Oral health is a crucial indicator of your overall health. When our mouths are not healthy, then it can lead to other issues. One of the most significant problems for many people is dry mouth. There can be a variety of reasons why dry mouth occurs. Here are some of the causes of dry mouth and what you can do to counteract it, as well as when you should see a dentist.
What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is when your mouth does not produce enough saliva. Symptoms of dry mouth can include dry lips, burning sensation or soreness, oral thrush, bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, a decreased sense of taste, and even difficulty speaking. Many individuals use over-the-counter options to treat occasional dry mouth, which can include oral rinses. However, if it is chronic, then it might be worth checking in with your Fallbrook dentist about the other options available.
Without the right amount of saliva, the acids in your food and drinks will not be neutralized. Thus, they can contribute to increased bacteria and tooth decay. Plus, you might also be dealing with digestive challenges resulting from a lack of saliva. Therefore, making sure you have the right amount of saliva is key to protecting your oral health.
What Can Cause Dry Mouth?
There are a variety of reasons that can contribute to your dry mouth symptoms. One of the simplest ones is a blocked nose. After all, if you have a cold or allergies, your blocked nose means you are more likely to sleep with your mouth open. Thus, it dries out your mouth. Taking steps to get your nose unblocked can ease your dry mouth symptoms.
Cancer treatments can also contribute to dry mouth. Diabetes, which makes your blood sugar content increase, can prevent normal saliva production. Medications being used to treat other conditions can also dry out your mouth or decrease saliva production. Sjogren’s syndrome can attack your salivary glands, damaging them and thus reducing your saliva production significantly. All of these different causes can be addressed, either by working with your dentist, doctor, or medical professional.
Steps You Can Take
Even before you first talk with your Fallbrook dentist about your dry mouth, there are a few steps you can take to address it. First, start by decreasing the number of sugary beverages you have daily. After all, sugary drinks can decrease saliva production, so cutting them out could give you immediate improvement.
Secondly, increase your water intake. Often, just doing these two things can bring an improvement in your dry mouth. Another option for short-term relief is to suck on ice cubes. Not only do they provide moisture, but they also trick your mouth into thinking you are eating, and then that increases saliva production. Along with that, consider chewing sugar-free gum or sweets. Again, the idea is that you trick your mouth into naturally producing saliva.
Finally, you want to reduce your alcohol and caffeine intake, as well as quit smoking. All of these activities can contribute to dry mouth. However, keep in mind that these are simple solutions. If your dry mouth is persistent or resulting in sores and infections, then you should reach out to your dentist or doctor. They can review your medications and other health conditions to determine what other adjustments might be necessary to address your dry mouth issues.
If you are concerned about your dry mouth or are experiencing other oral health symptoms, our Fallbrook dentist team can provide a consultation and dental care options to determine what might be the cause and the options available to you.
Gernot Winkler, DDS, is dedicated to serving clients with general and family, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Located in Fallbrook, Dr. Winkler sees patients throughout San Diego County including neighboring cities such as Fallbrook, Bonsall, Rainbow, and Temecula.