Sheridan Dentist Explains the Condition of Dry Mouth

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DroughtSticky and dry might be an appropriate state of being for a post-it note, but this is not a feeling you’d want in your mouth. If you have dry mouth, you may find yourself parched with thirst and battling sticky saliva that is a purely unpleasant viscosity. Dry mouth also often goes hand-in-hand with bad breath. Do you feel like your mouth is not the moist and pleasant environment it should be? Perhaps something is wrong. Your Sheridan dentist, Dr. Donald Coon, would like to tell you more about dry mouth, and how to deal with it. 

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is more of a laymen’s term for the clinical condition of xerostomia. When you aren’t producing ample saliva for various reasons, you may have the chronic condition. Amongst the common factors that often cause salivary deficiency are:

  • Stress
  • Hormonal changes from times of life such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause
  • Snoring or sleep apnea
  • Open-mouthed breathing
  • Healthy conditions such as HIV/AIDS
  • Diabetes
  • Side effects of radiation, chemotherapy, or various prescription medications

Dealing with Dry Mouth

None of us are immune to occasionally insufficient salivary balance within the eco-system of our mouths. Sometimes something as simple as a cold or allergies can make your mouth and throat feel dry as a bone. If you have xerostomia, however, the chronic dryness in your mouth can lead to cavities. This is because your saliva helps to rinse food particles from your mouth so bacteria do not have as much fuel to create lactic acid. Symptoms that might point to dry mouth would include:

  • Mouth sores
  • Split or cracked skin in the corners of lips
  • Burning or tingling sensation in your mouth
  • Red or raw tongue
  • Hoarseness
  • Sore throat
  • Chronic bad breath (halitosis)

You may be able to avoid or remedy dry mouth by drinking more water, chewing sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production, staying away from highly spicy or salty food, or even sleeping with a humidifier. However, if the condition lasts a long time or seems too severe to bare, be sure to contact your Sheridan dentist for an examination.

Visit your Sheridan Dentist

Don’t let a stressful life stop you from going to for regular checkups with your Sheridan dentist. To schedule a consultation with your Sheridan dentist by contacting our 82801 dentist office at (307) 672-7567. We welcome patients from Sheridan, WY and the surrounding communities.