TMJ Treatment in Chicago Specialist Explains The Causes and Risks of Dry Mouth

tmj treatment chicago Dry mouth can be extremely uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing, but did you also know that it can wreak havoc on your dental health? Saliva helps control the amount of bacteria and fungi in your mouth. Without it, bad bacteria can multiply much faster and fungal infections are more likely. Our specialist for TMJ treatment in Chicago outlines the causes of risks of dry mouth, as well as some treatments and methods of prevention.

Causes of Dry Mouth

There are many different causes of dry mouth. It may be due to a medical condition or simply lifestyle factors:

Dehydration. This is the most obvious cause of dry mouth. If you’re dehydrated, your body will not produce saliva. This can be caused by diarrhea, exercising, or simply not drinking enough water.
Medications. Certain medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect. These include medications for epilepsy, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, among others.
Medical conditions. Conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome (chronic dryness of the eyes, mouth, nose), diabetes, anemia, and hypertension can cause dry mouth. There are other conditions that may cause it as well, such as sleep apnea, since your mouth is left open as you snore. Check with your doctor if you are being treated for any of these.
Smoking and chewing tobacco. These substances dry the mouth out.

Symptoms and Risks of Dry Mouth

The symptoms of dry mouth are easy to spot. Thirst, dryness of the throat, hoarseness, and bad breath may occur. You also may notice burning of the tongue, sores, and problems speaking or chewing.

The risks of long-term dry mouth include an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease, tooth decay, and fungal mouth infections like thrush. It is crucial to treat dry mouth to avoid damaging your gums and teeth!

Treatments for Dry Mouth

If dehydration is causing your dry mouth, simply drink water to relieve your symptoms. If drinking water does not help, or the dry mouth persists, you should consider other causes of the condition. Check if any of your current medications have dry mouth listed as a side effect, and if so, contact your doctor to see if they recommend reducing dosage or switching medications.

However, dry mouth may become a chronic condition for you, and there are options to treat it. Consider these:

Hydrating lozenges
Hydrating mouthwash
Suck on sugar-free candy to produce saliva
Breathe through your nose as much as possible
Use a humidifier to keep air moist in your home

Contact Our Specialist for TMJ Treatment in Chicago Today to Find Out More!

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to dentistry, feel free to contact Dente Complete Dentistry, with a convenient dental office in Chicago, IL, by calling 773.295.0562 or by clicking here.

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