What is xereostomia?<\/p>\n
Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is an oral condition marked by low salivary production.\u00a0 Without sufficient saliva, your oral health can become compromised \u2013 lubrication and digestive enzymes are absent and your mouth can not maintain a healthy pH.\u00a0 This condition leads to an increased susceptibility to microorganisms (which could impact your entire body, in addition to your mouth), cavities, fungal infections, and denture retention problems.\u00a0 Symptoms of xerostomia include a hoarse voice, frequent sipping of water, trouble eating and swallowing, cracked lips, swollen salivary glands, frequent oral yeast infections, and inflamed cheeks, tongue and gums.\u00a0 Although xerostomia is often overlooked or ignored, proper management is essential to prevent further complications.<\/p>\n
Your prescription medications may cause xereostomia…<\/p>\n
Causes of xerostomia include Sjorgen\u2019s syndrome, radiation to the head and neck, uncontrolled diabetes, nervous system disorders, depression, Sarcoidosis, and HIV, but most commonly as a side effect of medications, as noted among 400 commonly prescribed medications<\/b>.\u00a0 Currently, nearly half of all Americans use at least one prescribed medication, nearly one third use 2-3 medications and approximately ten percent use five or more medications.\u00a0 With greater prescription drug use, the occurrence of xerostomia is increasing.\u00a0 Such medications include drugs for cardiac conditions (alpha, beta, and calcium channel blockers, diuretics), anti-depressants, central analgesics, anti-Parkinson\u2019s drugs, anti-allergy meds, and antacids.\u00a0 Often, when a prescription drug does not cause dry mouth when used alone, it may when used in combination with other medications.<\/p>\n
Xerostomia can be experienced by anyone, but impacts the elderly most frequently.\u00a0 If not managed properly, dry mouth can lead to tooth loss, a poorer diet, and a decreased overall health.\u00a0 Treatment for xerostomia includes good home oral hygiene and regular recalls to your dentist.\u00a0 Stimulation of salivary flow with rinses, lozenges, and gels can also be used, and alcohol mouth rinses should be avoided.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What is xereostomia? Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is an oral condition marked by low salivary production.\u00a0 Without sufficient saliva, your oral health can become compromised \u2013 lubrication and digestive enzymes are absent and your mouth can not maintain a healthy pH.\u00a0 This condition leads to an increased susceptibility to microorganisms (which could impact […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n