Saliva is your
friend
That slimy wet watery substance
found in your mouth is actually one of your best friends. Saliva is very important for many different reasons. It plays a necessary and vital role when
eating and chewing. We don’t recognize
how important it is until you lose part of it and find your tongue sticking to
the top of your mouth. Think back on
those times when you have a really intense situation or your adrenaline kicks
in and you can’t pull your tongue off the roof of your mouth. It can be really annoying and hard to talk or
eat anything.
Saliva also helps in keeping the
teeth healthy and strong. It washes away
food and debris from the teeth and gums.
Some of the minerals found in your saliva can actually help fight cavities
by replacing those that are lost when a cavity first develops. Some people have a condition where they are
always like this. It is called
xerostomia, or dry mouth. This condition
is not a disease but a symptom caused by a myriad of different reasons.
In the
majority of cases xerostomia, dry mouth, is a side effect of using some types
of medications. These medications
include antihistamines, diuretics, blood pressure meds, muscle relaxants and
painkillers just to name a few. Up to
400 different medications have this side effect. When taking a new medication it is important
to look at the list of side effects to see if this condition is listed.
Other
causes of xerostomia are head and neck cancer, head and neck radiation therapy,
stress, Sjodgren Syndrome, endocrine disorders, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes,
stroke and AIDS. Dry mouth can also be
the cause of some hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause.
What are the
symptoms?
Here is a
list of some of the symptoms of xerostomia.
Read down this list and see if you have one or more of these:
-
a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth or throat
-
limited saliva that seems thick or stringy
-
a burning sensation in the mouth
-
trouble in chewing, swallowing, or speaking
-
an altered sense of taste
-
a rough dry tongue
-
cracked lips, sores or split skin at the corners of the
mouth
-
an infection in the mouth
-
increased plaque (a thin film of bacteria), tooth decay
and gum disease
-
bad breath
Dealing with dry mouth, JADA, Vol. 136,
May 2005, pg 703
Treatment for
Xerostomia.
There are
some things that you can do if you are experiences a dry mouth. In some cases if it is a side effect of
medication you can ask you doctor if there is another type of medication that
you can take that doesn’t cause dry mouth.
In most cases the medications are too important to switch or stop. In that case there are some saliva
replacement options available. Alcohol
free mouth rinses, such as Biotene, are available over the counter and some by
prescription. Taking frequent sips of
water or using sugar free candy or gum can increase the secretion of
saliva. Most important is the need of
proper oral hygiene. Tooth decay can run
rampant in a mouth that is dry. Brushing
and flossing after every meal and more frequent dental cleanings can help to
keep your teeth cavity free.
If you are
experiencing any of these conditions please make an appointment and let us
help. We want your mouth and teeth to be
healthy and cavity free.
Thanks for providing the list of symptoms of xerostomia. And also the treatment of xerostomia. This will make interested a dental patient to visit a dentist. Family Dentist
ReplyDeleteRemember, if you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to keep your teeth healthy. Make sure you:
ReplyDelete1.Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day.
2.Floss your teeth every day.
3.Use toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery and drug stores have fluoride in them.
4.Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards.
5.Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. Your dentist might also suggest you use a prescription-strength fluoride gel (which is like a toothpaste) to help prevent dental decay.
causes of dry mouth