DRY MOUTH SYNDROME

Called xerostomia, dry mouth can drastically increase the risk of decay and gum problems. A healthy flow of saliva helps clean teeth and neutralize acids that otherwise eat away at the tooth enamel.

 

Saliva flow doesn't necessarily decrease with age. But as many as 800 different drugs cause dry mouth as a side effect. Many of these are medications people take as they get older.

 

What to do:

 

• A drop-off in saliva levels can very quickly cause problems. So at the first sign of dry mouth, talk to your doctor.
• A change in prescriptions may help alleviate the problem. If not, your doctor may recommend chewing sugar-free gum. Gum increases saliva flow.
• Saliva stimulating mouth wash, toothpaste and tablets are available at our practice.
• Saliva replacement sprays are also available for use while you sleep. This is very effective to prevent tooth decay in patients suffering from xerostomia.

 

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