Dental Notes
Posts for tag: xerostomia
Things to Avoid to Eliminate Dry Mouth
In our final post on dry mouth, Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD, will look at some things you can eliminate to help minimize dry mouth. Previously, we have discussed what dry mouth is, some of the common causes, and ways to relieve dry mouth. Below, we offer some suggestions of things to avoid to minimize dry mouth:
- Avoid consuming alcohol. Alcohol dehydrates your body which leads to dry mouth.
- Avoid consuming large amounts of caffeine. Like alcohol, caffeine dehydrates your body, which leads to dry mouth.
- Avoid fruits and juices that contain a lot of citric acid.
- Avoid foods that are high in sodium.
- Avoid tobacco products.
In addition to these things, you should try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.
While dry mouth is annoying, it can lead to more serious problems like severe tooth decay and gum disease. It has been found that nearly 30% of cavities in adults can be attributed to dry mouth, per the Oral Cancer Foundation. All this considered, if you start to spot the signs and symptoms of dry mouth, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine what is causing your dry mouth, and explore ways to relieve your dry mouth.
Dr. Samuels, and his entire team, hope that our blog series on Dry Mouth can help you maintain good oral health. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team, feel free to contact us today.
What are Common Causes of Dry Mouth?
In our last blog post, Dr. Samuels in Rockville, MD, introduced dry mouth, and why it can be so harmful to your oral health. In order to identify dry mouth, and begin finding relief, it is important to identify what might be triggering your dry mouth.
Below, we outline several common causes of dry mouth:
- Medications
- Diseases like anemia and diabetes
- Chemotherapy
- Nerve Damage
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Excessive caffeine consumption
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Any of the above can be a cause of dry mouth. However, the medications you are taking are usually the biggest culprit. Below, Dr. Samuels lists what types of medicine have dry mouth as a side effect:
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Analgesic (painkillers)
- Diuretics
- Hypertension medications
- Decongestants
Unfortunately, if you are experiencing dry mouth as a result of medications, you may not be able to avoid this. Due to this, Dr. Samuels will provide some ways to find relief in our next blog post. If you you like to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
What is Dry Mouth?
Do you find yourself getting thirsty a lot? Maybe the inside of your mouth feels sticky, or your saliva gets thick or foamy. If any of these are true for you, you may be suffering from dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. If you do, don’t worry; you are not alone! 
Dry mouth is surprisingly common, as over 25% of people suffer from this ailment. Dr. Samuels and his entire team takes great pride in doing all we can to ensure our patients in the Rockville, MD area have their mouths in great health. Unfortunately, dry mouth is a common condition that can have many negative affects on your dental health. Below, Dr. Samuels begins a discussion on what dry mouth is, what some common causes of dry mouth are, and ways you may be able to find some relief.
First, it is important to understand what dry mouth is. Dry mouth is a shortage of saliva or insufficient salivary flow. When you suffer from dry mouth, your saliva production is being stunted by some sort of outside force. A group of people that is more likely to suffer from dry mouth are the elderly.
Why is dry mouth a problem for your dental health?
Saliva serves many important functions in defending your mouth from a variety of diseases and health problems. If you are not producing enough saliva, the side effects can be both annoying and damaging. Dry mouth has been connected to gum disease, an increase in cavities, tooth sensitivity, and diabetes.
In our next blog post, Dr. Samuels will discuss a few of the common causes of dry mouth. Please stay tuned to our blog, follow us on Twitter, and Like us on Facebook to stay engaged and improve your dental health!
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