Warren Dental Office Talks About Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Warren Dentist Answers Important Questions About Dry Mouth
Dr.Apsey of Warren, Michigan describes dry mouth as a condition which occurs when the salivary glands in your mouth are not working properly and not enough saliva is produced.
What causes dry mouth?
• Dry mouth is a very common side effect of a lot of prescribed medications.
• Dry mouth can also be an indicator of a serious health condition called Sjögren’s Syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease where the white blood cells attack the moisture-producing glands.
• When you are upset or under a lot of stress you may also experience the effects of dry mouth.
Is dry mouth a serious problem?
• Yes, dry mouth can become a serious risk for many reasons.
• Dry mouth can increase your chances of tooth decay, as one of saliva’s purposes is to neutralize acids and to wash away the food debris after a meal.
• Dry mouth can make it difficult to swallow, taste and chew your food.
• Dry mouth can lead to irritated and painful oral tissues due to the lack of lubrication. This is often called burning mouth syndrome and is quite uncomfortable.
Why do we need saliva?
• Saliva helps you to digest foods properly.
• It helps to protect your teeth from decay. Without saliva, we would loose teeth more rapidly
Living with Dry Mouth
• If you suffer from dry mouth, it is important to speak with your dentist and schedule visits on a regular basis. Any dental problems that arise should be managed as early as possible.
• There are ways to ease dry mouth with products such as Biotene (over the counter oral care products).
• To prevent tooth decay, Xylitol (a natural sweetener which comes in many forms including mints) is beneficial in reducing the acidity of your mouth between meals.
• It is also beneficial to speak with your primary care physician, as they can determine whether or not your dry mouth is a side effect of a more serious health condition. Your physician may also recommend a medication called Saligen, which can stimulate saliva production.
Dr. Apsey’s Recommendations for a Daily Regimen to Reduce Dry Mouth
Dr. Apsey, a trusted Warren dentist, recommends the following daily procedure to reduce the uncomfortable side effects of Dry Mouth (xerostomia):
• After your meals, floss, proxy-brush, water-pick, brush, tongue scrape and follow with Biotene rinse (do any or all that are possible for you, the more the better).
• Avoid snacks and drinks between meals, which contain sugar or acid.
• Stay hydrated. Drink 4 glasses of water per day. The water should not be sipped, but instead drink it quickly. Sipping throughout the day actually washes beneficial saliva away.
• If you are unable to floss and brush after meals, rinse with water and consider using xylitol mints (xylimelts are available in drugstores and at our office) Xylitol helps to reduce acidity in your mouth, which occurs after a meal.
• Before bed, floss, brush, tongue scrape, etc. (see above) to remove harmful bacteria from your tongue, and use Biotene gel or rinse.
• If you wake up in the night with a dry mouth, you can have a drink of water and follow with the Biotene gel and/or the Biotene rinse. This will help you to get through the night comfortably.