When you have dry mouth, you know how annoying it can be.
When you have dry mouth, you know how annoying it can be. Whether you feel like your mouth is full of cotton or sandpaper, it’s unpleasant enough that you need to do something about it. But where do you start? Sometimes, drinking water might not be enough, even though it’s important to stay hydrated.
What Causes It?
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. This problem comes from not having enough saliva in your mouth. When you don’t have enough saliva, all the food and drinks you have taste funny, and you’ll also have trouble with simple tasks such as talking or swallowing. You need to stimulate how much saliva you have in your mouth because even though you might think this is gross, the alternative is worse. What might that be? Well, for one thing, there will be more bacteria hanging around in your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay, infections, and teeth falling out.
What Are Some Symptoms?
Now that you know a little more about what causes dry mouth, you might be wondering what some of the symptoms are. If you’re feeling thirsty all of the time, then that is one symptom. Another symptom is when your lips are chapped. Do your lips and mouth burn or tingle? Those sensations are another sign that you have dry mouth. One last symptom to look out for is bad breath.
Tips for Prevention
The most common reason for dry mouth is that you’ve simply been breathing through your mouth. This habit, whether it’s unconscious or not, causes a whole bunch of problems for your oral health. Here are some ways you can prevent dry mouth or help relieve the associated symptoms whenever you feel some discomfort.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Next, chew on some sugar-free gum or pop in some sugar-free breath mints. Try adding some mouthwash into your oral care routine. Stop drinking caffeine, or cut back, especially at night right before bed. Lastly, keep some water by your bedside in case you wake up thirsty. If that doesn’t help, then you might need to see your doctor to discuss next steps.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest.