Dental Health and Dry Mouth

By SATISH CHAPPITI, Arc Healthcare Dental Services

Dry mouth (Xerostomia) is the feeling of insufficient saliva in the mouth. We all occasionally experience a dry mouth, but many (approx. one in four) experience it more frequently, and if not treated, it can be very uncomfortable and can impact on your dental health.

The main causes of dry mouth are:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications

• Medical conditions like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s , Parkinson’s, Sjogren’s syndrome, hypertension, stroke, dementia, depression

• Patients having treatment for cancer

• Dehydration as a result of fever, sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood loss and burns

• Smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee

• Surgical removal of the salivary glands.

The main symptoms of dry mouth are:

• Viscous or sticky / stringy saliva

• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue

• Cracked lips and split skin at the corners of the mouth

• Severe halitosis (bad breath)

• Frequent thirst causes excess drinking of water, resulting in increased urination and disturbed sleep

• Problems speaking, tasting, chewing, swallowing, wearing dentures.

Saliva plays an important role in keeping your mouth moist for comfort, lubricates as you chew and digest your food, neutralizes harmful acids, kills bacteria, prevents bad breath, protects your teeth’s enamel and helps in the healing process of wounds.

Management of dry mouth:

• Manage your medical conditions to reduce your medications. Speak to your GP to see if they can reduce the dose or change to one that does not cause dry mouth

• Change your lifestyle by stopping smoking, reducing caffeine and limit alcohol consumption

• Visit the Dentist regularly, improve oral hygiene, use a fluoride toothpaste and if necessary use an alcohol-free mouthwash

• Limit sugary foods and drinks

• Chew sugar-free gum where possible or suck on sugar-free pastilles to stimulate saliva flow

• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes that contain xylitol. Brands include Biotene moisturising gel/mouthwash, Oralieve mouth spray, XyliMelts, ACT moisturising gum.

• Full denture wearers can use a fixative like Fixodent which has antibacterial properties to help hold the dentures in.

By Satish Chappiti from Arc Healthcare, 2 Watergate Street, Ellesmere SY12 0EU Tel: 01691 623692 www.archealthcaredental.co.uk