Dry as a Desert: Why You May Be Experiencing Xerostomia
Does your mouth fail to produce enough saliva even at the sight of your favorite dish?
Do you often experience bad breath even when your mouth is as dry as the Sahara desert?
These symptoms can result from a condition known as xerostomia, a very common condition that's usually observed in aged adults. This blog summarizes the causes, symptoms, and home remedies to ease xerostomia.
What Is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia, simply known as 'dry mouth,' is a condition that arises when the salivary glands within the mouth fail to produce enough saliva required to keep your mouth wet. The absence of saliva can result in the following health complications.
Not only does saliva help in food intake, but it also lubricates it so that it experiences a smooth journey from your mouth to your stomach
The absence of saliva gives the bacteria in your mouth a green signal to produce as much acid as they want, resulting in early tooth decay.
Decreased saliva production can have longstanding effects not only on your mouth's health but also on your appetite and digestion.
Mouth sores and chapped lips can be a sign of xerostomia.
Who Is At Risk?
Xerostomia is usually observed in elderly citizens. However, it can also be seen in young people on certain medications such as antihistamines, diuretics, anticonvulsants for hyperactivity in the brain, and anti-depressants.
Moreover, cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy can also experience xerostomia for a certain amount of time.
In some cases, certain diseases and infections can also trigger xerostomia. Patients who have Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, HIV, anemia, and even some diabetes patients can experience the symptoms of xerostomia.
Other Common Symptoms of the Xerostomia
Other common symptoms of xerostomia include:
Persistent thirst
Inflammation of tongue or mouth
Mouth Sores
Sticky or thick Saliva
Bad Breath
Trouble in chewing or swallowing food
What Can Be Done To Treat It?
The right treatment can only be provided by a dentist after a thorough inspection of your mouth. The doctor will likely prescribe the use of moisturizing mouth rinses and even change your medication that's causing a dry mouth.
Furthermore, at-home remedies can be done to help ease the symptoms of a dry mouth.
Keep yourself hydrated
Chew gums to stimulate the production of saliva
Switch on a humidifier to keep the mouth hydrated
Limit coffee or tobacco intake as these can induce dryness in the mouth
When to Get in Touch With a Dental Practitioner?
If you have been experiencing signs of a dry mouth and constant bad breath, xerostomia might be behind these symptoms. Schedule an appointment with the dental practitioners at Water Front Family Dentistry for a thorough check-up.
Our experienced Indian Dentist in Frisco will properly diagnose the condition, the causes behind it, and provide the right treatment for it. Call us at 972-987-4343 to schedule an appointment today!
