Even after you drink a bottle of water, you still feel thirsty. Your stomach is full of water, yet your mouth is still painfully dry. And don’t even mention the bad breath that lingers around because your mouth is lacking saliva. It’s frustrating! If you’re having issues keeping your mouth naturally hydrated you should be concerned. Not only does it affect the quality of your life, but chronic dry mouth can be deteriorating your oral health. Thankfully, your dentist in Virginia Beach at Esparza Family Dental offers a way to help resolve those dental issues as well as some tips to help improve your dry mouth.
What does having a dry mouth really mean for your health?
Are you curious as to why the smell of your breath is affected when your mouth is dry? Saliva plays a huge role in keeping your mouth clean naturally. It’s safe to view saliva like our natural mouthwash. Thin, hydrated saliva works to rinse bad dental bacteria away so that it doesn’t stick to our cheeks, tongue, and teeth. This helps keep our breath fresher and reduce our chances of developing major oral health issues like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
However, when you have chronic dry mouth, that dangerous dental bacteria and other debris can gather on your teeth, gums, and tongue and have a harder time moving around because your saliva becomes more thick and sticky. Here are some helpful tips that can make it easier to relieve your dry mouth.
1. Stay hydrated.
Drinking a lot of water is great for your whole body, not just your teeth and gums!
2. Chew sugar-free gum.
Every time you actively chew, especially sugar-free gum, the act stimulates the natural production of your saliva.
3. Try a mouthwash specialized for dry mouth.
Look for a mouthwash that includes xylitol, a natural saliva stimulant. Some examples are Biotene Dry Oral Rinse or ACT Total Care Dry Mouth Mouthwash. These mouthwashes also protect your teeth against the higher chances of tooth decay. If you need help locating one, talk to your family dentist in Virginia Beach.
4. Invest in a humidifier.
Some patients experience the worse dry mouth throughout the night or when they first wake up because they sleep with their mouths open. By using a humidifier, you may just be saving yourself from not only a dry mouth but a dry throat! A well-hydrated mouth will help your natural saliva fight off bad dental bacteria from sticking to your teeth and tongue throughout the night.
5. Avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
Both sugar and acid mix with dental bacteria to create a toxic substance that attacks your teeth. Your enamel quickly weakens when you indulge in sodas or sports/energy drinks. Mix these toxins with a dry mouth and your teeth, gums, and tongue become a breeding ground for tooth decay.
6. Visit Esparza Family Dentistry
If you have existing dental issues it’s important to address them—especially if you have chronic dry mouth. During your dental appointment, we will also be able to remove dental bacteria that may have been building up while you’ve had chronic dry mouth with a professional cleaning. If your dry mouth persists, our Dr. Esparza can prescribe you fluoride infused dental products to further protect your teeth.
Schedule Your Appointment!
If these steps still aren’t helping your dry mouth, schedule a special appointment to discuss further options. There may be more serious underlying factors that could be affecting your dental health. Our dental office is happy to schedule your next available appointment.