A decline of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common dilemma, especially among older individuals.
Dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, it can cause tooth damage. Saliva is required to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acids that can cause plaque. Extensive cavities can occur in the absence of saliva for dental patients with chronic dry mouth.
Symptoms of dry mouth include:
- Dry, red or grooved tongue
- Persistent sore throat or hoarseness
- Sticky feeling in the mouth
- Saliva that seems thick and stringy
- Bad breath
- Struggles chewing, speaking and swallowing
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty wearing dentures (Mayo Clinic)
Contributing elements include medications and treatments, reduction in the body’s ability to metabolize medication, chronic health issues and poor nutrition.
For example, chemotherapy medication can curtail saliva production and radiation treatments to the head and neck can damage salivary glands, decreasing saliva production.
Other medical ailments include diabetes, stroke, or yeast infection in the mouth.
Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers (all used extensively in Toms River) are some of the medications that can lead to dry mouth.
It is common for allergy-prone Rotem Dental Care dental patients to complain of dry mouth when they start taking antihistamines during the hay fever season.
The following can also contribute to dry mouth:
- Snoring or breathing through the mouth
- Drinking alcohol
- Tobacco use (cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco)
- Recreational drugs
If you suffer from dry mouth, it’s important to pay special attention to your dental health. The first step is to talk to a professional. Call Rotem Dental Care to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ronen Rotem.
Contact Rotem Dental Care:
732-341-8500
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
180 Route 37 W
Toms River, New Jersey
08755