How to Diagnose and Treat Dry Mouth

A dry mouth in certain people is a medical condition also sometimes known as xerostomia. This is when the salivary glands in the mouth fail to produce sufficient saliva to keep the mouth wet.

The dentist in Toluca Lake states that this condition may be caused by a side effect of some medications. It may also be a result of aging or at times an after-effect of cancer radiation therapy.

How Does Dry Mouth Cause Dental Problems?

Saliva is what helps to keep tooth decay at bay because it neutralizes the acids produced by mouth bacteria. Besides that, saliva helps wash out lodged food particles thereby restricting the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
Less production of saliva resulting in a dry mouth can have an impact on the health of our teeth and gums. This is because if the mouth isn’t sufficiently wet, it makes room for bacterial growth to thrive.

How to Diagnose Dry Mouth?

The dentist at Toluca Lake would be able to help determine whether you suffer from the condition. For this, it’s important to visit your dentist’s office regularly, at least every six months. Besides that, you can look for the following symptoms of dry mouth:

• Dryness or stickiness in the mouth
• Your saliva feels thick and stringy
• Persistent bad breath
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing and speaking
• Dry or sore throat and hoarseness
• Dry tongue
• Change in taste/bad taste in the mouth
• The problem in wearing dentures (if you do)
• Lipstick sticking to the teeth

If you notice any of the above symptoms, report to your Toluca Lake dentist immediately. Timely diagnosis can help correct the problem and prevent further impact on oral health.

Treatment for dry mouth at Toluca Lake

Your dentist would be able to prescribe the appropriate line of treatment after determining the exact cause of dry mouth. For instance, they may ask you about current or past medications that you’ve been taking. If they feel that any of these medicines are causing your mouth to dry, they may suggest putting them on hold.
Besides that, they may also change the medications at times to help prevent the problem.

Your dentist in Toluca Lake might also recommend the use of certain products to keep your mouth moist. Some examples include mouth rinses, artificial saliva, or moisturizers for mouth lubrication.

There are also some mouthwashes designed particularly for dry mouth, which also prevent tooth decay. Ask your Toluca Lake dentist for such recommendations. In the case of a severe case of dry mouth, the dentist may prescribe medication to trigger saliva production. Most important, you need to take care of oral hygiene at all times. Try and prevent cavities in the mouth by brushing and flossing daily, using mouth rinses, and visiting your dentist regularly.

Other simple remedies that your dentist may recommend to help prevent dry mouth are:

• Sip water regularly throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.
• Chew sugar-free gum to help prevent cavities.
• Try breathing through the nose and not through the mouth, especially during the night. Ask your dentist if you snore in sleep which causes breathing through the mouth.
• Use a room humidifier to add moisture to the air at night.
• Keep your lips moist by using lip balms and treat dry or cracked lips.

If you wish to seek treatment for dry mouth at Toluca Lake, call 818-483-9077 to book an appointment with our dentists. Visit the My Dentist Toluca Lake dental clinic to seek consultation on the best option in your case. The team would only be happy to help.