Dry Mouth
Dry mouth can be hard to identify since saliva flow often changes slowly over time. You may notice that you are drinking water throughout the night or needing to sip water first thing in the morning. Other indications you may have dry mouth might be a change in your medication usage, a change in your medical history, difficulty tasting things, a metallic taste in the mouth, a red tongue, a tongue with lots of wrinkles, and preference for sweets such as ice cream. Whatever your symptoms, identifying and treating dry mouth early on can save a lot of your time and money.
You may not realize just how important saliva is to your overall health and to the health of your teeth. Saliva has minerals in it such as calcium and phosphate that help to re-strengthen your teeth after eating acidic foods that soften your teeth. It also helps to combat the acids in the foods and drinks that we eat. Your saliva even begins the process of breaking down your foods into molecules that your body can absorb and use for fuel! A lack of saliva can be uncomfortable, can make speech difficult, and can make eating un-enjoyable.
If you are experiencing any symptoms related to dry mouth, call us today to set up a visit. People with dry mouth typically get cavities that form right at the gumline. These cavities encircle the tooth, grow quickly, and make the tooth more likely to break off or experience pain. We have a range of products that we recommend for dry mouth, such as Carifree products, and several prescriptions we can use to replace the lost minerals from your saliva or even to increase your salivary flow. Be sure to drink lots of plain water, brush after each meal, floss at least once per day, and seek regular dental check-ups.