Having a dry mouth can have a very large negative impact on your oral health. One of the most important defenses from bacteria and infections is your saliva, and without it, the rest of your body is also at risk of getting sick.
Here are a few ways you may be causing dry mouth without even realizing.
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Whitening toothpaste
If the toothpaste you have is very strong on your gums and teeth, the chemicals may also be causing your mouth to dry out. Always drink water when you first wake up and before you go to sleep. In the morning, the water will help rehydrate your mouth while drinking water at night will help keep you more hydrated until the morning.
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Medications
Certain medications may be causing you to have a dry mouth that can’t be fixed by drinking water. If you notice that your mouth is very dry due to medication, ask your doctor to adjust the dosage so that your saliva production is higher.
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Nerve damage
You may have gotten nerve damage from an injury or a surgery which can cause dry mouth. Even if the injury/surgery was not actually in your mouth, it can still be caused by nerve trauma nearby in your head or on your neck.
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TMJ
TMJ can cause your jaw to not line up properly, leaving a gap somewhere along your mouth. The gap or even the misaligned jaw can disrupt normal saliva production making your mouth dry.
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Diabetes
Having high levels of glucose in your blood can cause dry mouth. If you notice that your mouth becomes especially dry after binging on sweets, get tested for diabetes. Also, make sure to hydrate well throughout the day to help process some of the extra sugar.
Dr. Lorraine Burio of Candlewood Dental Care has been treating and educating patients for over twenty-five years. Our office serves the New Fairfield, New Milford, Danbury, and Sherman areas of CT and Pawling, Patterson and Putnam Lake of New York. You can call us at 203-746-1200.