Are You Experiencing Chronic Dry Mouth?

Do you ever feel like your mouth is as dry as the Salt Lake Desert in July? One of the more common dental complaints is excessive oral dryness. While there are many potential causes for this annoying condition, the one that is the most common culprit is medication-induced dry mouth. Rather than this being something that you should just live with and ignore, there are several reasons that it is important to report all of your prescriptions to Dr. Rogers and his staff and if you have any dryness in your mouth, a sore or scratchy throat, or hoarseness.

Which medications cause dry mouth?

In his Spanish Fork dental practice, Dr. Rogers sees patients who experience the symptoms above as a side effect to common medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, anti-convulsive drugs, and anti-depressants. Patients who take multiple medications from these categories obviously have a higher risk of developing dry mouth.

Halitosis

Nearly 90 percent of all dental patients presenting with chronic bad breath, or halitosis, have dry mouth. When there is not adequate saliva to lubricate the mouth, you lose the ability to fight certain bacteria which cause bad breath. If you are experiencing chronic bad breath, please make an appointment with Dr. Rogers.

Tooth Decay

Along with the bacteria that can cause bad breath, when there is not enough saliva in the mouth, you are more likely to have cavities. It is a common misconception that tooth decay is a childhood problem; cavities can be present in any mouth.

Sensitivity

If you do not have enough saliva, you can develop oral sensitivity. Teeth can de-mineralize, your ability to taste may decrease, and you may have chronic sore throats.

Other medical concerns

Good oral health is necessary for general good health. While not the most common cause of dry mouth, it is possible that you may be suffering from an otherwise undetected and potentially serious disease, such as an autoimmune disease or poorly-controlled diabetes.

Treating dry mouth at home

You can treat dry mouth by sucking on sugar-free candies, chewing sugar-free gum, using a mouth rinse without alcohol, and staying hydrated. Some patients find that they are more comfortable using lip balm regularly.

Even though your prescriptions were prescribed by your medical doctor in Spanish Fork, your dentist can help monitor the condition and help you maintain your oral health. If you are experiencing dry mouth, alert your physician and make an appointment to come in to see the dentist.