Don't worry, that peculiar word for dry mouth does not refer to some rare disease for which there is no treatment now available. It is a straightforward description of the condition known as dry mouth. At Summerlin Dental Solutions in Las Vegas, Nevada, there are a variety of treatments, both natural and medicinal, that can be used to assist prevent and treat the condition.
Why does my mouth feel so dry?
What it sounds like, dry mouth, is precisely what it is. Your salivary glands aren't giving their full effort to their responsibilities, and as a result, they aren't creating enough saliva to keep your mouth adequately moistened.
Why is it vital to have a wet mouth? The truth is, in spite of the fact that it's kind of nasty, saliva serves several crucial functions in your mouth. The presence of it helps eliminate microorganisms that could be damaging to your oral health and maintains a clean mouth. Consuming food kickstarts the digestive process and provides your body with a boost in its ability to break down the stuff you eat.
Your dental health will begin to deteriorate in general if you spend a significant amount of time with insufficient saliva in your mouth. It is much more crucial to maintain good oral hygiene when you do not have the saliva in your mouth to provide the bacteria-fighting superpowers. Brush your teeth and floss at least twice daily to maintain a healthy and clean mouth. If you don't take care of your teeth and gums, you run the risk of developing conditions including gum disease and tooth decay.
You may also suffer additional bothersome symptoms, including the following: a dry throat, a burning sensation in the throat or mouth, dry nose and nasal passages, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and difficulty speaking.
Why does my mouth feel so dry first thing in the morning?
There are a few potential explanations for why you are suffering from dry mouth. There are some of the causes that can be avoided, but there are others that cannot. However, there are many different techniques to relieve dry mouth, which we will go over in the following paragraphs.
Mouth Breathing
About 45 percent of people experience periodic bouts of snoring. An estimated twenty-five percent of persons have a snoring problem that is severe enough to wake up their sleeping partners or even themselves.
In addition, over 22 million people in the United States are affected with sleep apnea, a disorder in which patients temporarily cease breathing while they are sleeping. There are a lot of people who don't wake up enough to recognize they have this illness, which, if it isn't treated, can lead to a variety of health concerns.
People who snore and those who have sleep apnea frequently breathe through their mouths rather than their noses. It's possible that you're breathing via your mouth due to a habit or simply because your nose is congested.
It's possible that this is the cause of your discomfort, especially if you have a history of experiencing dry mouth first thing in the morning. Find a dentist who can fit you for an oral appliance that you can wear while you sleep to help prevent you from sleeping with your mouth open. You can do this by finding a dentist who can fit you for an oral appliance.
Medications
Many different kinds of medication, both those that are prescribed and others that are readily available without a doctor's input, might cause your mouth to feel dry. Sadly, this adverse reaction is a common side effect of many drugs used to treat ongoing health concerns. Several common examples include the following: medication for high blood pressure; antihistamines; decongestants; antidepressants and other medications for mental health difficulties; and meds that treat allergies.
• Medications used to treat Parkinson's disease
As you can see, you cannot simply stop taking several of these medications just because you are having dry mouth. Make sure that your dentist is aware of any drugs that you are currently taking, and discuss the significant effects of dry mouth with your primary care physician. They might be able to prescribe a different medicine for you that won't cause as much dryness as the one you're now taking.
Diseases
Dry mouth is a symptom that can be caused by a number of different medical disorders. Dry mouth can be a symptom of diabetes and can be brought on by recurrent dehydration, as well as high blood sugar levels. Additionally, many diabetes drugs could cause your mouth to feel dry.
Chemotherapy may produce an initial case of dry mouth, or it may cause the symptom months or even years later. Localized cancer treatments for head and neck tumors, such as radiation and chemotherapy, can cause irreversible damage to the salivary glands, which can lead to persistent dry mouth.
Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune ailment that primarily affects women who have previously gone through menopause. It is a condition that is relatively unknown. The condition affects the connective tissues that are located close to your mouth and eyes, and one of the key symptoms is having a dry mouth.
Alzheimer's disease patients frequently struggle to keep their water intake at a healthy level because they forget how much they should be drinking. Dehydration can cause a number of unpleasant side effects, including dry mouth.
Aging
Dry mouth is one of the many disorders that appears to be caused by aging, and this is not an exception. Xerostomia affects around one in three people over the age of 65, but that percentage more than doubles to forty percent in people over the age of 80.
The usage of alcohol and cigarettes
Here is yet more justification for abstaining from the use of smoke and consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol. In addition to hangovers, stained teeth, and foul breath, you may also have dry mouth as a side effect of drinking too much.
Both acidic and dehydrating, alcohol can contribute to a dry mouth because of its effects on both of these characteristics. Even mouthwashes that aren't based on alcohol can have a harmful impact.
The use of tobacco has a negative impact on saliva production and is one of the factors that contributes to a variety of oral health issues. As an illustration, a startling 39% of smokers suffer dry mouth, although only 12% of non-smokers report having the same problem.
Use of drugs for fun and recreation
Using cigarettes is not the only factor that might change the amount of saliva that flows through your mouth. Methamphetamine use results in the notorious and utterly revolting "meth mouth," which is characterized by symptoms such as a dry mouth. However, crystal meth isn't the only dangerous substance out there. Other substances, such as heroin and ecstasy, are also capable of causing significant problems.
What can I do to prevent waking up with a dry mouth after going to bed?
If it is a chronic condition, dry mouth can have some major medical effects in addition to being uncomfortable. These consequences include: There is a possibility that you will feel a diminished sense of taste, in addition to having difficulty obtaining the appropriate nourishment.
