What is a Veneer?
Dental veneers are a fantastic cosmetic dental treatment that allows patients to fully customize the look of their smile. Continue reading to learn more about dental veneers to determine if this treatment is right for you.
What is Dry Mouth and How Does it Affect My Teeth?
What is Dry Mouth?
Known clinically as xerostomia, dry mouth is an oral condition in which the salivary glands are not able to produce an adequate amount of saliva.
Saliva acts as a natural lubricant ,a neutralizer that protects the surface of the teeth from harmful and erosive acids, washes away bacteria and food debris, and helps protect the enamel.
When there is not enough saliva present in the mouth, the following symptoms may arise:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay
- Bad breath
- Erosion of tooth enamel
- Difficulty talking/chewing/eating/swallowing
- Pain when chewing/eating/talking/swallowing
- Overall dry and rough feeling inside the mouth
Aside from being extremely uncomfortable and at times painful, dry mouth can be detrimental to not only your oral health but your overall health, as well.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth can be caused by a number of things, but the most common causes are:
- Prescription medications
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Infected salivary glands
- High blood pressure
- HIV/AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
Dry Mouth Treatment Options
The treatment method for your dry mouth condition will be dependent on why you have developed dry mouth in the first place.
Your dentist will conduct a thorough examination and discuss your medical history in length to identify the root cause of your condition.
If it is determined that prescription medications you are taking have caused the dry mouth, your dentist will recommend that you speak with the doctor that prescribed the medication. If the medication is not something that can be stopped or switched, your dentist may prescribe something for you.
If your dry mouth condition has been caused by an infected salivary gland, you will be prescribed antibiotics to help clear the infection.
If a health condition that you have has caused the dry mouth, it is likely that your dentist will work with your general doctor to determine what the condition is and how to best approach the situation.
Depending on your personal situation and health history, you may be prescribed an oral rinse such as Biotene that will help with saliva production, a prescription medication designed to stimulate the salivary glands, or topical fluoride treatments.
How to Prevent Dry Mouth
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to help prevent dry mouth from developing:
- Increase fluid intake
- Quit smoking
- Limit your caffeine intake
- Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash
- Limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages
Willow Glen Dental Center: Here to Help
If you are experiencing dry mouth, Willow Glen Dental Center is here to help.
For more information about dry mouth treatment in San Jose or to get scheduled for an examination, give us a call anytime at (408) 266-6144.
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