When A Dry Mouth is More Than Just Being Thirsty

Is Your Mouth Desert Dry?

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics.  Without the cleansing effects of saliva, tooth decay and other oral health problems become more common.

Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include a constant sore throat, burning sensation, problems speaking, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or dry nasal passages. Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive decay can occur.

Dry mouth is a potential side effect of numerous medications (prescribed and over-the-counter). Among them are antihistamines, decongestants, painkillers, high blood pressure medications, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, Parkinson’s disease medications, antidepressants and many others. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection.  Patients using oral inhalers for asthma often develop oral candidiasis, an oral fungal infection, and are encouraged to rinse their mouths with water after using the inhaler.

We Can Help!

Our expert dental team at Grove Smiles Dentistry located in Coconut Grove, FL  is ready to help and recommend various methods to restore moisture and lead your mouth to its mouth watering oasis.

Tags: Coconut Grove Dry Mouth Treatment, Coconut Grove FL Dentist, Dental Hygiene Coconut Grove, Dry Mouth Coconut Grove FL

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 7th, 2015 at 10:48 am and is filed under Dental Articles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.