Dry Mouth Can Have Several Different Causes

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Chronic dry mouth is a recognized medical condition where a person experiences a significant decrease in saliva production on a regular basis. Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining your daily oral health by helping to wash away food particles and bacteria after eating.

Our dentist, Dr. Stan Scalf encourages you to seek out the cause of your chronic dry mouth issues to better find an effective treatment.

Many prescription medications cause dry mouth as a common side effect. In a situation like this, you should talk to your physician about your options. While it’s important to keep taking your medication, there are a few daily habits that might help reduce the problem. It could be as simple as sipping water frequently throughout your day, chewing sugar-free gum and reducing salt intake in your diet. In some cases, your physician might prescribe artificial supplemental saliva drops.

Regular tobacco use and frequent alcohol consumption can also dehydrate you and can also impair the natural activity of your saliva glands.
Some types of oral and pharyngeal cancer also can cause reduced saliva production. If you notice dry mouth associated with swelling in your mouth, neck or throat you should seek medical attention to confirm the diagnosis and discuss possible treatment options.

If you would like help identifying the cause of your chronic dry mouth issues, we invite you to call Stan Scalf DMD’s office in Georgetown, Kentucky at 502-863-9340 to explore your treatment options.