Xerostomia also called dry mouth, is caused when salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. A dry mouth can be caused by medications, dehydration, or breathing through the mouth. Chronic dry mouth can lead to serious problems, severe dental health issues and should not be ignored.
Causes of Dry Mouth
When salivary glands are not working properly as the result of:
1. Medications
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Among the more likely types of dry mouth issue-causing medications are various drugs used to treat depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety, as well as different antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain medications.
2. Aging
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Aging often results in increased medication use, changes in the body's ability to process medication, inadequate nutrition, and long-term health problems.
3. Cancer Therapy
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Head and neck radiation treatments can damage salivary glands, causing a marked decrease in saliva production.
4. Nerve Damage
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An injury or surgery that causes head or neck nerve damage can result in a dry mouth.
5. Tobacco and Alcohol Use
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Drinking alcohol and smoking or chewing tobacco increases dry mouth symptoms.
6. Night Sleeping
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Dry mouths manifest mostly at night during sleeping, especially in mouth-breathers.
Signs and Symptoms of Dry Mouth
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Burning, sore, or tingling sensation in mouth, tongue, or throat
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Dryness in the mouth and throat
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Frequent thirst, dry eyes, pale gums, and hoarseness
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Difficulty speaking, chewing, and swallowing (dysphagia)
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Increased desire to drink and swallow liquids
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Diminished or altered sense of taste
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Chapped or cracked lips
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Difficulty wearing dentures
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Mouth sores, ulcers, nausea, and bad breath
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White tongue, indicative of a fungal infection like yeast (candidiasis)
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Red, bleeding gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis
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Tooth decay, especially around the gum line or on the root surfaces
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Fungal infections occurring in an individual with dry mouth may be associated with underlying diseases or disorders such as Addison's disease, HIV, or diabetes.
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A common sign of fungal infection of the mouth is a burning tongue or white or dark plaque on the tongue or soft tissues of the mouth.
Untreated Dry Mouth can Lead to Serious Problems
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Cavities
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Gingivitis (gum disease)
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Halitosis (bad breath)
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Improper denture fit
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Yeast infections
Dry Mouth Treatment
Tips to Ease Dry Mouth
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Avoid decongestants and antihistamines when possible.
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Sip water before swallowing capsules or tablets. Water moistens the mouth.
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Take medication in the morning, not at night. Dry mouth at night is more likely to cause mouth problems such as cavities.
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Try easy-to-swallow formulas, such as liquids. Avoid under-the-tongue forms.
Dry Mouth Remedies
Make Your Own Mouthwash
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Blend 1 cup of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
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Swish in your mouth for a few seconds, then rinse with water.
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Repeat every three hours.
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As a break from the mouthwash, keep other liquids nearby to sip and to keep your mouth and throat moist
Avoid
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Acidic, spicy, salty, dry, and sugary foods and beverages.
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Alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated drinks.
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Mouthwashes with alcohol or peroxide, which may dry your mouth even more.
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Smoking.
Dry Mouth Prevention
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Drink plenty of water. Aim for eight glasses of water per day, sipping frequently.
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Use a humidifier, especially in bedrooms, to prevent dry mouth at night.
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Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
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Gently brush teeth at least twice a day.
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Floss teeth every day.
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Use toothpaste with fluoride.
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Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterward.
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Visit your dentist at least twice a year. Your dentist might also suggest you use a prescription-strength fluoride gel.
Florida's Leader in Dry Mouth Treatment | iSmile by Dr. Sonia Olivares
If you suffer from a dry mouth, it is critical to visit the dentist regularly. Dentists monitor the condition and health of the mouth, teeth, and gums. If your dry mouth causes a chronic condition, don’t suffer any longer!
Award-winning cosmetic dentist Dr. Sonia Olivares offers comprehensive treatment options for patients suffering from various dental problems, including dry mouth.
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iSmile General Dentistry Services
iSmile Dental Payment Options
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Convenient and flexible payment plans
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Coupons and monthly specials
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Most major insurance plans accepted
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All major credit cards accepted
For available dental financing options, visit https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/payment-options/.
Call iSmile of Coral Gables and iSmile Doral, FL Today
Dr. Sonia Olivares is welcoming new patients in Coral Gables and Doral, Florida. For online consultations, visit https://www.drsoniaolivares.net/online-consultation/ or call us today!
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iSmile Coral Gables by Dr. Sonia Olivares: 305-396-1026
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iSmile Doral by Dr. Sonia Olivares: 305-620-8272
Oral Issues and Disease in Coral Gables & Doral, FLOral issues and disease pose major health burdens including pain, discomfort, disfigurement and even death.
