Dry mouth refers to any condition in which your mouth is\nunusually dry. Most often, dry mouth is the result of a decrease in saliva\nproduced by the glands in your mouth (salivary glands)
\n
\nWhy is saliva so important?
\n\u2022Adequate saliva helps keep your teeth clean and protects your gums.
\n\u2022It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth
\n\u2022It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow
\n
\nDry mouth and drugs
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\nHundreds of medications, including many over-the-counter drugs, produce dry\nmouth as a side effect. Dry mouth leaves you more vulnerable todecay and gum\ndisease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\nHere is the list of most common medications that reduce saliva production:
\n
\nAntihistamines: allergy alleviating drugs, many of them over the counter.
\nDecongestants: Medicines of this group are easily available over the counter to\ntreat cold symptoms.
\nAntidepressants: They are becoming more and more common prescription drugs
\nAnorexiants are drugs that act on the brain to suppress appetite. They\nare also known as diet pills.
\nHypotension drugs: Also known as blood pressure medicine
\nDiuretics: Also known as water pills.
\nSedatives: Sleeping pills
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\nWhat can you do?
\n
\nCheck with your physician if drug you taking can be changed or dosage adjusted.\nIt is not recommended to stop taking any prescribed medication without\nconsulting with your doctor. For those who cannot remove medications from\ntheir diet, there are alternatives to relieve dry mouth:
\n
\n\u2022Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies to stimulate the flow\nof saliva
\n\u2022Limit your caffeine intake because caffeine can make your mouth drier.
\n\u2022Don\u2019t use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can be drying.
\n\u2022Stop all tobacco use if you smoke or chew tobacco.
\n\u2022Sip water regularly.
\n\u2022Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes, mouthwash or soft lozenges \u2014 look for\nproducts containing xylitol, such as Mouth Kote, Oasis Moisturizing
\n
\nMouth Spray, Biotene Oral Balance, Salese Soothing, or ACT Total Care Dry Mouth\nRinse, the last one also offer protection against tooth decay.
\n\u2022 Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
\n\u2022Add moisture to the air at night with a room humidifier.
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\nDry mouth is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have dry mouth,\nsee your dentist or physician for help.
\n
\nUse it or lose it.
\n
\nThis is a friendly reminder that at the end of the year your dental Insurance\nbenefits will expire. Now is a good time to see your dentist for check up or\nfinally take care of dental treatment that you have been post pointing all year\nlong. Remind your friends and family to get the most out of their dental\ninsurance this year as well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dry mouth refers to any condition in which your mouth is unusually dry. Most often, dry mouth is the result of a decrease in saliva produced by the glands in your mouth (salivary glands) Why is saliva so important? \u2022Adequate saliva helps keep your teeth clean and protects your gums. \u2022It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth \u2022It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow Dry mouth and drugs […] (Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-33","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\n