Treating Dry Mouth
Dr. Christian Johnson DMD aims to deliver the best when it comes to dentistry in and around the Waldorf, MD area. We strive to help all our patients achieve comprehensive dental wellness so they can attain a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. We offer a wide range of dental treatments to help fix any oral or dental problems you may have. One of these problems may be dry mouth.
What Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can occur when there is an insufficient amount of saliva in the mouth to keep it moisturized. Dry mouth isn't just limited to a sticky and dry feeling in one's mouth, but it can also cause problems with chewing, swallowing, and talking. Dry mouth can also lead to mouth sores, gum disease, and tooth decay.
What Can Cause Dry Mouth?
A number of different factors can contribute to dry mouth, including:
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Stress
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Smoking
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Autoimmune disorders
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Diabetes
- Certain kinds of medications
How to Treat Dry Mouth
If you happen to have dry mouth, there are a couple of things you can do to treat it. It's recommended that you:
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Regularly drink plenty of water throughout the day.
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Stimulate your salivary glands by chewing on sugar-free gum or candy.
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Use over-the-counter artificial saliva.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom.
Proactively Preventing Dry Mouth
If you're suffering from dry mouth or you just want to prevent it, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make to minimize the risk of dry mouth. Some of the things you can do include:
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Avoiding caffeinated beverages such as soda and coffee.
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Stop smoking.
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Drinking more water during the day.
- Using alcohol-free mouthwash.
Contact Your Waldorf, MD Dentist Today
If these methods aren't working to stop your dry mouth, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. You can give us a call at (301) 645-3230 or fill out our online appointment request form. If you have any questions about dry mouth or any of our dental services, please feel free to contact us and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you. We look forward to hearing from you and keeping you on the path to a lifetime of great oral health!