Did you know that the saliva in your mouth plays a big part in oral health? Saliva helps to keep the mouth clean and moist while also reducing the development of harmful bacteria and fungus. When your saliva production is decreased due to the use of certain medications or due to an undiagnosed medical condition, it can make your mouth incredibly uncomfortable. Those that suffer from dry mouth in may notice sores in their mouth, bad breath or even problems with chewing or speaking properly. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be a permanent condition when you follow our helpful tips from a Cigna PPO Dentist in Scottsdale.
Not only is the condition irritating and sometimes embarrassing, but it can be very harmful to your health if left untreated. Patients with chronically dry mouth face a much higher risk of developing gum disease, infections inside the mouth and harmful tooth decay. Luckily, there are some things you can do to improve your symptoms.
Before you attempt to treat dry mouth yourself, it’s always a good idea to get a complete checkup from your dentist to rule out any major problems with your oral health. If your dentist notices anything unusual or any major changes in the health of your mouth, they may recommend you visit your primary care physician. This can help to rule out certain conditions that often lead to dry mouth, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
If you have dry mouth, try taking small steps like drinking plenty of water, keeping gum on hand and using a fluoride rinse to protect your teeth in between brushing. Your doctor may also change your medications or give you a different one if they are worsening your condition, and make further suggestions to improve the moisture level in your mouth.
You shouldn’t have to live with dry mouth. If you are tired of always having a dry mouth and throat and are embarrassed by chronic bad breath, your dentist can help. Contact a routine exam and cleaning today and see what your dentist can do for you.