Dry mouth is a common condition that affects primarily the older group, primarily women. Dry mouth is clinically called Xerostomia and the primary cause of dry mouth can be cited as due to lack of saliva to keep the mouth wet. The decreased secretion from salivary glands results in this painful condition for senior citizens.
Dry mouth condition is also quite common with young adults (20 years) these days. Some of the common symptoms may include: 1. Mouth sores 2. Frequent bad breath 3. Dentures that do not fit comfortably 4. A sticky, dry feeling in your mouth and tongue 5. Cracked lips 6. Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, tasting, or talking
Saliva is basically used to help people to chew, swallow and digest their food. It is also a basic protector of teeth, which prevents teeth from decay by washing away the any residual matter like sugar or acids produced by bacteria. When this saliva becomes less or is not produced sufficiently, this dry mouth condition occurs.
There are many health problems which can arise due to Xerostomia. 1.Reduced saliva flow results in lower pH levels in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and oral infections. 2.It can lead to dryness; a burning or sore feeling in the mouth or throat; bad or reduced taste; dentures becoming loose; difficulty in chewing, swallowing and even speaking.
Many preventive measures can be taken to avoid Xerostomia or dry mouth condition. Practice good hygiene. Brush/floss regularly and gargle on a regular basis. Celery, healthy liquids and parsley are good food substitutes to chew on. They retain moisture content and are good for weight management too!
People need to consume more than 8 glasses of water everyday and also avoid caffeine and alcohol. It is important not to sleep with an open mouth. Ensure you make a conscious effort to breathe through the nose. Steaming can also be of great help here. The market is filled with various dry mouth products. There are medicinal lozenges that are highly effective for dry mouth condition. Choose only lozenges that offer long lasting relief.
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