Dry mouth can be an extremely uncomfortable and frustrating sensation that doesn’t seem to go away. While it’s normal for patients to experience dry mouth on occasion, if it persists, it’s important to visit our dentist in Cary, Il to get to the root of the issue.
Is It Dangerous?
Dry mouth isn’t only uncomfortable, but it can be a red flag that something is wrong with your overall health, too. Dry mouth results from your saliva glands not being able to produce enough moisture to keep your mouth properly lubricated. Saliva plays an important role in neutralizing acid in your mouth and washing away leftover food particles. Dry mouth can result in bad breath and cavities if it isn’t addressed in a timely manner.
Four Common Causes
There are four common causes that are linked to dry mouth.
- Medications: Certain medications list dry mouth as a side effect. Unfortunately, the list of medications is lengthy. From anxiety medication to blood pressure medications, dry mouth can be a common side effect. Make sure to read the labels on your medications and never stop taking a medication without speaking with your doctor first.
- Tobacco and alcohol: Substances like tobacco and alcohol naturally have a drying impact on the mouth. For many, drinking alcohol or consuming tobacco is commonplace, causing their mouth to continuously feel dry. Stopping completely or at least cutting back on your consumption can significantly improve your dry mouth.
- Mouth breathing: Some people only breathe through their mouth if their nose is too stuffy due to allergies or an illness. However, some people naturally breathe out of their mouth, resulting in persistent dry mouth.
- Diseases or health issues: Certain diseases are linked to dry mouth as well. Examples include HIV/AIDS and diabetes.
How We Can Help
Our dentist in Cary, Il can recommend specific mouthwashes or over-the-counter artificial saliva moisturizers to help you combat dry mouth. You can also chew sugarless gum, drink plenty of water, breathe through your nose when you can, and limit your intake of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
For additional information about dry mouth, please contact our team to schedule your next appointment.
