Saliva is essential for oral health. Made mostly of water, it lubricates, cleans, remineralizes the enamel and helps fight bacteria. It also is an important factor in healthy digestion. Saliva helps us to speak and plays an important role in our sense of taste. Therefore, a lack of saliva poses a problem. Dry mouth, or ‘xerostomia’ (zeer-oh-stomia), is a common condition involving a lack of saliva. Dry mouth is uncomfortable and promotes both bad breath and cavities.
How to Treat Dry Mouth
Diagnosing dry mouth is done by our Yuba City family dentists and usually requires your most recent medical history along with a list of all medications (prescription/non-prescription) that you take regularly. Some medications cause dry mouth, including anti-hypertensives, anti-depressants, anti-histamines, anti-emetics, anti-psychotics, decongestants, diuretics, and some pain medications. The more drugs you take, the higher the chances that you have dry mouth as a side effect. Also, a complete oral exam and a check of the salivary glands eliminates the possibility of any abnormalities.
Treating dry mouth is easily done with over-the-counter synthetic saliva substitutes, and sometimes in more severe cases with prescription medications. Yet the first choice for the Yuba City Dental Group is treating the cause of dry mouth, rather than the symptoms.
Saliva is an important component for keeping your mouth healthy! When dealing with dry mouth, fight decay by making semi-annual appointments to see our Yuba City dentists. Brush and floss your teeth daily, using fluoride toothpaste. Drink water regularly to keep your mouth lubricated. For more information about dry mouth and professional assistance, call today or contact us online to schedule an appointment at our convenient Yuba City dental office.
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