From time to time, we all feel like we’re parched or really need a drink of water, especially after exercising or eating something salty. And if you’re in a stressful situation, nervous, or upset about something, your mouth may go dry.
But if you have a dry mouth on a regular basis and if waking up with dry mouth is a regular occurrence for you, this is a sign you need to visit a dentist or doctor because you might be having some serious health issues.
Dry Mouth Symptoms
With dry mouth or a condition known as Xerostomia, you will feel like there isn’t enough saliva in your mouth. With this condition, you may have difficulty speaking, swallowing, tasting, or chewing. Perhaps you have a sticky, dry feeling or even a burning sensation in your mouth.
Often people also have a dry scratchy throat, cracked lips, bad breath, a dry rough tongue, mouth and lip sores and other infections in the mouth. More frequent gum disease, tooth decay can also be symptoms of underlying conditions that cause dry mouth.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
There are several things that cause dry mouth including:
- Drugs and medications
- Dehydration
- Infections
- Salivary gland and duct obstructions and damage
- Sjogren’s (show-gren’s) syndrome
- Other diseases and chronic illnesses like Diabetes, AIDs, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s Disease, or Alzheimer’s Disease
- Chronic mouth breathing and snoring
- Chemotherapy or radiotherapy and other cancer treatments
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Nerve Damage in head or neck
- Smoking
- Stroke
Diagnosis and Dry Mouth Treatment
A doctor or a dentist will examine a patient’s mouth, review his medical history and do blood tests. Sometimes the dentist will perform a procedure known as Sialometry, which measures the flow of saliva in the patient’s mouth. The dentist may do Saliography or take a radiograph of the mouth and perhaps do a biopsy on salivary glands.
Dry mouth can be treated with medications and other products. People who have dry mouth should practice good oral hygiene, regular brushing and flossing. But mouthwashes with alcohol can make the symptoms of dry mouth worse.
If you are experiencing dry mouth, be sure to come visit Modern Family Dental Care for a dental evaluation. We offer dental services and treatments in the Charlotte area at the following three locations:
Concord Dentist Location
Concord Mills
8455 Pit Stop Ct. NW, Suite 140
Concord, NC 28027
(704) 979-3436
Monday: Coming Soon
Tuesday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Wednesday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Charlotte Dentist Locations
Charlotte – Davis Lake:
Shoppes at Davis Lake
8505 Davis Lake Pkwy, Suite AB-3
Charlotte, NC 28269
(980) 498-1037
Monday: 7:00am – 4:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Friday: Coming Summer 2016
