Saliva lubricates and disinfects the mouth, assists in digestion, protects the teeth from decay by washing away plaque, and keeps the mouth comfortably wet. Healthy people usually produce 1-½ pints of saliva a day. When the production of saliva slows or stops, however, the mouth can feel dry and uncomfortable and both eating and speaking can be difficult. Dry mouth condition, or Xerostomia, is more than just a matter of comfort: Health issues such as infection, gingivitis, thrush, and tooth decay can arise when saliva production is insufficient.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Lifestyle factors like smoking, chewing tobacco, or mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth condition. Nerve or salivary gland damage or chemotherapy can also lead to dry mouth. More commonly, dry mouth or Xerostomia is a side effect of either medications or health conditions. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs for allergies, hypertension, asthma, urinary incontinence, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and others can cause dry mouth. Medical conditions such as HIV, Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis, and diabetes can have the same effects.

Treatments for Dry Mouth

Our Los Angeles dentist can help you pinpoint the cause of your dry mouth and determine what treatments may help relieve your discomfort. Sucking on sugar-free gums and candies, sipping water throughout the day, using a vaporizer, and breathing through the nose are all simple but effective solutions.

If you continue to have difficulty, our dentist in Los Angeles can help you determine if more aggressive treatments should be considered. If your medications are implicated, your dosage may need to be adjusted. Our dentist may also prescribe artificial saliva to help keep your mouth comfortable and healthy.

Source: Dentist Los Angeles

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