Dry Mouth Syndrome – What to Do When Your Mouth Feels Like a Desert

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, not only feels uncomfortable but puts your teeth at risk as well.  One of the roles of saliva is to keep teeth rinsed clean and when it is lacking your risk of developing cavities can increase dramatically.

Patients who come to us complaining of a dry mouth are usually older adults so it is possible that saliva may simply decrease as we age.  However, there are other potential causes as well:

• Medications- dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescribed medications
• Diabetes – frequent urination, dehydration, and a dry mouth are symptoms of this disease
• Sjogren’s Syndrome – an autoimmune disease that attacks saliva glands

If your mouth is feeling more dry than usual:

Talk to Your Doctor – if you have not had a recent diabetes screening, your doctor may want to arrange a blood sugar test.  They can also go over your medications with you and may have alternative prescriptions to offer.

Check Your Habits - smoking, alcohol, and caffeine all contribute to a dry mouth and eating or drinking sugary foods will double your risk of cavities.

Try These Possible Solutions – be sure to drink 8 glasses of water a day.  Sipping it slowly throughout the day often diminishes the discomfort. Sugarless gum and candies can stimulate saliva and bring relief and there are also prescriptions and products for saliva loss.

See Your Dentist Regularly – get regular dental exams and professional cleanings.  Let us know if your mouth is feeling dry as we often have other solutions or prescription medications that may help. 

Midlife, Menopause and Your Oral Health

As women move into midlife they begin to experience hormone changes caused by menopause and perimenopause.  This decrease in estrogen is famous for causing hot flashes, mood swings, and a number of uncomfortable symptoms.

What you may not know is that these hormone changes can also impact your oral health.  Regular dental exams and professional teeth cleaning are even more important as your hormone levels decline.

The following conditions are commonly associated with menopausal women:

Dry or Burning Mouth – decreasing saliva production can lead to an uncomfortable feeling of dryness or burning that can also alter taste. 

Cavities – saliva plays an important role in cavity prevention and as it decreases your cavity risk goes up.

Periodontal Disease – reduced hormone levels increase the risk of inflammation and gum disease.  Periodontal gum disease is an infection that can get into your blood stream easily and research has linked it to many serious medical conditions, making its prevention a priority.

Receding Gums – hormone changes can also make gums more vulnerable to recession.  When they recede, new areas of your teeth are exposed to cavity causing bacteria.These gumline cavities happen where teeth are narrow and the nerve is close by, increasing your risk of pain and tooth loss.

Bone Loss – osteoporosis can put your teeth at risk the same way it does bones throughout your body.  Teeth are held in place by bone and when it is diminished they no longer have the support they need to stay in place.

If you are experiencing midlife hormone changes, it is especially important to stay current with all recommended dental visits, including exams and professional cleanings.  Your teeth and health may depend on it.

Our goal is to help you prevent what you can and catch any other challenges as early as possible, while they are still relatively easy to resolve. 

If you have any concerns or are looking for a great dentist in the Rocklin area, we would love to help. Give us a call! (916) 624-3119

Chewing Sugarless Gum Can be Good for Your Teeth

Chewing gum is no longer about just blowing bubbles, it is about protecting your smile too. 

• When you don’t have a tooth brush handy chewing sugarless gum can help clean your teeth after a meal or snack.  The action of chewing natural wipes away the remaining food debris.
• Most sugarless gums contain xylitol, which also helps control certain types of bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and can be especially useful for people who are cavity prone. 
• The act of chewing increases the amount of saliva in your mouth.  Saliva is another natural tooth cleanser and people whose mouths are dry are more likely to get cavities.  Chewing gum can also help relieve the uncomfortable feeling that comes with a chronically dry mouth.

So, go ahead.  Get that pack of gum and start chewing.  Just make sure it is sugarless…

Why Does My Mouth Feel So Dry?

We often see patients who feel there is not enough saliva in their mouths.  The dryness can feel very uncomfortable and contribute to an increase in cavities and other dental problems. 

What could be making your mouth feel dry? 

The most common causes include:

• Medications – dry mouth is a common side effect
• Age – we see more cases of dry mouth in older adults
• Diabetes – frequent urination and dehydration are common with this disease
• Cancer, radiation, and chemotherapy
• Sjogren’s Syndrome – an autoimmune disease that attacks the saliva glands

What steps should you take if you or someone you love is suffering with a dry mouth?

• Check medication side effects and talk to your doctor
• Get screened for diabetes
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and smoking
• Sip water regularly and make sure you are drinking at least 8 glasses per day
• Chew sugarless gum or try sugarless candy
• Try artificial saliva products
• Talk to your dentist or doctor about possible prescription solutions
• See your dentist regularly as you may be at high risk for cavities and other dental problem

For dental assistance in the Rocklin, CA area, call: (916) 624-3119