Dry mouth is a condition in which your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva, leaving you with a persistent dry feeling in your mouth. If you experience this, be sure to tell us at Centreville Dental Wellness Center in VA.
The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia, which is pronounced zero-STOE-me-uh. It’s a known side effect of certain medications, and is also common in people who are undergoing radiation treatment for cancer. It’s also caused by a condition of the salivary glands themselves, but that is less common.
Causes
There are hundreds of medications that list dry mouth as a side effect. These include prescription drugs, and over-the-counter medicine. Antihistamines, decongestants, and pain medications may cause it, as well as many other drugs.
Dry mouth is also common in older people. Older people are often taking more medication than they did when younger. The body isn’t always as efficient in processing these medications as it once was.
Tobacco and alcohol use can also bring on symptoms of dry mouth, as well as recreational drugs.
Chemotherapy may have an impact on the salivary glands, and their ability to produce saliva. It might return to normal once the treatment is finished.
Complications
In addition to discomfort, dry mouth can lead to increased plaque on the teeth. This can, in turn, lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Yeast infections and sores around the mouth can also occur.
People with dry mouth may also have poor nutrition, because chewing and swallowing are more difficult.
The treatment for dry mouth depends on what’s causing it. If you have persistent dry mouth but don’t know why, please let us know at Centreville Dental Wellness Center in VA. Our services include complete family dentistry. Patients from Chantilly, Dulles Airport, Western Manassas, Manasses, Clifton, Gainesville, and Haymarket also come to us for restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Request an appointment today!
Contact Centreville Dental Wellness Center
703-815-0775
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
14245F Centreville Sq
Centreville, Virginia
20121
