Saliva is required to protect your teeth from decay, prevent bacterial infections, and help you digest food. Dry mouth, while common, poses a number of issues. At Nizich Family Dental, the dentist and his team are dedicated to improving their patients’ oral health. Here, this Juneau, AK, practice explains what you need to know about dry mouth’s causes, side effects, and treatment options.

A Dentist’s Guide to Dry Mouth

What Causes It?

Dry mouth is a possible side effect of many different medications, including those used to treat high blood pressure and mental health issues. Other causes include diabetes, nerve damage, and tobacco and alcohol use. Even simple aging can result in a lack of sufficient saliva. 

What Are the Possible Complications?

Dry mouth may only feel uncomfortable at first, but it can cause several complications if left untreated. For example, you may be more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease because saliva isn’t washing away the bacteria that contribute to both. You may also experience mouth sores, yeast infections, cracked lips, and trouble chewing and swallowing, which can lead to poor nutrition.

What Are the Symptoms?

People with dry mouths often experience bad breath because bacteria isn’t being washed away. You may also be hoarse or constantly have a sore throat. You may even notice a dry, rough tongue, cracked lips, or trouble speaking or swallowing.

How Is It Treated?

To counteract the lack of saliva, it’s important to sip water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. You may also want to sleep in a room with a humidifier. This increase the moisture content of the room and will prevent you from waking up with a dry mouth. Chewing on sugar-free gum can help increase saliva production during the day. Finally, there are different medications that can help if the issue is severe.

If you’re suffering from dry mouth, your dentist can help. At Nizich Family Dental, the emphasis is on providing you with the best possible oral care. This family dentistry has been helping patients with routine and emergency dental care since 2007. Their experienced team of professionals also uses the latest technology to ensure the best results. For more information, visit the website. You can also call (907) 789-7001 to make an appointment.