South High Dental Dry Mouth Columbus, OH

DRY MOUTH

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is caused by an inadequate supply of saliva. Very common in older adults, dry mouth is usually due to medication side effects, but may have other causes.

Dry Mouth

Do I have dry mouth?

Dry mouth is not a specific disorder, but actually a symptom of another issue. Besides an uncomfortable dryness in the mouth, those suffering from dry mouth may also experience:

Why should I see a dentist about my dry mouth?

For many, dry mouth is just annoying, and not a serious problem.

But for some it can lead to other serious conditions. Saliva keeps the tissues in our mouths well lubricated, keeps our teeth clean, and helps digest food. Inadequate saliva can be uncomfortable, lead to problems eating and speaking, and contribute to tooth decay.

What causes dry mouth?

While aging itself is responsible for some dry mouth, most cases are due to the side effects of medications. There are literally hundreds of medications that list dry mouth as a side effect. We can help determine the particular causes of your dry mouth, and help rule out rarer but more serious conditions.

What can I do about my dry mouth?

If a medication is the cause, your physician may be able to prescribe an alternate medication.

Many common sense approaches will also help, including taking frequent sips of water and stimulating saliva with sugar free gum or candy. Reducing your intake of caffeine, carbonated beverages and alcohol may also help.

What can South High Dental do about my dry mouth?

Consult with us at South High Dental to rule out some serious conditions that reduce the flow of saliva. Once we have ruled out other causes, we will recommend some simple remedies. There are also some oral rinses and artificial saliva products available. We will recommend that you be especially vigilant about oral hygiene, since inadequate saliva can increase your chance of tooth decay.

Why choose South High Dental in Columbus, OH for your dental services needs?

With years of experience creating healthy smiles with dental services, our team at South High Dental uses the latest in dentistry so you can get the smile you want and need. Call us at 610-922-8952 or contact us to make an appointment to treat any dental problems such as dry mouth. At South High Dental in Columbus, OH we are happy to provide our dental services to our neighboring communities including Obetz, Grove City, Groveport, South-South High St., Ashville, Circleville, and surrounding areas in Ohio. We offer flexible hours and most insurances covers our treatments such as:

Want a better smile?