Is Dry Mouth Syndrome An Issue for You? Tips & Tricks
Dry mouth syndrome or xerostomia refers to a condition where your salivary glands in your mouth cease to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. A sensation of dry mouth can result from the side effects of certain medications, aging issues or results from radiotherapy for cancer treatment. Less often, dryness could also be caused by medical conditions that directly affect the salivary glands.
Saliva helps prevent dental caries by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria, reducing bacterial growth and loosening and removing food particles from your teeth. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and assists us in our chewing and swallowing. In addition, enzymes found in saliva aid our digestion.
Decreased saliva and mouth dryness can range from being merely an inconvenience to something that encompasses a major impact on your general health and therefore the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your appetite and taste of food.
To determine the reason behind your mouth dryness, your doctor likely will review your medical history as well as many of the medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, and examine your mouth for dryness.
Infrequently you may also need blood tests or imaging scans of your salivary glands that measure the amount of saliva you produce. These tests further aid in an accurate diagnosis. If your doctor suspects your dryness is caused by a condition called Sjogren's syndrome, a simple sample of cells (biopsy) taken from specific salivary glands in your lip could also be sent for testing.
Treatment
Your treatment depends on the reason behind your mouth dryness. Your doctor or dentist may:
Change medications that cause dry mouth. If your doctor believes medication to be the cause, he may adjust your dosage or switch you to another medication that doesn't cause mouth dryness.
Recommend products to help moisturize your mouth. Some examples may include a prescription or store bought mouth rinses, artificial saliva or moisturizers to help moisturize your mouth. Mouthwashes designed for mouth dryness, especially ones with xylitol, have been found to be helpful, like BioteneOral Rinse - specifically for dry mouth or Act Mouthwash.
If you've have a more severe case of xerostomia, your doctor or dentist may:
Prescribe medication that stimulates can stimulate saliva production. Examples of said prescriptions include pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac).
Protect your teeth. To help prevent cavities, your dentist might impress your teeth for fluoride trays, which you fill with fluoride and wear over your teeth at nighttime. Your dentist can also recommend weekly use of a chlorhexidine or Peridex rinse to regulate cavities.
At home remedies that your doctor may suggest include:
Sip water or sugar-free drinks or suck ice chips throughout the day to help moisten your mouth, and drink lots of water during meals to assist chewing and swallowing.
Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard treats. Products like these contain xylitol and can also help prevent cavities. Be aware, however, in some people, xylitol, which is usually found in sugar-free gum or sugar-free candies, may cause gas or diarrhea if consumed in larger amounts.
Try to utilize store bought saliva substitutes that contain xylitol: Examples include Mouth Kote or Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray, or that contain carboxymethylcellulose (kahr-bok-see-meth-ul-SEL-u-lohs) or hydroxyethyl cellulose (hi-drok-see-ETH-ul SEL-u-lohs), like Biotene OralBalance Moisturizing Gel.
Try breathing through your nose, not your mouth. You may want to seek treatment for snoring if it causes you to breathe through your mouth when you’re sleeping.
Add moisture to the air at nighttime with a space humidifier.
Moisturize your lips to relieve dry or cracked areas.
Avoid products that can make your symptoms worse. These include:
Caffeine and alcohol. These products will cause dryness and irritation. Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
All tobacco. If you smoke or chew tobaccok you should consider stopping because tobacco products dry and irritate your mouth.
Store bought antihistamines and decongestants. These can worsen your dry mouth.
Sugary or acidic foods and candies. These increase the risk of tooth decay. Also try avoiding spicy or salty food because they will cause irritation.
Saliva is very important in maintaining the health of your mouth and especially your teeth. Taking these steps to safeguard your teeth can also help your dry mouth condition
Brush with a fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth frequently. Ask your dentist if you’re a candidate for prescription fluoride toothpaste, toothpaste containing betaine, or a tooth gel to neutralize the acidic insults your teeth are experiencing.
Use a fluoride rinse and or tooth brush fluoride gel before you sleep.
See your dentist semi-annually to have your teeth thoroughly checked and plaque removed, this will help prevent dental caries.
A quick visit with your dentist and physician and following some of the suggestions above may alleviate much of your dry mouth symptoms. Increasing salivary flow to your mouth is a good way to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
At Elevation Family Dental we strive to keep your teeth healthy and strong. Dry Mouth can be treated and addressed to keep your smile intact. Early detection and prevention is important to protect your smile. If you are experiencing a dry mouth, don’t hesitate to call and make an appointment to further discuss with Dr. Chamberlain some ways you can prevent and treat your condition.
