems like tooth decay or fungal infections. People who wear dentures can find they are less comfortable to wear and can rub painfully on the gums. Without enough saliva, it can be trickier to talk and swallow food.
What Causes Xerostomia
Xerostomia is a very common problem, especially among older adults and anyone needing to take medications. It can develop if you need radiation therapy, particularly for treating head and neck cancers. Xerostomia can also occur if you need chemotherapy. The medications used for Parkinson’s disease can cause dry mouth, as can anxiety drugs, drugs for an overactive bladder or urinary incontinence, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
Other causes of dry mouth include dehydration, so sometimes the solution can be as simple as drinking more water. Xerostomia occurs more frequently in people who breathe through their mouths, especially at night. Certain medical conditions, particularly diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and Sjogren’s syndrome, can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth also becomes more common after menopause.
How to Treat Dry Mouth?
Any dry mouth treatment in Whitby aims to help increase your saliva flow and protect your dental health. It’s also important to manage any underlying health conditions causing xerostomia.
How We Can Help
If you think you have a dry mouth, talk to us when you next visit Margolian Dentistry. Our dentist can examine your mouth, listen to your concerns and discuss how best to manage xerostomia. We can devise a suitable treatment plan to help keep your mouth in optimal shape and relieve the discomfort of a dry mouth. For example, we might prescribe an artificial saliva substitute or recommend you see our hygienist more frequently for a professional dental cleaning. When you keep your mouth cleaner, getting rid of all plaque and tartar buildup regularly, the risk of dental disease decreases, especially when combined with a good oral care routine at home.
Maintaining good oral hygiene is vitally important if you have a dry mouth, so ensure you brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. We might recommend using an antimicrobial mouthwash. Make sure you floss daily, preferably just before bedtime, so you go to sleep with a cleaner mouth. Your mouth is already drier while you sleep, so ensuring it is clean will help protect your dental health.
Other tips include chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol or sucking on ice cubes or sugar-free candies. It can be best to avoid any salty or spicy foods that could dry your mouth further, as well as alcohol and caffeinated beverages. If you smoke, it’s best to quit for oral and general health.
If you think prescription medications might cause your xerostomia in Ajax, make an appointment to see your GP. They might be able to review your medications and prescribe something different or adjust the dosage. Please note you should always seek medical advice before adjusting the dosage or quitting any medications.