Dry Mouth Relief
If you have ever experienced dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, you may have had trouble talking, felt your lips were chapped, visibly noticed your tongue was white or even coughed. Dry mouth is actually a symptom and not a specific disorder. It occurs when there is not an adequate flow of saliva to lubricate your oral tissues and cleanse the mouth.
When people experience dry mouth on a consistent basis and it goes untreated, xerostomia may give way to potentially serious health problems. Left untreated, dry mouth may result in oral yeast infections, spreading tooth decay, chronic bad breath and other issues.
Dry mouth is commonly caused by prescription or over-the-counter medicine like pain killers or decongestants. According to the American Dental Association, dry mouth is listed as an adverse effect of more than 400 medications! Fortunately, whether the cause of your dry mouth may be from medication or other reasons, it can be relieved with some simple remedies.
Try sugar-free gum or candy – to help stimulate the saliva flow
Drink frequent sips of water throughout the day
Use alcohol-free oral rinses
Reduce or limit the amount of caffeinated or alcoholic beverages
Brush your teeth two times per day for at least two minutes
Floss at least once per day to prevent and get rid of plaque
Finally, visit us here at Shane McDowell Dentistry for your regular dental checkups. If you are experiencing dry mouth, let us know about which medications you may be taking which could help identify a solution to your dry mouth symptoms. For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, please visit our website at www.myfortmyersdentist.com or call (239) 936-0597.