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If your salivary glands aren’t producing enough saliva, you might suffer xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Not only does this cause a persistent, uncomfortable feeling of dryness in your mouth and throat, but it can also make you more susceptible to a cavity. Understanding what causes dry mouth can help you identify the problem and prevent tooth decay before it starts.

A Brief Guide to Dry Mouth

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Any number of factors can impair the function of your salivary glands, leaving you without enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. In most cases, dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications, especially those used to treat depression, high blood pressure, and allergies.

Age-related medical conditions and poor nutrition can also cause dry mouth, along with cancer treatments and tobacco use. Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and other medical conditions can also trigger changes in the body that result in dry mouth.

How Does Dry Mouth Lead to Cavities?

cavitySaliva is your body’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria, which excrete acid that can wear away at your tooth enamel. If your salivary glands aren’t producing enough, a tooth can quickly get infected even if you practice good oral hygiene.

Without treatment, a severe cavity can result in discomfort, bad breath, and tooth loss. In severe cases, patients might even develop mouth sores, yeast infections, and painful cracks at the corners of the lips.

Is There a Treatment for Xerostomia?

The first step in treating dry mouth is identifying and treating the root cause. If the symptoms are related to medication, your doctor may be able to prescribe another medicine that doesn’t have the same side effects. Sipping water or sucking ice cubes throughout the day can also alleviate your symptoms.

Many people also find relief by chewing sugar-free gum, which can stimulate saliva production. Because the causes of dry mouth vary so widely, talk to your dentist or doctor right away.


 

With offices in Onalaska and Trempealeau,WI, the Dental Clinic of Onalaska offers a broad array of services, from cavity fillings to full denture sets. Their primary dentist has been serving patients throughout the area since 1993, and takes the time to give your teeth the individual attention you deserve. Visit the website for an overview of their dental services. To get in touch with their Onalaska location, call (608) 783-3341 or dial (608) 534-6195 for their office in Trempealeau.

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