Are you having difficulty swallowing and/or enjoying food? Is your lipstick sticking to your teeth? Does your saliva feel thick or stringy, mouth feel sticky? Do you feel you have bad breath? Is your tongue groovy? Is drinking water dominating your thoughts?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have xerostomia, otherwise known as dry mouth.
Causes of dry mouth:
- Hundreds of different prescription and over the counter medications like:
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Blood Pressure
- Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Treatments
- Smoking and/or Alcohol Use
- Snoring / mouth breathing
- Nerve Damage to Face
- Feeling Nervous
- Aging
- Pain Killers
Whatever the cause, dry mouth can be very detrimental to your teeth, gums, general health, and can greatly affect your quality of life.
Why is saliva so important? According to the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, saliva contains many properties that assist with:
- Chewing
- Keeping oral environment pH balanced
- Has enzyme that helps prevent overgrowth of bacteria that cause cavities, irritated gums, and
bad breath
- Continuously washing away food debris.
So how do you fix dry mouth? First, water. You can’t have enough water!
Other ways include:
- Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day
- Waterpik
- Over the Counter Dry Mouth Products:
- Lozenges
- Sprays
- Gums
- Gels
- Mouthwashes
- Tabs
- Toothpastes
All of these products are geared to help stimulate salivary flow and act as a saliva substitute, keeping your mouth moisturized. A good place to start shopping is Amazon; however, Walmart, CVS, Costco, Publix, etc. also have many options.
You don’t have to live your life feeling like your mouth is stuck in the Sahara Desert! Check out some of the products below and start getting some relief. And remember, talk to your dental and healthcare providers about any concerns you may have with dry mouth. You don’t have to suffer anymore!
Jess Whitlock, RDH
