Symptoms And Causes of Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Most people have a dry mouth at some point in their lives. It is normal to have a dry mouth from time to time because of dehydration and nervousness. However, if you are having a persistent dry mouth, it is highly likely that there is an underlying problem. You have a dry mouth when your salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva. There are a lot of things that can lead to this. Here are some of the causes of dry mouth in Fallbrook that you should know:
- Blocked nose
When your nose is blocked while you are asleep at night, you will be forced to breathe through the mouth. Breathing through the mouth for a long period of time leads to mouth dryness. You have to take steps that will help you unblock your mouth to prevent mouth dryness that is as result of breathing through the mouth.
- Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that makes the sugar content in your blood go higher than the normal levels. This prevents the normal production of saliva into your mouth. Not being able to produce saliva or the production of inadequate saliva leads to mouth dryness.
- Medication
There are certain medications that can lead to mouth dryness. Examples of medications that can make your mouth dry include diuretics, antidepressants and antihistamines. Take your time to read the labels on your medications. Find out whether dry mouth has been listed as one of the side effects of using the medication.
- Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment. When it focuses on the areas in the neck and in the head, it can cause inflammation of the salivary glands. This leads to a reduction in the production of saliva.
- Sjögren's syndrome
When you have this condition, your immune system attacks the salivary glands. This attack damages the salivary glands making them unable to produce enough saliva.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Saliva is important not only for digestion but in keeping your mouth healthy. There many symptoms that indicate that you have a dry mouth. The symptoms include:
- Having dry lips
- Feeling a burning sensation or soreness in your mouth.
- Recurrent mouth infections e.g. recurring oral thrush.
- Facing difficulty when eating or swallowing
- Decreased sense of taste.
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Bad breath
- Difficulty speaking
How to deal with dry mouth
You have to talk to doctor or dentist as soon as possible to know all the causes of dry mouth Fallbrook if you think that you are suffering from a dry mouth. A medical professional will assess your situation and come up with the best treatment plan. There are few things that you can do by yourself that can help you reduce the severity of the problem. These things include;
- Increase the intake of fluids. Drink plenty of water and other sugar free drinks.
- Suck ice cubes. This will help you to moisten your mouth.
- Reduce the intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- Quit smoking.
- Chew sugar free gum and suck on sweets that are sugar free.
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