Does your mouth ever feel dry?

The saliva in our mouth is very helpful in maintaining oral health. It serves as a protective lubricant both of gums, cheeks and teeth. The saliva in our mouth also helps in the self-cleansing ability of our mouth. An adequate salivary flow is needed to breakdown food as we chew and swallow. It is easy to take our salivary flow for granted; however, when it decreases we can experience many problems.

A dry mouth sensation can be a simple annoyance if it is minor; however, for some people it can be the cause of many serious dental problems. Chronic dry mouth may lead to oral yeast infections, a burning sensation in our mouth, as well as widespread tooth decay. Bad breath a as well as changes in the diet are noticeable, because of the discomfort associated during eating. People who wear false teeth or partials may experience problems wearing those comfortably and can develop sores in their mouth.

Xerostomia, which is the clinical name for dry mouth, may be temporary or permanent depending on the situation. You may experience temporary dry mouth after a high fever or if you are not drinking enough fluids. It has also been associated with hyperthyroidism. There are some conditions however that will cause a permanent decrease in salivary flow. When a patient has radiation treatment to the head and neck area to treat oral cancer, permanent damage to the salivary glands can occur and so the salivary flow is greatly decreased. The main cause of dry mouth however can be the side effect of taking medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers and diuretics, as well as antidepressants. It is estimated that over 400 medications have dry mouth as a possible side effect.

Getting relief from dry mouth can be achieved sometimes from simply drinking more water throughout the day. If the symptoms are more severe there are saliva substitutes that your dental hygienist as well as your dentist can tell you about. Using sugar-free gum or candy can also stimulate salivary flow. The use of alcohol-free oral rinses is recommended to decrease cavities as well as infections. It is important to note that alcoholic, as well as carbonated and caffeinated drinks should be kept to a minimum.

Taking care of your teeth when you have dry mouth is essential to the health of your teeth and gums. Brushing at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush as well as flossing and seeing your dental hygienist for visits can help maintain the health of your teeth. Fluorides and alcohol rinses as well as other medications can be recommended by your dental hygienist/dentist at your next visit. Remember just because you are experiencing dry mouth you don’t have to suffer in silence, at your next dental appointment be sure to mention it to your dental professional and they can offer you many suggestions to improve your condition. [B][I](Lori I. Serna Bs, Rdh, Med)[/I][/B] [I]Lori Serna has been working with the SDA dental clinic for the last six years in helping improve dental awareness throughout the CNMI.[/I]