Many factors can cause dry mouth. You may be nervous or under stress, or it could be caused by the medication you’re taking. Whatever the reason, dry mouth can be uncomfortable, and it can also have major consequences for your oral health. That’s because saliva helps protect against tooth decay by washing away food and debris from the teeth and gums. It also neutralizes harmful acids and makes it easier to swallow. If dry mouth is a concern for you, read on. There are ways to find relief:
- Increase your fluid intake. Drink water regularly or suck on ice chips to keep you hydrated and help produce saliva.
- Chew gum. An easy way to help relieve dry mouth is to chew sugar-free gum, especially after you’ve had something to eat or drink. Chewing gum stimulates saliva flow and helps wash away excess food from your teeth.
- Avoid caffeine. Drinking coffee, tea and some sodas can cause dehydration and lead to dry mouth.
- Use mouthwash. Certain mouthwash can keep your mouth from drying out, especially a mouthwash with xylitol, which also helps prevent tooth decay.
- Consider over-the-counter saliva substitutes. Similar to mouthwash, there are over-the counter products available that contain xylitol like ACT Total Care Dry Mouth or Biotene Dry Mouth. You may find that these saliva substitutes work well to combat mouth dryness.
- Kick the habit. Tobacco products are definitely a culprit for dry mouth. If you smoke or chew tobacco, consider visiting your doctor to see about a smoking cessation program.
- Visit your dentist. Regular dental check-ups are crucial for everyone, and this is certainly the case if you’re experiencing dry mouth. Visit your dentist twice a year to stay ahead of tooth decay or other dental issues.
If you are interested in learning more about treating dry mouth, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you. To schedule an appointment, please contact Scott T. LeSueur, DDS & Charles A Dodaro, DDS online or by calling our Mesa office at (480) 834-6991 today. We serve Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and all surrounding Arizona communities.