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Why You Must Never Ignore A Dry Mouth?

By Smile Studio Dental / April 16, 2021

Dry mouth, medically termed ‘Xerostomia’, is the situation when there is no sufficient saliva to keep the mouth wet. Saliva performs an essential role in maintaining your proper dental health. A dry mouth may be a little frustrating but could do major damage to your teeth. It may also be painful. 

What Causes Dry Mouth?

    • Excessive stress, severe panic attack, or depression
    • Smoking or drinking 
    • Autoimmune disorder or Sjogren’s syndrome
    • Harm to the nerve because of a head or neck injury
    • Chemotherapy 
    • Dehydration
    • Radiation 
    • Sleep apnea
    • Aging
    • Specific drugs 
    • Diseases such as diabetes, HIV, Parkinson’s, or Periodontitis

Why should you never ignore its symptoms?

  • Saliva not only keeps your mouth clean but also fights against bacteria. It washes off the acids that lead to tooth decay.

When you get a dry mouth during the night, you’re allowing room for harboring bacteria inside your mouth. With a lack of saliva, your teeth slowly get exposed to cavities and infections.

  • A dry mouth also leads to everlasting bad breath. 
  • Deficient saliva makes the skin in and around your mouth dry as well as hard. Your lips may crack. It may also become difficult to swallow and talk.
  • A dry mouth can interrupt your taste buds. You may feel a metallic, salty taste inside your mouth. Your tongue can become dry and rough.
  • The saliva helps ease your digestion. It assists to break down food particles into simpler forms. 

Your digestive system may also suffer due to a lack of saliva. Especially, when you swallow your food, you may face difficulties, as they are not broken down properly.

  • You may find red spots inside your mouth. You can also have ulcers due to dry mouth.
  • When the food reaches your stomach, the food may contain bacteria. This may lead to food poisoning and other serious dental infection.
  • The glands of your ears, also known as parotids, may get swollen.
  • Note- A dry mouth may also be a symptom of serious oral cancer
  • Dentures are painful. Dry mouth and dentures never go together. If your mouth is dry, the dentures may result in sores.

When Should I See My Dentist?

If your dry mouth at night is persistent or begins when you start taking new medicines, then visit your dentist. Your dentist may suggest an alteration to that dosage.

You may also get medications to enhance the functions of your salivary glands.

Seek instant dental help if you have a dry mouth along with other serious symptoms. They may be

a) difficulty in breathing and swallowing or

b) high fever.

Prevention

  • Go for regular dental checkups
  • Brush and floss daily
  • Use an antibacterial mouth-rinse 
  • Stay hydrated all day long
  • Chew sugar-free gums to boost saliva production
  • Get a humidifier to add additional moisture to the air

Get the Help you need!

If you are having trouble with dry mouth, and seeking a Dentist in Denver, CO, then surely visit us at Smile Studio Dental. Let us help you with the top-notch dental care that you deserve!