Remedy Your Dry Mouth

Dry mouth, medically termed xerostomia, occurs when there is not enough saliva in the mouth to be beneficial. Saliva has many important roles in the mouth. Not only does it help you swallow and speak comfortably, but saliva also helps to wash away food particles, acids and harmful bacteria from your teeth and gums. Without this protection, you become more vulnerable to bad breath, decay and gum disease. Dry mouth, therefore, is an oral condition worth fixing.

To treat dry mouth, it is important to determine its cause. There are many reasons why xerostomia develops, ranging from medications and nutritional deficiencies to stress and more. At Green Dental of Alexandria, we will work hard to pinpoint the cause of your dry mouth and offer a long-term solution.

In the meantime, here are some easy steps you can take at home to stimulate saliva production and help relieve your dry mouth symptoms:

• Drink Water
• Suck on Sugar-Free Candies
• Chew Sugar-Free Gum
• Opt for Decaf (caffeine contributes to dryness)
• Breathe Through Your Nose
• Use a Humidifier While Sleeping
• Quit Smoking (cigarettes slow down saliva production)
• Rinse with a Dry Mouth Alcohol-Free Mouthwash
• Consider Over-the-Counter Saliva Replacement Products
• Get Your Vitamins (when dry mouth is due to oral health issues)

Take your dry mouth seriously. It’s not just an uncomfortable or disruptive oral health condition. In fact, untreated dry mouth can cause halitosis, cavities, yeast infections, gingivitis, and improper denture fit. In some cases, you can even suffer changes in the way you taste and speak.

Do you need more spit in your mouth? At Green Dental of Alexandria, we can address your dry mouth condition. Call our caring dental team today to learn your treatment options!