You may also start to develop dental problems, such as gum disease and cavities, if you haven't been taking care of your teeth. If you don't take care of these issues, you can even end up losing your teeth! If you have dry mouth on a regular basis, going to the dentist on a regular basis is something that you should really consider doing in order to preserve the beauty of your smile.
It's possible that your dentist or doctor will recommend or prescribe the use of particular products to assist ease the symptoms of dry mouth. Fluoride treatments include the following: special toothpaste, mouthwash that doesn't dry out your mouth, topical gel, oral medication, nasal or mouth spray, and topical gel.
You don't have a healthcare professional saved in your contacts, do you? Find a dentist in your area who can provide you with the most helpful medical advice on your problems with dry mouth.
Remedies available at home to alleviate nighttime dry mouth
In addition, there are a few home treatments that are effective and may be done to prevent having a dry mouth while sleeping.
In order to avoid becoming dehydrated, you should:
Is diabetes often accompanied by dry mouth?
Dry mouth can affect people of any age or gender. On the other hand, one of the most prevalent symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is waking up with a dry mouth. It is not known for certain what causes dry mouth, but one possible explanation is excessive blood sugar levels. In addition, it's common knowledge that diabetic drugs, whether type 1 or type 2, will leave you with a dry mouth as a side effect.
Because I have a dry mouth, how frequently should I go to the dentist?
Unfortunately, persons who suffer from dry mouth are at a higher risk of developing gum disease and cavities in their teeth. It is essential to go to the dentist at least twice a year in order to detect and treat dental illnesses in their early stages, before they become more severe.
Living one's life with a perpetually dry mouth
There are some situations in which you won't be able to eliminate the underlying problem that's causing your dry mouth. For instance, if you have an illness that causes your immune system to attack itself or if you are required to take a medicine that dries out your lips. The helpful suggestions that we have provided, on the other hand, will assist you in minimizing the impact of the situation.
In addition to that, maintaining excellent dental hygiene is of the utmost significance. Always floss and brush your teeth, and see the dentist at least twice a year.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
DRY MOUTH PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS AT YOUR SUMMERLIN DENTAL OFFICE
Dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth are not producing enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. At Summerlin Dental Solutions, Dr. Cohan says that Dry mouth is frequently caused by a side effect of certain drugs, as a result of age, or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Dry mouth can be caused by a disorder that directly affects the salivary glands, however this is a rare occurrence.
Saliva aids in the prevention of tooth decay by neutralizing acids generated by bacteria, reducing bacterial development, and washing away food particles from the mouth. Saliva also improves your ability to taste, as well as making it simpler to chew and swallow certain foods. In addition, saliva contains enzymes that help in your digestion.
In some cases, decreased salivation and dry mouth are only a little inconvenience, but in others, they can have a significant influence on overall health, the health of your teeth and gums, as well as your appetite and pleasure of food.
The treatment for dry mouth is dependent on the underlying reason.
SYMPTOMS
The following indications and symptoms may be present all the time or most of the time if your saliva production is inadequate:
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT !
In addition, dry mouth can cause lipstick to adhere to the teeth, which is undesirable.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: When should you visit your Summerlin dental office?
A: Please schedule an appointment with your doctor if you've been experiencing recurrent dry mouth signs and symptoms. There could be so many other issues or correlated problems associated with your dry mouth such as decayed teeth that you are unable to see for yourself without the benefit of a dental exam.
Q: What are the Potential Causes?
A: When the salivary glands in the mouth do not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, you will experience a dry mouth. It is possible that these glands will not function adequately as a result of:
Q: What medications cause dry mouth?
A: Hundreds of medicines, including many over-the-counter treatments, have been linked to dry mouth as a negative side effect. There are certain types of medications that are more likely to create difficulties than others. These include pharmaceuticals intended to treat depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety, as well as antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and pain relievers.
Q: Does normal aging cause a dry mouth?
A: With age comes a dry mouth, which affects a large proportion of the population as we see so often at our Summerlin Dental office. In addition to the usage of specific drugs, changes in the body's capacity to metabolize medication, poor nutrition, and having long-term health problems are also contributing factors to this condition.
Q: What about Chemotherapy for cancer patients.
A: Chemotherapy medications have the potential to alter the composition and quantity of saliva produced. It is possible that this is a transient condition, with normal salivary flow returning when the therapy is done. Radiation treatments to the head and neck can cause salivary glands to become inflamed, resulting in a significant reduction in saliva production. Depending on the radiation dose and the region treated, this might be either temporary or permanent.
Q: Does Damage to the nerves cause a dry mouth?
A: You may have dry mouth as a result of an injury or surgery that causes nerve damage in your head and neck area.
Q: Do Any other medical problems cause a dry mouth?
A: Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of medical illnesses, including diabetes, stroke, yeast infection (thrush) in your mouth, Alzheimer's disease, and autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome and HIV/AIDS. It can also be caused by some medications. Dry mouth can be exacerbated by snoring and breathing with your mouth open while sleeping.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT !
Q: What about Tobacco and alcoholic beverage consumption?
A: The use of alcoholic beverages, as well as the smoking or chewing of tobacco, can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms.
Q: The use of illegal drugs for recreational purposes.
A: In addition to severe dry mouth and tooth destruction, methamphetamine usage can result in the development of a disease known as "meth mouth." Marijuana can also produce dry mouth as a side effect.
Potential Complications
If you don't have enough saliva, you may experience the following symptoms:
Treatment in Las Vegas, Nevada
If you find yourself experiencing dry mouth, give us a call today at Summerlin Dental Solutions. Dr. Cohan will be able to examine you and find the proper solution for your dry mouth.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT!
GET TO KNOW YOUR DENTIST
Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
