“I’ve got a mouthful of cotton!” You may have heard that Southern colloquialism from someone suffering from dry mouth. Some people have it temporarily because they’re hot or thirsty. For those with chronic dry mouth, it’s a condition that can negatively impact their teeth and gums.
What is dry mouth, and what helps dry mouth if you have it consistently? Beavers and Broomfield Family Dentistry treats a variety of patients, and we have some suggestions for how to help.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Chronic dry mouth is usually about more than being thirsty. The condition could result from genetic issues or a side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth can also be a symptom of other diseases, some of which could be serious.
Why is my mouth dry? The most obvious is that it’s a sign of dehydration, which can be serious if you don’t hydrate quickly. Dry mouth and excessive sweating can progress to dizziness, disorientation, and nausea. Those who experience these symptoms need to hydrate quickly with plain water or drinks with electrolytes. If the dizziness and nausea continue, a trip to the doctor or urgent care facility may be necessary.
Dry mouth is also caused by certain medications, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, anemia, diabetes, stroke, cystic fibrosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease, among others. Injuries to the head and neck can also cause it.
What Does Dry Mouth Do to My Teeth?
How does dry mouth affect teeth and gums? Saliva plays several important roles in helping your teeth and gums. Its primary function is to begin the digestion process by breaking down your food. As your teeth break up the food, saliva starts to break it down and pull nutrients from it.
Saliva also washes your teeth and gums as you eat and swallow, pulling food particles away. Without saliva, those food particles stay and become plaque, which coats your teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
A dry mouth can also cause a fungus in the mouth to grow out of control and lead to thrush. This fungal infection causes white patches on the mouth and tongue, a loss of taste, bleeding patches, and trouble swallowing.
Finally, saliva works with the fluoride in your toothpaste to protect your teeth and gums. Saliva mixes with the fluoride and causes a chemical reaction that allows the fluoride to be absorbed into your tooth enamel. The fluoride strengthens the enamel — the hard, protective shell that protects the living interior of your tooth. Fluoride is less effective without saliva, making you more vulnerable to tooth decay and gum disease.
How to Get Rid of Dry Mouth
There are several ways to get rid of dry mouth. The most obvious is to increase your water intake. Men should drink about 15.5 cups of water a day, and women 13.5 cups. This does not include beverages such as coffee or sodas, which contain caffeine that can actually dehydrate you further.
Here are some other ways to get rid of dry mouth:
- Avoid drinking alcohol or using mouthwash or medicines with alcohol
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies containing xylitol
- Don’t smoke or use chewing tobacco
- Avoid overuse of antihistamines or decongestants, which can dehydrate you
- Use a humidifier at night
- Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth
- Talk to your doctor about alternate medications that don’t cause dry mouth
- Use a mouthwash formulated to combat dry mouth, such as those containing xylitol
Products for Dry Mouth
There are toothpastes and mouthwashes available that can help your dry mouth. We can recommend products that can reduce or eliminate your dry mouth symptoms.
One of the most common products to battle dry mouth is xylitol. It’s a natural sugar alcohol that is plant-based and is used as a calorie-free sweetener in everything from toothpaste to sugarless gum. One thing to keep in mind: Xylitol can cause diarrhea if used excessively.
Let us know if you find yourself experiencing side effects from the xylitol while still having dry mouth. We can make other recommendations, such as using a saliva substitute spray.
Dry Mouth Treatment in Fayetteville, AR
It’s not uncommon to have a dry mouth occasionally, but chronic dry mouth can lead to oral and overall health problems. The sooner you treat your dry mouth, the better your oral health will be.
If you have dry mouth in Fayetteville, AR, schedule an appointment with Beavers and Broomfield Family Dentistry. Let us help you get rid of that “mouthful of cotton!”
