Have you ever stopped to think of what would happen if your mouth ran dry? Dry mouth is a condition caused by failure of salivary glands to produce enough saliva. Saliva helps to inhibit bacterial growth, avoid tooth decay and wash away debris. It also helps to digest food and aids in swallowing.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Signs of a dry mouth are, dryness and stickiness in your mouth, thick saliva, bad breath, sore throat, a dry tongue, a changed sense of taste, difficulty in speaking, swallowing and chewing and problems wearing dentures if you do.
Causes of Dry Mouth
Here are some of the things that affect saliva production in the mouth. Medication. If you are taking drugs for a preexisting condition, you may experience a dry mouth. The most common medication that cause this are anti-depressants, high blood pressure and anxiety drugs and some antihistamines.
Old age also contributes to this condition. Elderly people are mostly under medication due to different health problems. Their bodies might also lack enough nutrients.
Chemotherapy medication can affect the flow of saliva in your mouth. This can go back to normal after treatment. However, radiotherapy damages salivary glands which might be permanent.
If your head or neck is badly injured, your nerves might be affected which will result in a dry mouth. As well as some medical conditions can make your mouth dry. Some of these are, HIV, diabetes, stroke and thrush. Along with some drugs and substances like methamphetamine, tobacco and alcohol make your mouth dry out.
Dry Mouth Complications
Lack of enough saliva can lead to gum disease, mouth sores, tooth decay, increased plaque, cracked lips and poor nutrition. Visit our clinic for treatment or call us to book an appointment.
About Us - Tuscumbia, AL • Singing River Dentistry Click here to learn more about all aspects of our practice at Singing River Dentistry in Tuscumbia, AL. Singing River Dentistry, 121 E 6th St, Tuscumbia, AL 35674-2413; 256-712-2240; tuscumbia.singingriverdentistry.com; 11/19/2024; Key Phrases: dentist Tuscumbia AL;
Have you ever stopped to think of what would happen if your mouth ran dry? Dry mouth is a condition caused by failure of salivary glands to produce enough saliva. Saliva helps to inhibit bacterial growth, avoid tooth decay and wash away debris. It also helps to digest food and aids in swallowing.