If you have the urge to drink lots of water or you wake up with a sticky feeling in your mouth, you may suffer from dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in oral health by rinsing away plaque and cavity-causing bacteria; dry mouth occurs when saliva levels are low. Not only does dry mouth feel uncomfortable, individuals with dry mouth are more prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Also, this condition can make eating, swallowing, and talking more difficult.
Medication, certain conditions, nerve damage, and lifestyle choices can make increase the likelihood of dry mouth. During your checkup, let your dentist know if you have any signs of dry mouth because it can lead to other dental problems. Common symptoms include frequent thirst, a parched feeling in the mouth, burning or tingling sensations, and bad breath.
Patients who suffer from dry mouth should talk with their dentists to find effective ways of dealing with this problem. These helpful tips may ease your dry mouth:
• Carry a water bottle with you all day and take frequent sips
• Have water before, during, and after meals
• Avoid very hot or very cold beverages
• Choose sugar-free drinks and stay away from carbonated options
• Suck on sugarless candy or chew sugarless gum because it promotes saliva production
• If you use mouthwash, read the labels and choose an alcohol-free rinse
• Limit alcohol consumption and tobacco use
• Consider a humidifier at night to add moisture to the air
