Our body naturally produces saliva to keep our mouth moist, preventing bacteria from growing. We tend to take properly functioning saliva glands for granted, but for many, dry mouth is a serious and frustrating condition. Knowing what dry mouth is and when to visit your dentist in Tampa mean you have a better understanding of your condition and know what to look for and when to be concerned. Some dry mouth symptoms may not warrant a trip to your Tampa dentist, so pay attention to your body to know more.
Instruction of Dentist in Tampa About Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be caused by so many things, but for many patients, medication is the root cause. Whether you take prescription medications or simply over-the-counters, read the side effects of your medications to see if this may be behind your dry mouth. If so, you may want to work with your Tampa dentist or doctor to find an alternative. Another cause of dry mouth could be smoking or drinking alcohol. Your body needs water to function, and both tobacco and alcohol increase dry mouth as you are not hydrating your body enough. Reducing your drinking or quitting smoking can help you see a reduction in your dry mouth symptoms. For more serious cases, dry mouth may be caused from things like cancer treatments, autoimmune disorders, or even aging. If this is the case, work with your dentist for a long-term treatment plan to reduce dry mouth.
Now that you know what causes dry mouth, how do you treat it? Treatment depends on your cause: for those taking medication or suffering from other diseases, work with your dentist and doctor for a tailored solution. Your dentist may be able to prescribe medication that stimulates your saliva glands to produce more saliva, or recommend mouthwash or toothpaste as an aid.
Living with dry mouth is a reality for so many dental patients. A dry mouth can be uncomfortable and downright frustrating if left untreated. The team at North Pointe Dental is trained to help you combat your oral health issues; make an appointment today!
