Why You Don'T Want A Dry Mouth And What You Can Do To Avoid It

Dentist Blog

While you may feel that dry mouth is nothing more than an irritation to you, there are actually other problems that having a dry mouth often can lead to. There is a good reason why people have salivary glands in their mouth that are intended to constantly produce saliva. One of the main reasons for this is to help to break down the food you eat. However, saliva also plays other important roles with regards to the health of your teeth, and your mouth in general. Saliva helps to keep your teeth cleaner, it helps keep your gums and tongue healthier and it even helps to prevent things like bad breath and dry lips. This article will educate you on the causes of dry mouth and what you can do to prevent it from becoming a constant problem.

Why your mouth can become dry

There are a lot of different reasons why your mouth can suddenly start to become dry. It may be that you aren't drinking enough water and you are starting to show the beginning signs of dehydration. Also, eating certain types of foods, like those that contain a good amount of sodium, can lead to you experiencing a dryer than normal mouth. Drinking certain beverages like beer and soda can also contribute to a dry mouth.

Sometimes there are other factors that can lead to a dry mouth like stress and anxiety. If you are suddenly in a stressful or fearful situation, your mouth can get dry. However, this dryness will go away once you have calmed down and had some water. Certain medications can also cause you to suffer from dry mouth.

Complications of dry mouth

Constant dry mouth can make it harder for you to swallow. It can also leave you with dry and cracked lips. Not to mention, it is uncomfortable to have a dry mouth all the time. When you don't have enough saliva in your mouth it will increase your chances of cavities, bad breath and even gum disease.

How to help keep your mouth moist

One of the best things you can do to keep your mouth as moist as possible is to make sure you constantly drink water throughout the day. Carry a bottle of cold water with you everywhere you go so you will always have it right by you to sip on. Also, chewing sugar free gum throughout the day helps you to produce more saliva and combat dry mouth. If you continue to have problems, then perhaps a trip to the dentist, such as Bewick Keary DDS, can help you get to the bottom of things and the dentist may be able to help give you better advice on how to deal with the situation.

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12 July 2017

Mouth Rinses Are Not Just for Bad Breath

I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.