Great Facts and Tips About Dry Mouth

Dry mouth happens to many people once in a while. Dry mouth is most likely due to dehydration, excessive drinking, or simply sleeping with your mouth open. Dry mouth can be a serious problem for some people. It can cause distressing effects on daily life. Dry mouth can cause anxiety and make it difficult to eat or speak in public.

According to current research, around 1 in 4 adults are affected by the condition. This number increases to 40% for those over 55. Dry mouth is one of the most prevalent oral health issues.

Here are some facts and advice to help you better understand dry mouth.

The Top Ten Facts About Dry Lips:

1. Dry mouth, also known as ‘xerostomia’, is a condition that affects the flow salivary. This causes your mouth to feel dry.
2. For your mouth to function properly, you need saliva. Saliva helps keep your mouth moist and breaks down food, which helps you swallow. Saliva also neutralizes plaque acids and acts as a cleanser. It cleans your teeth and mouth constantly, fighting tooth decay.
3. A lack of saliva can affect the taste and make it difficult to eat dry foods. Bad breath can lead to speech problems and worsening of the condition.
4. Dry mouth is more common at night when saliva production is lower than during the day.
5. Dry mouth can lead to soreness and increase risk for tooth decay.
6. You can get it from old age or as a side effect of medications, especially those that affect the heart, blood pressure, and depression. You can ask your doctor, pharmacist, or dentist if you have any questions about the medication.
7. Dry mouth may be caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes, Sjogren’s Syndrome, or lupus.
8. ¹. Women are more likely than men to have chronic dry mouth (27 percent vs 21 percent).
9. Studies show that people with chronic dry mouth have a higher chance of developing mental illness and social anxiety .
10. There is currently no way to prevent the problem. However, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms.

The Top Five Tips

1. Regular visits to your dentist are important. You run a greater risk of developing gum disease and tooth decay with dry mouth. These conditions can become more severe faster than normal. It is vital to see your dentist regularly. They will advise you on how often to visit.
2. Fluoride toothpaste should contain at least 1350 to 1500ppm (parts/million) fluoride. Some toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). This can cause dryness and irritation to the mouth.
3. You can find many products that will help you keep your mouth moist and comfortable. These products are often sprays or gels. Some contain additional ingredients that may prevent gum and tooth problems. You can also find special products that help you maintain your oral hygiene, such as toothpastes or mouth rinses.
4. Sugar-free gum can be helpful in relieving dryness. It encourages saliva production and helps to ease dryness. You can ask your dentist for recommendations on products like pastes, gels or pastes.
5. In the short-term, some people find that drinking water or sucking sugar-free sweets helps. Sugar-free products are important as dry mouth can lead to tooth decay.