Your general dentist in Yakima, WA, can help keep your smile healthy.
Saliva is a good thing because it helps provide a buffer between digestive acids and your teeth. When you don’t produce a lot of saliva, you have a dry mouth, and that’s a bad thing. Fortunately, your dentist can help you protect your smile when you have a dry mouth.
Dr. Karen Tritinger-Young of Lakeside Dentistry offers comprehensive dental care including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and general dentistry services in Yakima, WA, to help keep your smile healthy.
There are several reasons why you might have a dry mouth, including:
- Aging
- Radiation treatment to the area of your salivary glands
- Cancer in the area of your salivary glands
- Medical conditions involving your salivary glands
One of the main causes of dry mouth is medications. Many common medications cause dry mouth as a side effect. These are just a few of them:
- Antidepressants
- Decongestants
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxants
- Appetite suppressants
- Diuretics
When you have a dry mouth, it can cause:
- An increased risk of tooth decay, because saliva protects your teeth from digestive acids
- Irritated soft tissue, including your gums, cheeks, and tongue
- An increased risk of gum disease and periodontal disease
- Digestive issues, because saliva and chewing help to break down and digest your food
There are some things you can do to prevent harm from dry mouth. Remember to practice an excellent program of plaque control by:
- Brushing after meals and before bed
- Always using a toothpaste containing fluoride
- Flossing at least once each day
You can also purchase products made for dry mouth. Biotene is one product you can try.
Fluoride is also your friend, especially when you have a dry mouth. Fluoride treatments can help remineralize and harden tooth enamel to prevent tooth decay. Ask your dentist about fitting you with a custom fluoride tray and prescription-strength fluoride gel so you can give yourself a fluoride treatment at home.
Remember to visit your dentist regularly for a dental examination and x-rays. A dry mouth makes you more likely to have dental issues, especially tooth decay. Regular visits help your dentist identify problems while they are small and easy to treat.
To learn more about the causes and consequences of dry mouth, talk to your general dentist in Yakima, WA, by calling Dr. Tritinger-Young of Lakeside Dentistry at 509-494-0121 now!