Billings Best Dentist Talks About Dry Mouth

By | April 23, 2016

According to Billing Best Dentist, saliva is important; it washes away food and bacteria from our teeth and gums. Without saliva our mouths develop cavities quickly, and, also, if left unchecked for a period of time, could result in periodontal disease. Obviously dry mouth is common, nerves or exercise, even dry air can have our mouths drier then we’d like, but if dry mouth persists as a symptom that you are unable to fix, make sure to visit Billings Best Dentist.

dry-mouth

A dry mouth could be a symptom of the condition Xerostomia. Xerostomia can be caused by a few different things, but a common source is prescription drug use. Drugs used to treat conditions from acne to depression can all possibly cause Xerostomia. Other issues that could bring on Xerostomia are: breathing with an open mouth, tobacco use (smoked and smokeless), and the continued intake of sugary foods. Xerostomia affects twenty percent of the elderly population, although Xerostomia is not thought to be a direct result of aging, but rather because people seem to take more prescription drugs as they age.

A person with the condition Xerostomia is a likely candidate for gum disease. Without saliva, plaque is able to remain on the teeth where it can develop into gingivitis and possibly even worsen into full blown periodontal disease.

Prevention of Xerostomia is the most important aspect of treating it. Try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth, discontinue tobacco use and the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. If the underlying cause of Xerostomia is medication then it will probably be more important to continue with the regime of medications, but those decisions should be made between both you and your doctor. Patients with Xerostomia should take an active, everyday approach to their dental health. Patients with Xerostomia should conduct daily examinations of his or her mouth, and check the gums for red or white patches, ulcers, or tooth decay. If any of these conditions are found, the patient should consult their periodontist immediately.

There are saliva substitutes that a patient can take to lubricate their mouth, although these products will not directly treat the Xerostomia, they only assist therapeutically.

If you are experiencing dry mouth, please contact Billings Best Dentist, Brian Francis DMD today!

5 thoughts on “Billings Best Dentist Talks About Dry Mouth

Comments are closed.