20 Sep

Dry mouth cases dry up at City of London dentists

Nearly 20 per cent of us will suffer from the uncomfortable condition dry mouth at some point in our lives. It is caused by a drop off in the production of saliva in the mouth. Saliva’s role in the mouth is often underestimated. More than just moistening and cleansing, it is integral in aiding the body to taste, chew and digest food and helps to protect the oral cavity and lips form bacteria and fungal infection.
Dry mouth can often be an indicator of a wider systemic problem in the body that can be caused by a variety of factors. Medicinal side effects are one of the top reasons behind dry mouth. Treatments prescribed for high blood pressure, anxiety and allergies all include dry mouth as a side effect. In fact nearly 80 per cent of the most commonly used medicines cite dry mouth as a possible side effect.
Dry mouth can occur as the result of numerous physiological and psychological conditions. Diabetes and AIDS can be the cause as can depression and stress related conditions. An autoimmune condition known as Sjögren’s Syndrome, which causes a general dryness throughout the body is also one of the most common causes for dry mouth.
Dry mouth can also be the result of the natural ageing process. As we get older, the body tends to produce less and less saliva, although this s possibly more of a contributing factor than an actual cause of the condition.
Dry mouth can be combated by making small adjustments to your lifestyle. Drinking less alcohol and caffeine and avoiding tobacco products all together will make a significant difference. More effective brushing, flossing and overall dental hygiene will also reduce the risk of dry mouth. A City of London dentist will be able to asses the likely causes of dry mouth for each individual and make suggestions on how to alleviate this uncomfortable and unpleasant condition. There are also a number of drugs they might prescribe if natural adjustments aren’t working.