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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.