Dry Mouth Syndrome – Advice For Our Burton Patients
Why a dry mouth may cause more than just an unpleasant feeling.
Most of us will have experienced a dry mouth from time to time. In most cases, it is easily rectified through drinking water or may even naturally go away on its own as we take in moisture from food etc during the day.
Occasional instances of dry mouth should be of little concern, but, if this is a regular occurrence or continues for any period of time, the consequences may be more serious.
Saliva flow
Saliva is important for a number of reasons. It contains enzymes which help in the breaking down and digesting of food. From an oral health perspective, it is important in helping to flush away gingival bacteria in the mouth. Although these bacteria are always present, providing that there is sufficient saliva flow, this, along with regular brushing and interdental cleaning ensures that they are kept under control.
Where saliva flow is reduced, and especially with a dry mouth, the bacteria that are usually managed, will start to increase in numbers and may become problematic, potentially leading to gingivitis or worse, periodontitis; both forms of gum disease. As we have mentioned in previous blogs, if not treated, these can even lead to eventual tooth loss, or be a threat to dental implants if you have them.
Causes of dry mouth
There are many factors which can lead to a dry mouth. The most well known is probably the consumption of alcohol. This should not be too problematic though if your consumption is light and occasional. Other factors can be medical problems such as type 2 diabetes or HIV. Some prescription medications may also have dry mouth as a side effect.
Treating dry mouth
Living with a dry mouth for any period of time is not conducive to good oral health, but there are a number of things to look out for to prevent it, and also a few pieces of advice below to help you restore the saliva flow in your mouth.
● Ensure that you are well hydrated, and try to drink water before you are really thirsty.
● Reduce or stop your consumption of alcohol. This is a well known cause of dehydration. If you do drink alcohol, make sure that you drink plenty of water before going to bed at night.
● Stop smoking. A dry mouth is just one of the reasons for doing this, oral cancers and slower healing of wounds in the mouth are just a couple of the others.
● If you have a dry mouth as a side effect of a prescribed medicine, do not stop taking them, but see your doctor who may be able to prescribe an alternative.
These are some of the most obvious solutions, but you should also make sure that you visit your dentist or hygienist for regular checks in case your dry mouth has created any oral health issues, in particular, gum disease.
To arrange an appointment at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, or to see the hygienist here in our Burton dental clinic, please call us today on 01283 845345.