What To Know About Dry Mouth
Do you wake up in the morning and your mouth feels like it is sticky and dry? If so, you are experiencing dry mouth. This is a common condition that results in a lack of saliva in the mouth. It can become a problem because saliva is needed to help rinse away lingering food and bacteria. When bacteria linger on and between the teeth as well as along the gumline, it will lead to problems, such as gum disease and tooth decay.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
There are many things that can cause dry mouth. One of the most common is a side effect from medication. You may be surprised by the number of prescription and over-the-counter medications that list dry mouth as one of the main symptoms. Another common cause is mouth breathing when sleeping. Mouth breathing cannot always be avoided, especially when you’re sick with a cold or experiencing bad allergies. If you are a mouth breather, it is important to try your best to breathe through your nose. Smoking is another common cause of dry mouth. It can seriously affect the amount of saliva that you produce.
Ways to Help Dry Mouth
There are a number of things you can do to help dry mouth. First and foremost, it is important to mention your concerns during your next oral hygiene examination. Because dry mouth makes you more prone to experiencing oral health complications, we want to monitor any changes to your oral health closely. The best thing you can do to help dry mouth is to continue to drink water throughout the day. You can also increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables with a high water content, like melons, cucumbers, and celery. Other ways to help dry mouth include:
- Using a humidifier when sleeping
- Chewing sugarless gum
- Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
- Drinking more water with meals
- Breathing through your nose and not your mouth
If you are in Burton, MI or the surrounding area and regularly experience dry mouth or need a hygiene examination appointment, be sure to contact our office to schedule an appointment.
