If you have Xerostomia, also known as Dry Mouth Syndrome, you are not alone. It is common for everyone’s mouth to feel dry from time to time; however, when the feeling doesn’t go away it can cause other health issues. Saliva is very important in cleansing our mouth from bacteria and helping us in digesting our foods. It also helps protect our teeth from acidic foods.
But what exactly is Dry Mouth? It is when the glands in your mouth are not producing enough saliva to keep your mouth wet and moistened. Your saliva may feel sticky and you have bad breath or a sour taste in your mouth. You can also have gum irritation, cracked lips, and more frequent tooth decay. You may also experience sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
Common causes to dry mouth include stress, certain types of medications, smoking, aging, dehydration, and cancer treatments. Keeping hydrated is one of the simplest ways to fight dry mouth. Chewing sugar free gum can also stimulate the production of saliva. If drinking more water and chewing gum aren’t enough there are rinses and toothpastes that can also help. If medications are causing dry mouth, discuss with your doctor to find alternative medications that can reduce dry mouth symptoms. Overall treatment really depends on the individual and what is causing dry mouth. If you are experiencing dry mouth be sure to let us know so that we can help out.