Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth are not producing enough saliva to keep your mouth wet (also known as xerostomia, pronounced zeer-o-STOE-meuh). Dry mouth is frequently brought on by a side effect of some medications, aging, or radiation therapy for cancer treatment, according to your Summerlin dental practice. A condition that affects the salivary glands directly can result in dry mouth, however this is a rare occurrence.
By neutralizing bacterially produced acids, limiting bacterial growth, and washing away food particles from the mouth, saliva helps to prevent tooth decay. Saliva also enhances taste perception and facilitates the easier chewing and swallowing of some foods. Additionally, saliva contains digestive aiding enzymes.
Dry mouth and reduced salivation can sometimes be minor inconveniences, but in other situations, they can have a serious impact on your general health, the condition of your teeth and gums, as well as your appetite and enjoyment of food.
Depending on the underlying cause, dry mouth can have different treatments.
SYMPTOMS
If your saliva production is insufficient, the following signs and symptoms may be present all the time or the majority of the time:
Additionally, dry mouth can make lipstick stick to the teeth, which is not a good thing.
When should you schedule a dentist appointment in Summerlin?
If you have persistent symptoms or signs of dry mouth, please make an appointment with your doctor. Without the benefit of a dental exam, you may not be able to observe for yourself how many other difficulties or linked issues are connected to your dry mouth, such as rotting teeth.
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What might be the possible causes?
A: You will suffer a dryer mouth if your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. These glands could malfunction properly for the following reasons:
Which prescription drugs induce a dryer mouth?
A: Dry mouth has been connected to hundreds of medications, including numerous over-the-counter remedies. There are some drugs that are more prone than others to cause problems. These medicines include antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers, as well as those used to treat anxiety, high blood pressure, and depression.
Does aging naturally result in a dryer mouth?
A: As we frequently observe in our Summerlin Dental practice, a big percentage of the population experiences dry mouth as they become older. Along with the use of particular pharmaceuticals, other variables that contribute to this syndrome include changes in the body's ability to metabolize medication, inadequate nutrition, and long-term health issues.
What about chemotherapy for those with cancer?
A: The kind and volume of saliva produced may change as a result of chemotherapy medicines. It's likely that this is a temporary condition, and that after the therapy is over, normal salivary flow will resume. Saliva production may be significantly reduced as a result of salivary gland inflammation brought on by radiation treatments to the head and neck. This could be either temporary or permanent, depending on the radiation dose and the area that was treated.
Does nerve damage result in a dry mouth?
A: A head or neck injury or surgical procedure that damages your nerves could be the reason of your dry mouth.
Do any other medical conditions contribute to dry mouth?
A: A number of medical conditions, including diabetes, stroke, oral yeast infection (thrush), Alzheimer's disease, and autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's syndrome and HIV/AIDS, can lead to dry mouth. Some drugs may also be the culprit. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open while you sleep can make dry mouth worse.
What about using tobacco and drinking alcohol?
A: Consuming alcoholic beverages, smoking, or chewing tobacco might make dry mouth symptoms worse.
A: The recreational use of substances that are unlawful.
A: Methamphetamine use can cause the illness known as "meth mouth," which can also cause extreme dry mouth and tooth decay. As a side effect, marijuana can also cause drying mouth.
Issues that could arise
You may notice the following signs of inadequate saliva and a drying mouth:
Dry Mouth Solution in Summerlin
In Summerlin, Summerlin Dental Solutions Dr. Marianne Cohan can help you find solutions to your dry mouth problems. Give us a call today to find out how.