Symptoms of Oral Issues and DiseaseBleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossingChronic bad breathCracked or broken teethFrequent dry mouthJaw clickingLoose teethPain or toothachesPain with chewing or bitingReceding gumlineSudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperaturesSwelling of the face and cheeksUlcers, sores or tender areas in the mouth that won’t heal after a week Factors Contributing to Oral IssuesAcid reflux or heartburnCertain infections such as HIV or AIDSDiabetesFamily history or geneticsFrequent vomiting Hormonal changes in womenPoor brushing habitsSmokingSugary food and drink consumptionUse of saliva reducing medicationsCauses of Oral DiseaseThe oral cavity collects various bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Plaque accumulates, hardens, and migrates down the length of the tooth if not removed regularly by brushing and flossing.
Tests may include:CT scanEndoscopyMRI scanX-ray Treating Oral Issues and DiseaseEven with proper oral care, routine visits to the dentist with professional cleanings twice a year a recommended.
It removes tartar from above and below the gumline that can’t be reached during routine brushing.Daily Habits: Dental hygienists provide education regarding how to properly care for teeth and gums.Dental Implants: Used to replace missing or lost teeth.Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel and increase resiliency to bacteria and acid.Fillings, Crowns, and Sealants: A filling is used to repair a cavity, crack, or hole in the tooth.
During a root canal, the nerve is removed and replaced with a filling made of a biocompatible material, usually a combination of a rubber-like material called gutta-percha and adhesive cement.Tooth Extraction: Necessary when a tooth cannot be saved with a root canal or other procedure.
If you believe you have diabetes and are looking for diabetes clinics, you must make sure you have the disease.
Here we look at the symptoms that highlight the onset of diabetes.
According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, there are 10 signs of diabetes:Frequent urinationIf you have been going to the bathroom more than usual, it could mean your kidneys are working to remove excess sugar from your blood.Extreme thirstFrequent visits to the bathroom can lead to loss of water from your body.
This can cause dehydration and make you excessively thirsty requiring you to drink more fluids.Dry mouth or dry skinDue to loss of hydration, your mouth and skin can become dry, itchy, or tight.Fatigue or weaknessWeakness, sleepiness, or lethargy are signs that your blood sugar isn’t where it should be.
This can lead to dizziness (sometimes fainting) if your blood sugar becomes seriously high or low.Increased appetite or unexplained weight lossA sudden increase in your appetite could be because your body is unable to generate adequate energy from the sugar in the food.
It can lead to unexpected weight loss too.Slow-healing cutsBecause of high blood sugar, your blood vessel can stiffen up making it hard for blood to flow through your body.
B Antioxidants: The Secret to Great Skin HealthFoods that are full of b vitamins once we look at the mirror as part of our everyday skin care regimen and place a fresh blemish, wrinkle, or dull patch of skin, the majority of us reach to a suitably marketed beauty merchandise without a lot of thought.We might know that product treats acne, and one smooths wrinkles, but we are not always sure why, or how, they get it done.
And we'd barely ever think to drink or eat something to take care of our skin issues.Our skin is your body's largest organ, and it is influenced by what we place on it, in addition to what we consume.
Remedying bad skin needs us to deal with not just our outward symptoms but also the root causes too, which starts with good nutrition.B vitamins particularly encourage skin health in a large number of ways, which makes their inclusion in your everyday regimen -- if through diet supplements, personal care goods, or a mixture of those three -- a powerful and secure means to take care of skin problems.Vitamin B: What's It Good For?The eight B vitamins are essential for just about any procedure in the body.
The healthier skin, the quicker it renews.But we have got a relatively compact storage tank for B vitamins, so we will need to keep refilling it every day.
Since they are water-soluble instead of fat-soluble, B vitamins would be most effective when taken orally as a supplement -- a simple way to get your daily allowance of eight in 1 dose -- or consumed through food resources.B1 (Thiamine)What it does: Thiamine was that the very first B vitamin ever found.
It can help to convert sugar into energy, aids in wound healing, and is vital for proper nerve acts.Sometimes known as the"anti-stress vitamin" it strengthens the immune system and soothes the nervous system, helping stop stress-related breakouts.
The home ventilation Dunedin is a very important aspect of any home as it ensures that the indoor air is clean and free from contaminants.
One of the ways you can ventilate your home is the natural method.
This is where cold air from the outside moves into the home from openings that are at a lower level in the home.
Natural ventilation can work for you depending on the design of your home.Mechanical ventilation such as the Heat Recovery Ventilator gets rid of the stale air from your home and replaces it with fresh air from the outside.
Depending on the system that is installed in your home, the heat that is recovered can be anywhere between fifty and ninety percent.
The system gets rid of excess moisture so that your home is free from mould, bacteria and mites.
