Did you know that saliva is vital to the health of your teeth and gums? Saliva can help get rid of the excess food and bacteria that are left in your mouth after you eat. Saliva also helps you prevent dry mouth. When you have dry mouth, plaque and tooth decay can thrive which may even result in chronic bad breath.
Unfortunately, there are many different factors that can ultimately lead to dry mouth. Smoking and dehydration can cause dry mouth, as well as medications. For example, both prescription and non-prescription medications often list dry mouth as a side effect as they can cause a lack of saliva production. These medications may include antihistamines, decongestants, diuretics, and medication to treat depression and anxiety.
Of course, there are a few symptoms you can search for when you have dry mouth. Once you have dry mouth, your throat could also be dry—as could your lips. However, your tongue can also become redder, you could have to cope with bad breath, and you may have sores develop inside your mouth. If you notice one or more of these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to give our team at Jamie P. Choi, DDS a call right away.
There are a number of things you can do about dry mouth—though the selection you’ll need will depend on the cause of the problem. If your issue is caused because your salivary glands aren’t working, certain medications may help. However, if you choose medications, we recommend speaking with our dentist as well as your doctor. Our dentist may recommend artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.
If you think that you may be suffering from dry mouth, please don’t hesitate to contact our team. Our dentist, Dr. Jamie Choi will gladly answer any questions you may have and examine the condition of your mouth. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with us, please don’t hesitate to contact Jamie P. Choi, DDS at 408-973-8500 today!