Everything You Need to Know About Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia, which is a common condition among adults. It occurs when there is a lack of saliva that can cause oral health issues like cavities, gum disease, and oral infections. When there is a lack of saliva, it makes it difficult for us to chew, eat, or swallow our food. It can also lead to dry or cracked lips, bad breath, and altered tastes.
In this article, we will study dry mouth and why it takes place due to lack of saliva. So, if you want to know more about such details, you must stay tuned with us in this article. Additionally, if you are facing any dental issues in Hunt Valley, you should consult cosmetic dentistry in Hunt Valley, MD, which will help you solve your problems.
What is Dry Mouth?
A dry mouth is a situation in which you can have a lack of saliva to conduct normal dental activities. It can cause various other problems in the mouth, such as oral infections and cavities. People who have a lack of saliva may have a diminished quality of life, which can range from mild discomfort to significantly higher levels of tooth decay and gum disease. Thus, if you are facing any such issues, it is better to consult a doctor and find a permanent solution to your problems.
What are the Most Common Causes of Dry Mouth?
- Dry mouth can be caused due to some systemic diseases such as diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome.
- It can also be caused by cancer chemotherapy and head and neck cancer radiation treatments.
- This dry mouth can also be caused due to vitamin deficiency and conditions including depression, schizophrenia, hyperthyroidism, and Parkinson’s disease.
- If there is dehydration, anxiety, mouth-breathing issues, smoking, and vast amounts of alcohol consumption, then there is a high probability of dry mouth.
- In some cases, the side effects from certain types of medications can also cause dry mouth situations, and therefore, you must be careful of such causes to save yourself from dry mouth.
What are Common Symptoms of Dry Mouth?
Some of the common symptoms of dry mouth are hoarseness and sore throat, increased thirst, trouble in speaking, difficulty in chewing, dry and cracked lips, bad breath, mouth sores, taste alterations, thick and ropy saliva, and burning sensations of the tongue and the lips. These are some of the common symptoms of dry mouth, and if you find any of them in your case, you must consult a doctor.
What is the Treatment of Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth can be treated through medications, and you have to take additional care of your body. Doctors will ask some medical questions, and once they are sure of the causes, they will provide medications accordingly to treat the dry mouth issues.
