News

Dry Mouth

Xerostomia or dry mouth is caused by decreased saliva flow. This may be caused by systemic diseases (such as rheumatoid conditions, immune systems disorders such as AIDS, hormonal disorders such as diabetes, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease), by biological aging, and medications (such as decongestants, diuretics, anti-depressants, and antihistamines). Some medical treatments such as radiation therapy also can permanently damage the salivary glands making it hard to eat, swallow, taste and speak. You can lessen the effects of dry mouth by drinking lots of water and avoiding sweets, tobacco, alcohol and caffeine.

In certain cases, a lack of saliva can make your tongue become very sensitive, causing a condition called burning tongue syndrome.

Symptoms of dry mouth are:

Burning sensation of the tongue
Difficulties eating especially dry foods
Speech difficulty
Persistent thirst
Difficulty wearing dentures
Dry, cracked lips and corners of the mouth
Impaired taste

Heavy plaque and food accumulations tend to occur with dry mouth, and with the lack of saliva bathing and cleansing teeth. Therefore those with dry mouth are often more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Without constant saliva flow to remove food, debris, and plaque from tooth surfaces and to neutralize acids, the tooth surface becomes more vulnerable to attack from germs.

To lessen the effects of dry mouth, try these simple steps:

Frequently sip water
Chew sugarless gum
Use a saliva substitute
Establish a great home care program to get food, plaque, and debris off the teeth
Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and foods high in sugar and starch

Advanced Dental Concepts
Richard D. Hopgood D.M.D., M.A.G.D.
296 Lowell Street
Andover, MA 01810
Telephone: 978-475-2431
Email: info@andoverdmd.com