Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common dental concern. It is an especially common problem among patients over the age of 50. Dry mouth may be caused by any number of factors, including medications, illness, disease, nerve damage, and chemotherapy or other radiation therapy.

Saliva plays a big role in your oral health and overall wellness. Working to protect your tooth enamel, it breaks down food particles and helps you chew and swallow. A lack of saliva increases your risk of developing cavities and can prevent you from receiving proper nutrition. This makes dry mouth a serious problem for your oral health.

Common symptoms of dry mouth include:

• Dry or sticky feelings in the mouth and throat
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing or tasting food
• A burning sensation in the mouth
• Cracked lips
• A dry or rough tongue
• Oral infection
• Bad breath

When you visit our office, our dentists will examine your mouth to determine the cause of your dry mouth and create a treatment plan. To alleviate dry mouth at home, we recommend that you:

• Sip water or other sugarless drinks frequently
• Make sure to drink water at your meals
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine
• Chew on sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candies — this will help stimulate saliva flow
• Avoid tobacco products
• Avoid drinking alcohol
• Use a humidifier at night
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing daily and keeping your dental appointments

If you have any questions about dry mouth or would like to schedule a consultation, give our office a call! Our team will be happy to speak with you.