Your natural saliva production plays a wide range of roles in the basic function of your mouth. This includes keeping your mouth moist for clear speech and daily comfort. It also helps lubricate your food while you eat for ease of swallowing. Once you’re done eating your mouth will continue to produce a small amount of saliva to help loosen and wash away food particles.
The condition of xerostomia can lead to a chronic reduction in saliva production. As this continues to occur it can increase your chances of suffering several different oral health problems. Identifying the underlying cause can help Dr. Samy Samaan to develop an effective treatment plan.
Sometimes a new prescription medication can decrease saliva production as a general side effect. While you will need to continue taking the medication you might be able to maintain adequate moisture in your mouth by periodically sipping on water or chewing a gum that’s been approved by the American Dental Association. It might also be possible for your primary physician to provide you with a prescription saliva substitute.
Chronic dehydration can also contribute to xerostomia. This is even more likely to occur if you consume alcohol on a frequent basis or use tobacco regularly. These things can easily impair the function of saliva glands in your mouth.
There are also some medical conditions that can also cause reduced saliva production. This could include a problem with your kidneys, liver, or blood health. Sometimes undiagnosed oral and pharyngeal cancer can also cause reduced saliva production.
If you live in the Roswell, Georgia, area and you have been struggling with a chronic dry mouth, you should call 678-245-4952 to set up an appointment with one of the oral care professionals at Royal Dental Spa.