What Can I Do About My Dry Mouth?

Posted in General Dentistry

You’ve surely heard over and over again about many of the common oral health problems – cavities, root canals, gum disease, and everything in between. Today, we’d like to discuss an issue you may not have heard too much about: dry mouth. Dry mouth, as you can guess, is caused by a reduced flow of saliva. While that might not sound too serious, saliva carries out many functions in both the mouth and throat, and if the gland that produces it is dysfunctional, it can lead to trouble. Here at Bethesda Sedation Dentistry in Bethesda, MD, we want to provide you with information to alleviate problems within our area of expertise.

What kind of problems can my dry mouth cause?

Dry mouth can lead to a host of oral health problems, the most common being tooth decay. Saliva helps to limit the amount of bacteria in the mouth, so when you produce less of it, cavities can occur more frequently.  Dry mouth can also cause mucositis, a painful inflammation of the lining of the mouth, as well as candidiasis, a fungal infection that affects the palate and tongue. Gingivitis and bleeding gums are also common complications of dry mouth.

What can I do to help myself?

• Drink plenty of water. This may seem obvious, but a surprisingly small percentage of Americans (only a little over 30%) drink the recommended amount of water a day. Drinking water can also help cure bad breath.
• Brushing your teeth properly and flossing after every meal can go a long way towards treating dry mouth.
• Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy often helps stimulate saliva production.
• If you breathe primarily through your mouth, try breathing through your nose instead. Breathing through your mouth can sometimes be the sole cause of dry mouth altogether, and while it may be a hard habit to break, it will certainly be worth it when you do.
• If you suffer from dry mouth due to a medical condition, talk to your doctor. There are prescriptions available that can increase saliva production.
• Using over the counter salivary substitutes, such as Biotene, can alleviate dry mouth.
• Due to the high incidence of cavities associated with dry mouth, prescription strength fluoride can be used to strengthen enamel.

Hopefully, these tips will help you combat your dry mouth. And if you’ve already suffered a cavity or other oral health problems from dry mouth, Dr. Klotz or Dr. Schlossberg are here to help as soon as possible. Call Bethesda Sedation Dentistry today to schedule an appointment. In our Bethesda office, we cater to the dental needs of patients from Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Rockville, and Washington D.C.