Dry mouth may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can lead to a host of issues. Increased presence of plaque, tooth, decay and gum disease are almost inevitable when you have dry mouth. People with dry mouths also experience mouth sores, cracked lips and mouth infections like thrush. Here is what you need to look out for and how to know if you need dry mouth therapy.
Symptoms
The first step to knowing you need dry mouth therapy is knowing if you have dry mouth. If you do, it might seem pretty obvious. These are a few of the symptoms you should look out for:
- Saliva that’s thick and stringy
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
- Dry or sore throat and hoarseness
- Dry or grooved tongue
- A changed sense of taste
If you struggle with any of these, you might be a good candidate for dry mouth therapy.
Causes
There are multiple causes of dry mouth, and they can be triggered by a variety of issues. For many, a new medication might be causing dry mouth. Here are all the common causes of dry mouth:
- Side effect of certain medications
- Diseases and infections like diabetes, anemia, hypertension, HIV/AIDS
- Medical treatments like radiation and chemotherapy
- Nerve damage
- Dehydration
- Lifestyle habits like chewing and smoking tobacco
Depending on the cause, solutions can be simple like reevaluating your medication regimen, changing detrimental lifestyle habits (especially those involving tobacco), or keeping more hydrated throughout the day can help solve dry mouth.
Signs it’s Time for Therapy
For most people who experience dry mouth, it’s a temporary condition that happens after a surgery, a medical treatment or another life event. Finding out what is causing it and dealing with the symptoms while you have them is typically the best way to handle it. However, there is a possibility that dry mouth will lead to a need for dry mouth therapy. If changing your lifestyle or medication doesn’t decrease your symptoms, or if you have symptoms for a long time and can’t figure out why, it may be time for a consultation.
At Viner Dental, we understand all the ways that dry mouth can get in the way of everyday life. That’s why we offer dry mouth therapy services to our patients. Call us today at 561-367-9922 to schedule a consultation.
