Everyone has experienced dry mouth at one point or another, especially after sleeping with your mouth open all night or maybe your nose is stuffed, forcing you to breathe from your mouth. However, dry mouth, at times, can be a chronic and a very uncomfortable condition.
Dry mouth and oral health
Your saliva contains bacteria-fighting properties so when the saliva production becomes low, your oral health may start deteriorating. There will be certain problems that you might start facing such as –
- Difficulty in eating and swallowing
- Experiencing burning sensation in your mouth
- Mouth and tongue sores
- Severely cracked or chapped lips
- Chronic bad breath
- Increased risk of suffering from gingivitis and gum disease
Causes of dry mouth
Transient dry mouth problems may occur if you sleep all night with your mouth open or your nose is stuffed. A few other reasons for having a dry mouth are –
- Your salivary glands aren’t functioning properly, due to stress, anxiety, or aging
- It can be a side-effect of certain medication prescribed to you or any health condition that you are suffering from
- Due to dehydration,
- Deficiency of vitamin C.
It is essential to know what the source of your dry mouth is. If it is just because your nose is congested, then your dry mouth will subside eventually or if you are on a temporary prescription that is causing you a dry mouth, it will subside. However, if you cannot identify the cause of your dry mouth, you should visit your dentist to identify what might be the reason.
Treating the problem of dry mouth
Dry mouth can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying, but you can take measures to protect your teeth and gums and find comfort.
- Drink plenty of water. Keep a bottle with you and keep taking enough small sips several times per hour.
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Have sugar-free breath mint
- Use a mouth spray or moisturizing swab
- Increase your intake of vitamin C
- Use fluoride mouth rinse during your bedtime.
The tips that we have mentioned above work for both chronic and temporary dry mouth problems. If you are suffering from dry mouth and would like more information contact Expressions Dental™ Clinic in Calgary. Make an appointment by calling at +1 (403) 252 7733.