Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition that is frequently encountered in London with the use of certain systemic medications, such as cyclic antidepressants. The major effects of xerostomia are increased oral diseases (particularly caries), speech dysfunction, and difficulty in chewing and swallowing, and altered or diminished taste acuity.
Individuals with xerostomia and pre-existing periodontal disease are also at increased risk for developing root surface caries. Root surface caries can occur when there is a loss of supporting bone around the necks of the teeth. The neck areas of the teeth are more prone to caries development because the tooth structure is much softer there when compared to the hardness of enamel. Therefore, root surface caries can progress much faster than enamel caries and can be more detrimental to the tooth’s health.
Nutritionally, individuals with mouth dryness have been shown to have significant deficiencies in fibre, potassium, vitamin B6, iron, calcium, and zinc. Treatments may include the use of salivary substitutes and stimulants, ongoing dental treatment (i.e., fillings) and prevention. Your physician may also be able to help by reviewing your medications and possibly eliminating or substituting drugs that have an anti-cholinergic effect. Mouth care products can help alleviate mouth dryness. Xytitol, which is contained in toothpastes and gums, has been shown to stimulate salivary flow. So, visit your London dentist to receive the proper advice and treatment when you develop mouth dryness!

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a condition when the glands that produce the saliva for the mouth stop producing enough to keep the mouth moist. This problem in London dental patients seems to be very common and is usually a result of high stress. If the problem continues for longer duration of time, it is wise to find a good dentist in London to have them check the problem. Dry mouth can also be a symptom of other, more serious dental diseases.
If you think you may have dry mouth problems, the following symptoms may be present. See your dentist right away.
• Saliva thickens and you feel as though you can not talk or swallow correctly.
• The tongue gets a rough feel to it
• Your throat feels dry as does your mouth
• You may have a burning sensation in the mouth or be sensitive to spicy and salty foods
• Halitosis or bad breath may be present
• Sores in the mouth are common
• Lip cracking can occur
• The tongue can be red, dry and raw
• If you wear dentures, it is more difficult to have them in than usual
• Your thirst increases
The reason dry mouth is such a problem is because saliva is needed for many things. It helps us to chew our food, swallow without choking, talk, taste correctly, and aids in the digestion of food. It also keeps certain bacteria in the mouth, under control so we do not have to deal with infections. Saliva also protects the teeth from decaying.

What do you think about bad breath? It’s a sensitive topic and many people are hurt if you point out that they have bad breath. So what can you do to treat your bad breath easily?Don’t wait for some one to point out your bad breath. All you have to do is a simple five minute test and you can detect it yourself. Trust your own nose. Just hold your palms together to cover your mouth and nose and exhale air into your palm; you will get the odor of your mouth. Please do this test, especially if your friends are turning their face or keeping a distance from you while talking.

Find out the underlying reasons for your bad breath and that’s the only way you can treat it. There are many factors including medical problems which can cause bad breath. One of the main reasons is lack of proper oral hygiene. Bacteria react with food particles in the plaque, resulting in bad breath. Some medical problems such as sinus conditions and diabetes can cause bad breath. Tonsillolith, cavities, gum problems, dirty dentures, dry mouth, and stinky food also cause bad breath. You can find many products to control bad breath but it’s a good idea to get yourself checked by your London dentist to root out the main cause of bad breath.

The condition of dry mouth is a very common problem among elderly. Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. It is estimated that about 20% elders suffer from this condition. This condition can cause loss of tooth as well as gum disease in about 30% elderly population.Dry mouth is a condition in which there is decreased secretion of saliva. This decreased secretion can be caused by a lot of different factors. This can be caused by a medical problem pertaining to the salivary gland or can be a side effect of a medicine.

The medications that can cause dry mouth includes muscle relaxers, decongestants, antidepressants, antihistamines, pain pills, etc. If you are taking any of these medications then you must consult your physician to gain hands-on knowledge to prevent dry mouth.

Another question arises that what does saliva do, why is it so important. The answer to this is that saliva washes away the food particles from the mouth and thus reduces the chances of infection, it also reduces plaque by neutralizing the acids produced by plaque.

Now let us see what happens if this problem is left untreated. The dry mouth can cause hoarseness, problems with speaking, sore throat, dry nasal passages, problem wearing dentures, difficulty swallowing, etc.

If and when you become aware that any of the elders in the family are having dry mouth, then your first step should be to call and make an appointment with your London dentist. Your dentist will not only amicably guide you but will explain each and every step to prevent this problem from occurring.

Till you have your appointment setup, you can increase the flow of saliva by chewing on sugar-free gum or candy. Other important steps that need to be taken for dry mouth are brushing your teeth twice daily, regular checkups and eating nutritious food.

You might have experienced the feeling of dryness of mouth at least one time or other, which is quite natural while playing outside or during outdoor activities that is quenched easily by sipping some liquids. But when it becomes a continuous sensation affecting the quality of life, it requires our attention. Our mouth is kept moist and clean by the continuous secretion of saliva from salivary glands. The salivary glands are situated around the oral cavity and they all open into this cavity through very small pores. There are three pairs of major salivary glands viz. parotid, submaxillary, and sublingual/submandibular Saliva contains an important digestive enzyme ptyalin, and another protein mucin. Xerostomia or dry mouth is a condition affecting the mucous membranes and salivary glands. Generally, mouth is kept moist by continuous flow of saliva in to the buccal cavity. Any conditions affecting any of the structure or function of the related organs can cause inadequate secretion of saliva leading to the development of dry mouth, medically termed xerostomia and colloquially, cottonmouth. This condition can be due to some underlying diseases or due to some medications such as antihistamines, some antihypertensives, antidepressants, etc. This can be an after effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy for some malignant conditions and can also be caused by diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, etc. The natural causes of dry mouth are anxiety, dehydration, mouth breathing, etc. Some women undergoing HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) may develop dry mouth. Sometimes it could be the result of a trauma or injury to salivary glands, its ducts, or its nerves. We all know that saliva plays a major role in reducing dental caries. Hence, the treatment of xerostomia is of prime importance in preventing dental caries and other oral diseases. It is also important for taste perception. As this condition is secondary to some other condition, the basic point in treatment is to correct the primary condition which causes it. Dry mouth could be a problem in old age due to inadequate production of saliva, for which the easiest solution is to take frequent sips of non-sugary drinks. We can also use some non-sugary chewing gum, which will increase the flow of saliva. There are some artificial saliva and lubricating gels available over the counter, in all leading London pharmacies. Lack of saliva can be painful to the patient and the difficulties caused by it vary from simple dryness in mouth to difficulty in swallowing and even speech, affecting the quality of life. Therefore, even if you feel your symptoms only mildly, it is better to get the help and advice from your dentist to reduce the severity of the condition. The doctor may check the salivary flow rate by sialometry and if needed, a sialography to determine if you have xerostomia and the possible causes of it. He might also suggest the usage of total care toothpastes, alcohol-free mouth rinses, Oral Balance lubricating gels, xylitol gum etc. Increasing hard cheese in your diet also could help reduce the condition.