The Treatment of Chronic Dry Mouth - And Why It’s Important
Virtually everyone knows what it’s like to wake up with a dry mouth, lips cracked and tongues sore and swollen. Fortunately, most people are able to drink a glass of water or two and feel like their normal selves again. For people with chronic dry mouth, however, the condition follows them around day in and day out, with only temporary relief at best.
Although many people don’t realize this, modern restorative dentistry offers solutions to an array of oral health problems beyond those involving the teeth and gums. Indeed, at the dental practice of Jean E. Barthman, D.D.S., in Redwood City, dry mouth treatment of the highest standard is available to our valued patients. And it offers advantages that go well beyond eliminating that terrible, annoying feeling that accompanies dry mouth - advantages that may surprise you.
Did you know that dry mouth is potentially hazardous to your health?
That’s right. In addition to being irritating and inconvenient, chronic dry mouth can be dangerous to your oral and overall health if left untreated. Your body relies on the healthy production of saliva, not only for such tasks as chewing, swallowing, and speaking, but also for keeping the mouth clean and healthy. Saliva is an excellent natural cleanser, effectively ridding the mouth of bacteria, acids, and particles of food. If you produce an inadequate amount of saliva, you are significantly more vulnerable to enamel erosion, cavities, tooth decay, root canal infection, gum disease, and other serious oral health problems. In the long term, chronic dry mouth due to inadequate saliva will almost certainly result in tooth loss.
When should you seek treatment for dry mouth?
If you experience dry mouth only once in a while, you probably don’t have much to worry about. Obviously, you should attend your regularly scheduled, twice-yearly dental appointments, but you don’t need to worry about seeking immediate treatment. However, you should schedule an oral examination with Dr. Barthman if your dry mouth lasts for several days and you experience:
Persistent thirst that is difficult or impossible to quench
- Bad breath
- A sore throat
- Sores on the inside of your mouth and tongue
- Hoarseness
- Problems with swallowing
- A dry, red tongue
In addition to exhibiting these symptoms, dry mouth can actually be symptomatic of a more severe issue such as oral cancer. Ultimately, chronic dry mouth is not something to take lightly.
How does Dr. Barthman treat dry mouth?
As with any condition, Dr. Barthman tailors treatment plans for dry mouth to the unique needs of the individual patient. Therefore, she can prescribe your treatment only after examining your mouth and diagnosing the causes of your dry mouth. Possible clinical treatments include topical applications of fluoride, prescription-strength mouth rinses, and special tablets or gum that promote the production of saliva.
She may also suggest that you make lifestyle changes and practice healthy oral habits at home. If you smoke, she will recommend that you avoid all tobacco products going forward. Likewise, if you drink alcohol, she will advise you to reduce your intake or give up drinking altogether. Other possible recommendations include:
- Drinking more water
- Consuming less caffeine
- Sucking on hard, sugar-free candy
- Discussing with your doctor the possibility of replacing medications that cause dry mouth
- Visiting a specialist for the treatment of underlying health disorders that are beyond the scope of general dental care
Learn More about Treatment for Dry Mouth
To learn more about treatments for chronic dry mouth, please contact the general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry practice of Dr. Jean E. Barthman today.