Most of us tend to neglect it because we were confident that every concern within our oral health is just one toothbrush away. Well, brushing is really helpful but going to your dentist for check-ups will give you new knowledge that you weren’t aware of.
We often disregard minor concerns and one of them is having a dry mouth. Most of us somehow failed to notice that it something we should take greater attention to. Dry mouth is not a severe medical problem on its own. However, it can be a sign of some potential medical condition that needs care. It may also contribute to problems such as tooth decay.
However, we are here to give you the things that you need to know about having a dry mouth and what are the causes and it’s time for you to diagnose yourself if it’s time for you to go and knock on your dentist’s door for some check-up.
1. Dry mouth: Overview
Dry mouth is sometimes referred to as xerostomia. It happens when the salivary glands in your mouth do not contain sufficiently saliva. This disorder triggers a dry or scorched sensation in your mouth. It may also cause certain symptoms, such as poor breathing, dry throat, as well as cracked lips.
Saliva is an essential part of the digestive cycle. It helps to moisten and break down food. This also acts as a system to support healthy oral hygiene, shield the teeth from gum disease, and also tooth decay.
2. What causes Dry mouth?
Some cause results in having a dry mouth. Here are the following:
Nerve damage
Dry mouth may be the consequence of nerve trauma to the head and neck due to illness or surgery.
2. Dehydration
Factors that cause dehydration, including such flu, extreme sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of blood, as well as burns, may cause dry mouth.
3. Side Effects Of Certain Medicines
Dry mouth is a common symptom among several prescriptions and nonprescription drugs, such as drugs to treat depression, anxiety, soreness, allergic reactions and colds (antihistamines or even decongestants), obesity, skin problems, epilepsy, high blood pressure (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychological conditions, urinary incontinence, asthma (some bronchodilators), as well as Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth may also be a symptom of pain medication and painkillers.
4. Smoking Tobacco
Smoking or chewing tobacco may influence how often saliva you produce and intensify your dry mouth. A lot of breathing through your open mouth may also add to the concern.
5. Mental Health Issues
Dry mouth can often be too vague to have a definite explanation, although there are several potential causes for anxiety that contribute that dry mouth. It was even probable for someone to not have a dry mouth in any sense, but to be so familiar with the way those who feel they think they do. This is a familiar problem for people with panic attacks.
6. Exercising or Playing In The Heat
Your salivary glands could become dry whenever the body's fluids get absorbed elsewhere in the body. Dry symptoms of the mouth are more probable if exercise or play continues for a long period.
3.Treatment for Dry Mouth
Your doctor will probably check for any medication you are going to take to see if it can trigger your mouth to dry. They could give a different measure of time to take or start changing your medication to control symptoms.
Your doctor can even recommend artificial saliva or even medications that improve the production of saliva throughout your mouth. Here are some of the approaches your doctor might take:
Medications
Treatment regarding dry mouth relies on a variety of factors, including whether the patient does have an underlying illness or disorder or is taking other medicines that can induce dry mouth. When a fundamental cause is identified, steps must be taken to mitigate its impact. When the sore mouth is believed to be induced by a certain prescription, the doctor may either adjust the dose or recommend another medicine which is less sufficient to cause dry mouth.
2. Stimulating Saliva Production
Medication may well be recommended to increase the production of saliva, e.g. pilocarpine (Salagen) as well as cevimeline (Evoxac).
Experts claim that indicative care with dry mouth usually requires four areas:
Boost the production of saliva
Replace missing secretions
Regulation of dental caries
Clear interventions, such as the diagnosis of infection
A person with such a dry mouth must pay close attention to oral/dental health. It includes the reduction of plaque and the prevention of gingival diseases, swelling, and dental caries. Brushing your teeth and flossing frequently is necessary.
Talk to Your Dentist About Mouth Dryness
To identify the severity of your dry mouth, your doctor will usually evaluate the medical records and any drugs you are taking, particularly over-the-counter medicines, plus your doctor will check your teeth.
Perhaps you will be required to do blood tests, checks of your salivary glands, and otherwise test to quantify how much saliva you generate to determine the cause of your dry mouth. If your doctor believes that your dry mouth is triggered by a condition known as Sjogren's syndrome, a tiny sample of cells (biopsy) might be extracted from the salivary glands throughout your lip to be submitted for examination.
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Overall, dry mouth is not always the sign of an illness. Proper dental hygiene is important for the overall health of your body. When it becomes particularly bothersome, it becomes essential to seek the advice of a medical professional.
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