Bogrow & Associates Blog

Dry mouth increases a person’s risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth infections.

     Saliva moistens and cleanses our mouth.  It also prevents infection by controlling bacteria.  When we don’t produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable.  There are many effective treatment for dry mouth.

Symptoms of dry mouth:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Frequent thirst
• Sores in the mouth, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, cracked lips
• A dry, red raw tongue
• difficulty tasting, chewing and swallowing
• bad breath

Causes of dry mouth:

• Side effect of certain prescriptions and nonprescription drugs.  including drugs to treat pain, depression, anxiety, allergies and cold, acne, diarrhea, psychotic disorders and ashma (certain bronchodilators).

Side effect of certain diseases and infections:

• Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia
• Dystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease

Side effect of certain medical treatments:

• Radiation to the head and neck, chemotherapy

Life Style:

• smoking or chewing tobacco can effect saliva production
• continuously breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to the problem

How to treat dry mouth:

• If you think the cause could be from your medications, talk to your doctor.  He or she may adjust the dose you are taking or switch you to a different drug.
• An oral rinse to restore moisture may be prescribed.
• Medication can be given to stimulate saliva production.
• Drinking plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
• Protecting your teeth by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste
• visit your dentist regularly
• breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible
• using -over- the-counter artificial saliva substitute