Ever get that dry, sticky feeling in your mouth? Most likely the answer is yes. For these people, dry mouth is far more than just a nuisance. Consistent dry mouth is a medical condition that requires treatment. Without treatment, dry mouth can lead to a number of oral health problems. At Eagle Gate Dental, we offer our Salt Lake City patients dry mouth treatment as well as restorative dentistry services to repair teeth that have been damaged by the effects of dry mouth.

What Is Dry Mouth?

Factors such as dehydration and the temporary use of certain medications can lead to an occasional dry or sticky feeling in the mouth. However, the medical condition known as dry mouth describes a person whose mouth consistently lacks proper moisture. This occurs when the patient fails to produce a significant amount of saliva. Because saliva is the mouth’s natural moistening and cleansing mechanism, it is extremely important for a patient to seek treatment if they suspect they suffer from dry mouth.

Dangers of Dry Mouth

Saliva plays a very important role in the mouth. It maintains a moist environment that makes oral functions easy and comfortable, and helps to naturally wash away food particles, sugars, starches, and bacteria. When there is not significant saliva for these tasks to be achieved, the patient is at risk for the following oral health dangers:

• Difficulty or discomfort performing oral functions: Without adequate saliva, patients may have difficulty performing oral functions such as chewing, drinking, swallowing, and speaking. Dry mouth can also make chewing and swallowing food uncomfortable, as the saliva aids in breaking down and digesting food.
• Tooth decay: Good oral hygiene habits are vital to keeping the mouth clean. However, saliva is equally important. It is the natural cleanser that helps prevent the buildup of food particles and bacteria. Patients with dry mouth are more likely to suffer from tooth decay or gum disease because they lack this cleansing moisture. Without proper treatment, tooth decay and gum disease can ultimately result in tooth loss.
• Disease: Dry mouth will not lead to disease, but it may be a sign of disease. Certain diseases, such as diabetes and Parkinson’s are known to affect the salivary glands and cause dry mouth. For this reason, it is important for those who suffer from dry mouth to see a physician to ensure that there is not a physical illness causing this condition.

Treatment

The treatment for dry mouth will vary for each patient and will be dependent on what is believed to be causing the condition. In addition to treating dry mouth to avoid the dangers of this condition, our dentists can treat any damage that has already been experienced. We offer restorative treatments such as fillings, inlays and onlays, and dental crowns to repair the varying degrees of tooth decay and restore the tooth to optimal strength and function.

Schedule an Appointment

If you suffer from dry mouth, do not ignore treatment. This condition is more than an inconvenience and can lead to serious oral health consequences. Schedule an appointment with one of our dental professionals at your earliest convenience to discuss your options for restoring moisture to the mouth. We look forward to hearing from you!