A decline of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common problem, especially among older men and women. At Town and Country Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Center, we can help you deal with dry mouth in Missouri.
A dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, it can cause tooth damage. Saliva is needed to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acids that can cause plaque. Extensive cavities can arise 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 ability to metabolize medication, chronic health dilemmas, 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 conditions include diabetes, stroke, or yeast infection in the mouth.
Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Florissant) are some of the medications that can result in dry mouth.
It is common for allergy-prone 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 are plagued with dry mouth, it’s critical to pay special attention to your dental health. The first step is to talk to a professional. Call Town and Country Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Center to schedule an appointment with Dr. Martin Buchheit.
Contact Town and Country Cosmetic Dentistry and Implant Centers:
314-576-0088
LOCATION (TAP TO OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS):
14377 Woodlake Dr Ste 205
Chesterfield, Missouri
28036
