Do you feel like your mouth is constantly parched, no matter how frequently you sip water? Have you been told or have discovered that you have bad breath? Dry mouth is a common condition that can impact people of all ages. While occasionally dealing with this problem isn’t a big deal, persistent dry mouth can lead to a range of dental issues. In addition to breath issues, you can also increase your risk for cavities. We wanted to talk about why this may be occurring and what you can do if you are dealing with dry mouth.

What’s the Cause of Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth happens when you aren’t producing enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. At best, It can be simply annoying, and other times, it can be downright uncomfortable. There are numerous causes for your dry mouth. Certain medications, medical conditions, stress, lifestyle habits, and mouth breathing can all trigger this issue. 

Why You Need to Pay Attention to Dry Mouth

It’s important not to ignore a persistently dry mouth. Left untreated, it can have lasting effects on your oral health over time. Saliva works hard to neutralize mouth acid, prevent infections, and wash away food particles. Without enough saliva, you may battle: 

  • Cavities and tooth decay
  • Gum infections
  • Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or tasting foods
  • Chronic bad breath

That’s how essential saliva is to your oral health. Most of all, you don’t want to ignore the condition.

Tips If You Are Dealing With Dry Mouth 

In the battle against dry mouth, you want effective ways to restore moisture to your mouth. Fortunately, there are ways you can treat the condition. That’s why we wanted to share a few tips for you to keep in mind when dealing with dry mouth:

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you struggle with sipping water, consider adding fruit slices to your water bottle to increase the flavor. Just avoid sugary drinks, because that can increase your risk for cavities. 
  • Limit Certain Foods & Drinks: You will want to cut down on caffeine, alcohol, or overly salty foods. All of those things can make your dry mouth worse. 
  • Cut Out Certain Habits: If you smoke or use tobacco frequently, you’ll want to stop that habit. It’s not only bad for your oral health but your overall health too.
  • Chew Gum: Gum sweetened with xylitol will stimulate saliva production. Plus, will freshen your breath between meals!
  • Use a Humidifier: Since its the winter, you may be using a heater frequently. That extra heat can trigger your chronic sense of thirst. Use a humidifier at night while you sleep. It can often help you avoid drying out your mouth at night.

You should also use products, such as: Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, Biotene Dry Mouth Lozenges, Biotene Moisturizing Mouth Spray, XyliMelts, and ACT Dry Mouth Fluoride Rinse. 

If at-home care strategies don’t seem to provide sufficient relief, be sure to schedule an appointment. We can offer personalized tips that will give you. Call Nathan E. Vick DDS, Inc. today at 559-242-1356 for an appointment in Fresno, CA. You can also schedule online.