In this blog post from Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco, we’re going to talk about dry mouth, an unpleasant condition that can have a negative influence on your dental health.
Reduction of saliva flow resulting in a dry mouth is a common problem, especially among older adults. However, most of us experience dry mouth at one time or another. Symptoms include a dry, red tongue, difficulty swallowing, and persistent sore throat.
While dry mouth is sometimes caused by disease or infection, a more frequent cause is as a side effect of certain prescription medications.
Decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and painkillers are just some of the drugs that list ‘dry mouth’ as a common side effect.
In addition to discomfort, untreated dry mouth can cause tooth damage. Adequate saliva is necessary to keep the mouth lubricated, wash the food from teeth, and neutralize the acidic environment caused by plaque. Extensive cavities can arise in the absence of saliva for dental patients with chronic dry mouth.
If you have dry mouth, please let us know at Steven T. Cutbirth DDS in Waco. We are a holistic practice, and offer a full range of general dentistry services. Schedule your next checkup today!
Contact Steven T. Cutbirth DDS:
254-772-5420
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1613 Lake Success Dr
Waco, Texas
76710