Dry Mouth: The Condition That Will Help Tooth Decay Destroy Your Smile

If you are one who tries to prevent tooth decay at all costs, the dry mouth condition is not your friend. If you think you have dry mouth, we strongly recommend doing everything you can to treat the problem and improve your oral health, and you can start doing so by making an appointment with Dr. Douglas B Ball as soon as possible. Before your appointment, feel free to brush up on the topic by reading the answers to the following questions:

What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth is a condition that develops when you have an inadequate flow of saliva in your mouth. This condition is not a disease, but it could be considered as a side effect from many medications or as a symptom of a medical disorder. Dry mouth is very dangerous for your smile. Without saliva, the hard and soft tissues in your mouth could be damaged, the oral acids produced by bacteria daily will not be neutralized, and the teeth will not be constantly washed. If you do not have adequate saliva, your smile is also prone to severe tooth decay.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
Common symptoms of dry mouth include a constant sore throat, a burning sensation, trouble speaking, difficulty swallowing, dry nasal passages, and hoarseness.

What are the treatments for dry mouth?
The recommended treatments for dry mouth generally involve chewing or sucking on sugar-free gum or candy on a regular basis to stimulate saliva flow. Other treatments include the use of artificial saliva and oral rinses. Another great way to treat your dry mouth is to stop the use of tobacco products.

How can I prevent dry mouth?
There are many things you can do to prevent dry mouth, like avoid using tobacco products, drink 8 FL oz. of water each day, use a humidifier in your home, avoid using medications that cause dry mouth, and breathe through your nose as much as possible.

You are ready for your appointment at Dental Center now that you know all about the dry mouth condition! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask your dentist when you come in and visit us. We are happy to help you in every way we can and we don’t mind answering questions. So, call 801.224.6165 now and schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience!