March 9, 2007, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills -- Does your mouth feel like a dessert some days? Do dry foods scrape your mouth like sandpaper? Is it difficult to swallow?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have xerostomia.

CAUSES
Better known as dry mouth, xerostomia is caused by thickened or reduced saliva flow. This condition results from one or several factors:

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• System-wide diseases, such as anemia or diabetes
• Stones or tumors in the ducts that block the salivary ducts
• Natural dehydration
• Stress
• Such therapies as radiation, localized surgery and more
• Sjogren's Syndrome, manifested by arthritis, lupus, infections of the salivary glands, etc.
• Mouth breathing
• Smoking cigarettes
• Dry air or poor air quality

IMPORTANCE OF SALIVA
Saliva consists primarily of water, with small amounts of electrolytes, small organic molecules, enzymes and other proteins.

Saliva serves several vital body functions, including:

•  Reducing bacterial growth that causes tooth decay and oral infections
•  Washing away plaque and food fragments
•  Lubricating the teeth
•  Providing minerals that allow remineralization of beginning cavities
•  Providing enzymes used in digestion
•  Lubricating food for easier swallowing
•  Aiding in the tasting process
•  Moistening skin inside the mouth for easier chewing and speaking

SIGNS OF DRY MOUTH
In addition to the above listed signs of dry mouth, sufferers may experience:

•  General dry mouth
•  Bad breath
•  Fissures or sores at the corner of the lips
•  Difficulty speaking, swallowing and chewing some types of food
•  A continual need for liquids
•  A tingling or burning of the tongue
•  Changes in taste
•  Cracking and bleeding of the mouth tissues
•  Frequent fungal infections

TREATMENT
The primary treatment for dry mouth is to control the conditions causing it. See your dentist immediately if blockage of the salivary ducts are causing the dryness. Medication should be changed if prescriptions are at fault. Xerostomia caused by systemic diseases often will decrease when the condition is under better control.

You also can take simple steps to reduce dry mouth.

•  Reduce consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages to the bare minimum
•  Increase your intake of water and fruit juices
•  Chew gum and lemon drops to stimulate your saliva flow
•  Commercial saliva substitutes, available without prescription, can be used as often as needed
•  Use a humidifier in your bedroom
•  Practice good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly

If the problem persists, Dr. Anthony Mobasser can investigate possible other influences. Keep in mind that inadequate saliva can lead to severe tooth decay.
Because radiation treatments to the head and neck cause dry mouth, it's important you discuss with your doctor and dentist ways of minimizing exposure and increasing your saliva flow

LEARN MORE
Call top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser today at 1.310.550.0383 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about dealing with dry mouth.
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