Dry Mouth
As Zeytinburnu dental polyclinic , we are working to provide you the best service in the treatment of dry mouth . Call us now and get more detailed information about dry mouth and dry mouth treatment .
Dry mouth is called xerostomia in dentistry. Dry mouth occurs as a result of the decrease in salivary secretion functions of the salivary glands.
THE CAUSES OF DRY MOUTH ARE:
Dry mouth can occur as a side effect of some medications. On average, more than 500 types of drugs cause dry mouth.
Diseases that occur in the salivary glands and surgical removal of the salivary glands cause dry mouth.
Salivary secretion decreases with age.
Dry mouth is seen in some systemic diseases (diabetes, hormonal diseases, syogren’s syndrome, neurological disorders).
Radiotherapy, especially head and neck radiotherapy, causes dry mouth by damaging the salivary glands.
Alcohol and caffeine use causes dry mouth.
WHEN DRY MOUTH OCCURS,
Difficulty eating, especially for dry foods
Burning in the tongue, unusual feeling, tingling
Needing frequent application of things to keep mouth moist
Difficulty speaking and swallowing
Frequent thirst
Drying and cracking around the lips
Decreased sense of taste, abnormal taste sensation
Difficulty using dentures
Bad breath occurs.
Saliva is an important defense mechanism for the mouth. For this reason, the decrease in salivary secretion causes various problems in the mouth.
As the salivary secretion decreases, the washing function of the saliva decreases and the accumulation of bacterial plaque and food residues becomes easier. Therefore, gum disease and tooth decay formation increase.
Saliva contains oxygen. As a result of the reduction in salivary secretion, the amount of oxygen in the mouth also decreases. The decrease in oxygen causes anaerobic bacteria that live in an oxygen-free environment to reproduce easily. Anaerobic bacteria cause gum disease, tooth decay and bad breath.
Since the minerals in the saliva that prevent the formation of caries will decrease, the formation of caries increases.
TREATMENT OF DRY MOUTH
If dry mouth appears as a side effect of a drug used, the drug can be changed.
Drinking sips of water to wet the mouth frequently and increasing the intake of watery foods,
Chewing sugar-free gum,
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes and sugary foods,
Taking vitamin C
Not using oral care products that contain alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate,
Using artificial saliva if necessary,
Increasing the humidity of the living environment can be beneficial.
Saliva is an important defense mechanism for the mouth. Therefore, dry mouth should not be neglected.
