A dry mouth may sound familiar to you since it typically happens to anyone. This oral condition is also known as xerostomia, where the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to moisten your mouth. Some of you may think it is just an ordinary, little dental issue. Well, it is probably right, but not most of the time. The longer someone experiences dry mouth may be an indication of other health conditions. It may also result in gum diseases, tooth decay, and even bad breath. So, to understand more, here are a few pieces of knowledge about its causes.
3 Principal Causes of Dry Mouth
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Decreased amount of Saliva
Not having enough saliva can surely cause a dry mouth. It happens once your body does not receive enough fluid, especially water. As a result, you feel stickiness in your mouth and may experience difficulty swallowing dry foods.
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Side effects of certain medications
According to The American Academy of Oral Medicine, over 1,110 medications have the potential to cause dry mouth. And yes, we couldn't agree more. Some medications just cause our mouth to dry, including antidepressants, antihistamines, etc. This is why it is essential to ensure what your medications are and its side effects.
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Breathing through the mouth while sleeping
Lots of adults snore and breathe using their mouths. Due to that, there is a high possibility of having a dry mouth during and after sleep. It dries up the saliva and is bad for the health of those individuals, not just orally but also physically.
How to Combat Dry Mouth
- Drink at least eight (8) glasses of water daily to keep yourself hydrated.
- Stay consistent with your oral hygiene. You may use an electric toothbrush instead of the manual to ensure you have a thorough cleaning of your teeth. It will wash away bacteria and remove cavities as well.
- You may chew sugar-free gums to increase the amount and flow of saliva in your mouth.
- Limit or stop using tobacco and alcohol; it will only make your mouth drier.
It is crucial to keep your mouth moisturized all the time. Saliva is there in our mouth for a very significant reason, which is why once you experience dry mouth for a long time, see a professional immediately. Now if you need assistance or answers to your queries, write a comment below for us to cater to your concerns.
