Ask Your General Dentist For Help With Dry Mouth

 

To protect your dental health, it’s essential to have a general dentist you trust. A general dentist isn’t just for cavities and cleanings – you can get help with all sorts of problems. One of the most common concerns we hear about at Landmark Dental Group is a simple, but important one: dry mouth.

Stop Dry Mouth and Protect Your Teeth

Dry mouth might seem like just an inconvenience at fist, but you shouldn’t ignore it. In fact, saliva is a very important part of your overall dental health. Between brushing, saliva inhibits the bacteria that tries to colonize your teeth, eventually forming cavities.

When dry mouth strikes, it means your teeth are much more vulnerable to decay.

Saliva is also essential for maintaining balanced pH in your mouth. For most people, saliva is strongly basic – it neutralizes acid from foods like citrus fruit. This is important, since acid that coats the teeth weakens surface enamel and can cause lasting damage.

What Are The Causes of Dry Mouth?

Many things contribute to dry mouth, but the condition is caused by one main problem: Dysfunction of the saliva glands inside the mouth. There are several different issues that can cause noticeable problems with salivation, including:

• Nervousness or stress
• Certain medical conditions and medications
• Smoking
• Chemotherapy

A persistent dry, burning sensation in the mouth or back of the throat is often the first sign of dry mouth. Left untreated, it significantly increases the likelihood of getting painful sores in the mouth. Split skin in the corners of the mouth and cracked lips are also common.

As people age, they are more likely to develop dry mouth even if they are otherwise healthy. For this reason, it’s crucial to visit your dentist if you notice your mouth has been consistently dry for a week or more.

Treatment is Essential for Dry Mouth Sufferers

When dry mouth is left untreated, it can cause severe dental problems. Through the help of a general dentist, however, many patients have an opportunity to reverse the condition. Specialized oral rinses and some other medications may help.

Much of the time, dry mouth can be eliminated with the right approach. The first step is to set up an appointment with your dentist! At Landmark Dental Group, we’ve helped people from all over the Santa Cruz area overcome dry mouth.

For expert help in a caring, comfortable environment, contact us today.