A dry mouth can affect a person's quality of life. It can impact things such as swallowing, tasting, and speaking. If left untreated, a dry mouth (xerostomia) can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, gum disease, and enamel loss.
This oral condition can develop for many reasons, such as dehydration, medication, stress, aging, and disease. Luckily, a dentist can help determine the underlying cause of your dry mouth and develop a treatment plan. You can also use some home remedies to ease the symptoms. Here are 3 ways to reverse xerostomia:
Drink Plenty of Water
Water prevents many oral issues. It helps to wash away debris and harmful bacteria likely to cause build-ups. It also helps to neutralize acids that are likely to destroy the tooth enamel. The best part is that water can help to reverse a dry mouth. It prevents dehydration that causes a dry mouth. For this reason, you may need to drink enough water or sugar-free fluids.
Avoid Mouth-Dehydrating Habits
Some habits can cause or worsen a dry mouth. For instance, smoking and drinking alcohol can slow down saliva production. Sugar and caffeinated beverages can also dehydrate you. Do you know that quitting these habits can reverse a dry mouth? Cutting down on sugar, alcohol, tobacco products, and caffeine can help to ease the symptoms of a dry mouth. If you experience challenges quitting these habits, a dentist or a physician can help you.
Consider a Sugar-Free Gum
Chewing a piece of gum can stimulate the flow of saliva. Be sure to use sugar-free gum because sugar can increase bacteria in the mouth and worsen the symptoms. It can also cause cavities and other oral issues. In addition to sugar-free gums, you can consider sucking on sugar-free candies.
If these home remedies do not alleviate the symptoms of a dry mouth, consider consulting a dentist. Visit our dental office, and our professionals will treat your dry mouth based on the root cause of the issue.
Dental Blog | Dentist Edmonds, WA | Perrinville Family Dentistry Dr. Jacky from Perrinville Family Dentistry is offering this blog as a resource to the community. Click here to learn more about procedures, home care, and more! Perrinville Family Dentistry, 7533 Olympic View Dr. Suite C Edmonds, WA 98026 ^ (425) 616-0620 ^ perrinvillefamilydentistry.com ^ 12/6/2023 ^ Page Keywords: dentist ^
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A dry mouth can affect a person's quality of life. It can impact things such as swallowing, tasting, and speaking. If left untreated, a dry mouth (xerostomia) can lead to plaque buildup, cavities, gum disease, and enamel loss.
Gary J. Jacky, DMD