Oakland Dentist Discusses Causes and Treating Xerostomia

If you haven’t heard of Xerostomia, it simply refers to the condition of dry mouth. There are multiple reasons why someone would experience Xerostomia. Here are some things you’ll want to know.

 

One of the most popular causes of Xerostomia is when a person undergoes radiation or chemotherapy. With that said, there are plenty of other reasons as well. Sometimes, it’s in relation to an autoimmune disorder while other times it’s just from hormonal changes. In addition, things such as infections or diabetes affect the production of saliva. On top of all that, many medications list dry mouth as a side effect.

 

This reduction leads people to experience many difficulties. Some common symptoms include:

• Trouble chewing properly

• Speech impairments

• Problems tasting foods

• Issues with swallowing

• Increased chance of tooth sensitivity, oral infections and tooth decay

 

Some symptoms are mild and barely noticeable while others become incredibly uncomfortable. A dry mouth that’s left untreated leads to compromised health, reduction in healthy food consumption and lower quality of life. It also leads to cavities and dental complaints.

 

Treatment of Xerostomia

 

Once you’ve been evaluated by your Oakland dentist, you have several treatment options to alleviate the discomfort of Xerostomia. 

 

Oftentimes, saliva substitutes are helpful to battle dry mouth effects. You can also use a sugar-free gum to encourage a healthy increase in saliva production. Make sure you continue to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to keep your teeth clean. This helps to maintain a healthy smile while trying to increase the saliva production. 

 

You’ll also want to consider:

• Drinking some additional water

• Avoiding hot and spicy foods

• Eating sugar-free candies

• Avoiding any tobacco or alcohol products

 

Depending on how severe your situation is, you might want to consider some other options. Your dentist will be able to discuss these with you in further detail. The first step to alleviating dry mouth symptoms is to make an appointment for a checkup. Together, you can look for the cause which will help lead you to the solution. Then, you can begin down the path to recovery.