Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, sometimes called “xerostomia” in medical terms, is a disorder characterized by a lack of saliva or a decrease in saliva flow. Because saliva plays such a vital part in digestion and oral health, the implications of xerostomia can be serious.

Within your mouth, three pairs of main salivary glands and hundreds of tiny salivary glands create about 2-4 quarts of saliva every 24 hours. Saliva, which is made up of 99 percent water and 1% electrolytes, enzymes, and proteins, washes over the teeth and soft tissues to clean and protect them from germs, tooth decay, and gum disease. Saliva also helps to keep the mouth lubricated and pleasant, making it easier for food to travel through the mouth for chewing, tasting, and swallowing.

Saliva deficiency makes simple oral functions more difficult and increases the number of germs in your mouth. Bad breath, dental decay, gum disease, and various oral illnesses are all caused by an increase in microorganisms.

Common Reasons That Can Lead To This Problem Are:

• Dry Mouth
• Medication
• Cancer Treatment
• Use Of Tobacco
• Dehydration
• Other Diseases

What Is The Treatment For Dry Mouth?

The best way to treat dry mouth is to figure out what’s causing it in the first place. If it occurs as a side effect of a certain prescription, your doctor may be able to prescribe an alternative. Dry mouth may respond to medicines that improve salivary flow in some circumstances. Artificial saliva can be used to keep the mouth moist and lubricated if natural saliva is not available. A prescription-strength fluoride gel may be recommended by the dentist as an extra layer of protection to prevent tooth decay. Patients can assist ease some of the effects of dry mouth by drinking more water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol-containing beverages. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on a sugarless sweet might also assist in promoting saliva flow. It’s critical to see the dentist on a regular basis if you have a dry mouth.