From keeping your mouth moist to fighting cavities, saliva serves many functions. However, a sticky feeling in your mouth, problems swallowing food, chronic bad breath, and diminished taste can all point to decreased production of this essential substance. To improve your comfort and prevent painful dental issues, below is a brief introduction to why dry mouth develops and how you can treat it.  

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Health conditions and side effects of medication can impair salivary gland function, causing dry mouth. People on chemotherapy, pain, or mood disorder medication, for example, might experience changes in saliva production. Radiation treatment can also harm salivary glands, as can the autoimmune disorder Sjögren’s syndrome, which causes the immune system to fight the glands. Lifestyle choices, such as smoking cigarettes, can exacerbate dry mouth problems as well.

How Does Dry Mouth Affect Dental Health?

If your salivary glands can’t produce enough saliva, it could kick-start a range of additional oral health issues. Saliva is like your body’s built-in mouthwash. When you swallow food and beverages, it helps prevent residue from sticking to tooth enamel and gums. Saliva also neutralizes acids that cause tooth and gum damage. Without the substance, grime could remain in your mouth, contributing to plaque buildup. Tartar can form over time, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

What Are Your Treatment Options?

Luckily, there are several steps you can take to stop dry mouth. During an exam, your dentist will ask what medications you’re taking and take scans of your salivary glands to determine why saliva production is so low. For treatment, they might recommend changing the conditions that cause dry mouth. This could include switching to medications without this side effect. They might prescribe medications that prompt saliva production. To make up for the lack of saliva, they might recommend rinses and other oral care products that keep the mouth moisturized.

At home, drink more water for added moisture and stay away from caffeine and alcohol, as they cause dehydration. To combat cavities and tooth decay caused by dry mouth, you can also use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. The mineral will protect teeth from any acid saliva would otherwise neutralize.

If you’re struggling to find relief from dry mouth, contact the caring, friendly professionals at iCare Dentistry. Based in Norcross, GA, the team provides orthodontics and family dentistry services to improve the comfort and overall health of patients throughout Gwinnett County. Whether you need dental fillings for cavities or a prescription mouthwash to treat an underlying problem, they’ll get you on track to a healthy, bright smile. To schedule an appointment, call (770) 609-6106. Visit the dentist online to learn more about their treatment options.