dry mouth

Xerostomia, more commonly known as dry mouth, is a condition related to the salivary glands, which help keep the mouth moist, thus preventing decay and other oral health problems. When the salivary glands do not work properly, the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases, resulting in xerostomia. 

Understand what dry mouth is and how to alleviate symptoms.

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What Causes Dry Mouth?

alleviating dry mouth for Washington, DC patients

Prescription and over-the-counter medications are the most common cause of dry mouth. There are more than 400 medications that can contribute to mouth dryness, including antihypertensives, antidepressants, painkillers, tranquilizers, diuretics and antihistamines. Dry mouth also can be caused by radiation therapy and chemotherapy, hormonal alterations or other diseases, such as diabetes, lupus, Alzheimer’s disease and kidney disease. Other contributing factors include stress, anxiety, depression, nutritional deficiencies and dysfunction of the immune system. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, but if you often find that your mouth is dry, it could be a sign of certain diseases and conditions, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

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How Important Is Saliva?

Saliva is a natural defense for teeth and is vital to everyday processes such as tasting, swallowing, speaking and digesting. Without it, teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay and bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Human saliva is composed mostly of water, but also includes electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds and various enzymes. The components of saliva play a major role in keeping your mouth healthy by rinsing away food particles, neutralizing harmful acids and providing enzymes to help digest food.

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Unsure whether or not you have a dry mouth problem? If you’re experiencing several of the following, dry mouth may be the culprit:

Increased need to sip or drink fluids when swallowing

Difficulty speaking

Difficulty swallowing

Burning sensation or soreness in the mouth

Inability to eat certain foods

Diminished or altered sense of taste

Increased susceptibility to oral infection

Sleep interruptions due to thirst

Difficulty wearing dentures

Tooth decay

Gingivitis

Halitosis (stale or bad breath)

How Dentists Help Relieve Dry Mouth

If you exhibit any of the symptoms of dry mouth, it’s important to contact your dentist so that he or she can properly evaluate and diagnose the condition. A variety of methods are available to help patients manage dry mouth. Your dentist may recommend using saliva substitutes and over-the-counter mouthwashes, gels and sprays. StellaLife® is an all natural oral rinse that can help alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth. Ask us about StellaLife®! In addition, your dentist may suggest that you change your diet, avoiding alcohol, caffeine, smoking, citrus juices, dry foods and overly salty foods. Of course, your dentist also will recommend brushing and flossing twice a day, chewing sugarless gum, drinking plenty of water and maintaining regular dental visits.

Contact Us for Dry Mouth Relief

Are you looking for relief for your dry mouth symptoms? We can help you find the dry mouth solutions that work best for you. Contact the professionals at DC Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry to book an appointment and start on the path to relief today.

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For more information on dry mouth or to schedule an appointment, call us at (202) 363-2810 or visit our contact page.

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DC Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry provides patients with exceptional dental care. Our experienced dentists and staff strive to ensure that each visit is a pleasant experience. We are proud of the relationships we have established with our patients over the years and thank them for their loyalty and trust. To see what our current patients have to say about our comprehensive dental services, check out our reviews! 

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