ROCHESTER, MINN. -- If your mouth is so dry you think twice before you lick an envelope, you might have xerostomia (zeer-o-STO-me-uh), the medical term for dry mouth.
Once blamed on aging, doctors and dentists now know that xerostomia is most often a side effect of medication. And it's not merely a nuisance. According to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, dry mouth can affect how your food tastes and even the health of your teeth. Saliva enhances your ability to taste food and makes it easier to swallow. It helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from your teeth.
If you have dry mouth, see your dentist or doctor for an evaluation. If medication is believed to be the cause, your doctor may suggest a change.
If the cause can't be changed, there are other things you can do to help.
* Suck on sugar-free hard candy. Avoid lemon candy; it makes saliva acidic and increases the possibility of tooth decay. * Chew sugar-free gum. Gums with the ingredient xylitol can help reduce cavity-causing bacteria. * Sip on water regularly. * Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes.* Breathe through your nose.* Add moisture to the air with a room vaporizer. * Ask your doctor about medication to stimulate saliva production.
Shelly Plutowski507-284-5005 (days)507-284-2511 (evenings)e-mail: [email protected]
RSS