A reduction of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common problem, especially among older people. At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry, we can help with this condition.
A dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, it can cause tooth damage. Saliva is required to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acids that can cause plaque. Extensive decay can occur in the absence of saliva for dental patients with chronic dry mouth.
Symptoms of dry mouth include:
- Dry, red, or grooved tongue
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Sticky feeling in the mouth
- Saliva that seems thick and stringy
- Bad breath
- Problems chewing, speaking, and swallowing
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty wearing dentures (Mayo Clinic)
Contributing elements include medications and treatments, reduction in the body’s power to metabolize medication, chronic health issues, and poor nutrition.
For example, chemotherapy medication can reduce saliva production, and radiation treatments to the head and neck can damage salivary glands, decreasing saliva production.
Other medical problems include diabetes, stroke, or yeast infection in the mouth.
Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Comstock Park) are some of the medications that can result in dry mouth.
It is common for allergy-prone Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry dental patients to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the hay fever season.
The following can also contribute to dry mouth:
- Snoring or breathing through the mouth
- Drinking alcohol
- Tobacco use (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco)
- Recreational drugs
If you experience dry mouth, it’s important to pay special attention to your dental health. The first step is to talk to a professional. Call Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry to schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Hull.
