It is a condition in which the glands which produce the saliva are not functioning properly to keep the mouth wet.
Do I have dry mouth?
Does your mouth feel dry really often and it doesn’t go away even when you drink a lot of water. Are you looking for the reasons and what can be done to do it better? Then please do keep reading forward.
What causes dry mouth?
- Medications: Some of the drugs taken by patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension or respiratory disorders could lead to dry mouth.
- Undergoing cancer treatment: Radiotherapy treatment of the head and neck region can cause damage to the salivary glands and cause decreased production of saliva.
- Injury to the salivary glands: Sometimes the duct of the glands get blocked or infected which eventually causes decreased and painful saliva production.
- Dehydration: Reduced intake of water is the most common factor for dry mouth.
- Tobacco: Smoking and chewing tobacco increases the chances of dry mouth.
- Exercising in heat: Excessive workout in the heat can cause dehydration which leads to dry mouth.
- Diseases: Some of the anxiety or depression disorders together with Parkinsonism, Alziehmers and Sjogren’s syndrome causes dry mouth.
To know the exact cause of your dry mouth we recommend that you book your appointment with Dr. Rajat Sachdeva the best dentist in Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
What to expect with dry mouth?
If you have dry mouth you can expect the following:
- Bad breath
- Cracking of lips
- Cracking of corner of the mouth
- Increased need to take water specially at night
- Speaking problem
- Increased chances of tooth decay
- Sore throat
- More gum diseases
- Irregular taste
- Difficulty in swallowing food
How can we prevent dry mouth?
Dry mouth also called as xerostomia is a condition that needs proper care by the dentist suggested by Dr. Rajat Sachdeva. Please come and visit us at Dr. Rajat Sachdeva’s Dental Institute at Ashok vihar to get the care needed for you.
However we need to take care of the following things:
- Proper water intake
- Chewing gums with xylitol
- Salivary substitutes ( liquid or gel form )- artificial substitute for saliva
- Mucosal lubircants- are artificial agents which help in keeping the mouth wet
- Salivary stimulants- drugs which help in production of saliva
- Healthy diet intake
- Maintain humidity in the room at night time
Complications of dry mouth
- Dry mouth leads to the following complications which are:
- Increased chances of dental caries.
- Increased chances of gum diseases.
- Mouth sores and ulcers.
- Burning sensation while eating food.
- Difficulty in swallowing food.
