Dry Mouth - Is It a Sign of a Deeper Problem?
Can Dry Mouth Show a Deeper Underlying Problem?
A dry mouth is also called xerostomia, and it is something many people experienced in their lifetimes. But did you know that it might be a sign of an underlying condition? It is also possible for a dry mouth to cause even more problems in your mouth.
And before you are in need of dental sealants and various other dental services, it would be ideal if you discovered dry mouth causes. Here is all you need to know about the causes of dry mouth, possible reasons why it might happen, as well as some dry mouth remedies that can help you until you consult your doctor.
About Dry Mouth
Having a dry mouth is something that everyone experiences from time to time. But what happens if the condition appears regularly? In some cases, it is a sign of dehydration, anxiety, and so on.
But if a person is dehydrated, the condition will disappear after they drink water. If the condition is persistent, it can be a sign of an underlying problem. And of course, you should address it as soon as you notice it.
Is It Something To Be Worried About?
As mentioned earlier, having a dry mouth from time to time is not a big deal. The problem is when the situation continues to manifest on a regular basis. And there are many different reasons why someone might have a dry mouth.
Fortunately, there are also many ways to treat dry mouth, but you will first need to know what caused it. And the only way to know that with certainty is to visit your doctor. Of course, if a person is dehydrated, they will probably be aware of it.
And it is not something that happens on a regular basis.
What Causes Dry Mouth
The reason why the mouth gets dry is that salivary glands do not produce enough saliva according to this experienced dentist in Downey CA. It can be caused by dehydration, and if a person doesn’t drink enough water, saliva production will be affected.
But at the same time, it can be a side effect of several medical conditions as well. There are many different types of medications that can cause this problem. Most commonly, antidepressants, diuretics, and antihistamines can be a problem, and you should check the leaflet to see whether it is one of the possible side effects.
Other conditions include a blocked nose, radiotherapy (to the head and neck), diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, and others. But it can also be triggered by oral health.
Oral Hygiene and Dry Mouth
Saliva is a crucial element for your oral health, and it can lead to other problems as well. This is also the reason why you should focus on solving the problem as soon as possible to avoid potential issues in the future.
One of the first things you might experience is dry lips, but also a burning sensation in your mouth, as well as soreness. It can also affect your sense of taste and lead to halitosis or bad breath.
But the biggest problem is that it might lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If you experience any of these dry mouth symptoms, the first thing on your list should be to talk to your doctor or dentist.
Needless to say, ignoring the problem will only worsen the situation. Dental cavities can easily lead to tooth loss, and you will have even more problems you will need to worry about. While tooth decay is treatable, it is always easier to fix the issue at the early stages.
How To Get Rid of Dry Mouth
The main problem with dry mouth is that to solve the problem, you will need to address the underlying condition. If there is any. And to do that, you will need to let your doctor try and find the cause of the problem.
In the majority of cases, addressing the cause will help with other symptoms as well. One of the examples is medication, and if that is the source of the trouble, the doctor can recommend an alternative that will solve the dry mouth problem.
However, there are still a couple of things you can try as well. The first one on the list is to increase your fluid intake. Try sipping water whenever you feel that your mouth is getting dry, and you can also drink unsweetened drinks too.
Furthermore, you can try chewing sugar-free gum. Besides sugarless gums, there are other sugar-free candies and sweets you can try out as well, and they can stimulate glands in your mouth to produce more saliva.
Many people report how sucking ice cubes can also help with the situation as the ice will melt slowly and keep your mouth hydrated. At the same time, you should avoid alcohol, anything with caffeine, tobacco-based products, and anything else that can make things even worse.
And avoiding alcohol also includes mouthwash products that contain this substance.
What To Do
The first thing to do is to consult your doctor or dentist. While the remedies for dry mouth mentioned here can be a good idea, they won’t cause any harm. Drinking more water is always a good idea, and the same applies to avoiding alcohol. But for anything more serious, you will need to talk to a professional.
If none of the methods help, you should know that it is possible to find saliva substitutes and stimulants. These might be available in a form of gel, spray, or lozenge, and your doctor will give you a prescription if needed.
Keep in mind that there is no universal solution, and the treatment will be based on the underlying problem. But even then it might not be suitable for everyone. And this is why you should talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
But until then, you can try any of the mentioned homemade remedies for dry mouth, and they might be able to make the situation a bit better.
