Have you ever heard of Xerostomia? It’s just the fancy name for dry mouth that’s caused by a lack of saliva. It can happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes, when you’re feeling nervous you can get that dry sensation in your mouth. Certain medications can also cause dry mouth. Or, maybe you’re just thirsty! We all experience it from time to time, but if you feel like it’s happening more than what’s normal for you, it’s important to schedule an appointment so we can take a closer look.
Dry mouth typically isn’t a cause for concern, but it can be super annoying. Not only that, saliva helps control bacteria and fungi in the mouth, so we want to make sure we address any issues before it becomes a bigger problem. If we do sense that something is abnormal with the amount of saliva you’re producing, we can find a solution and get you feeling more like yourself in no time!
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Patients will often describe their mouth as feeling dry or “sticky” with saliva that feels stringy or thick. Sometimes it will cause the throat to feel dry or sore as well. Other signs to watch for are bad breath, difficulty swallowing, affected speech, a change in the way foods taste, and for women, it might cause lipstick to stick to the teeth more often. Dry mouth impacts up to one in four adults, with 86% of sufferers experiencing these annoying symptoms every single day.
What We Recommend
At Cosmetic Dental Center of Baltimore, we typically recommend a dry mouth rinse such as Biotène® Dry Mouth Oral Rinse. They also make other products like toothpaste, gel, and spray, which you can find in many big box stores and pharmacies. Biotène® is composed of lubricants and moisturizers to keep your mouth less like the Sahara and more like the Caribbean! By using a dry mouth oral rinse, you are helping to prevent tooth decay and bad breath, which of course, we think is very important. We still encourage anyone experiencing dry mouth symptoms to come in for a check-up so we can make sure there’s nothing going on that we need to be concerned about.
Other Ways to Find Relief
If you’re unable to come in immediately or get ahold of a good oral rinse, there are a few things you can do to alleviate your symptoms. Of course, you should be drinking a lot of water, and you can also chew gum or suck on some sugar-free candy to encourage saliva formation. Breathe through your nose rather than the mouth and use a humidifier while you sleep to help moisten the air. Avoid drugs, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, and smoking.
If you’re suffering from occasional or frequent dry mouth, give us a call so we can set you up with an appointment. You can reach us at (410) 486 – 5678. For added convenience, you can also schedule an appointment online! We just want to make sure you get back to living your best life as soon as possible. We’re here to help!
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