Diagnosis and Treatment for Dry Mouth from Weybridge Dentist

A dry mouth is something that you should not ignore. Although it is considered to be more of a symptom than a disease, a dry mouth would indicate a more serious underlying condition. In order to determine what health condition could be linked to this particular symptom, a Weybridge dentist can help you.

Also referred to as xerostomia, a dry mouth is usually common in the elderly. There are several causes for dry mouth including:

• Medication side effect – pain relievers, drugs for allergies, depression and even cold
• Disease or infection – rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, cystic fibrosis, diabetes and high blood pressure
• Dehydration – due to excessive sweating, diarrhea and vomiting
• Radiation therapy

Without early diagnosis and treatment, a dry mouth can cause tooth decay and formation of plaque. This is because your saliva neutralizes the high acidity in your mouth that is considered to be harmful to the enamel of your teeth.

If you think you have a dry mouth, it would be wise to see your dentist. A detailed medical history will be obtained from you in order to rule out other causes. Your  dentist will also check your mouth in order to assess the saliva flow and for signs of gum disease or cavities.

If the dry mouth condition is temporary and treatable, your dentist will be able to prescribe a medicine that could improve saliva flow. In addition, he/she will make sure that tooth decay is prevented by using fluoride treatments. You can expect your Weybridge dentist to recommend a good dental hygiene practice.

Remember that a dry mouth can only be diagnosed and treated by professionals at The Mulberry dental Clinic. If you follow the recommended treatment for dry mouth, there will no need to worry about dental problems usually associated with it.