Causes and symptoms of dry mouth by Weybridge dentist

Another word for dry mouth syndrome is xerostomia.
Dry mouth can be for a short time or chronic and is mainly depend on the cause. There is an uncomfortable feeling of the mouth due to decrease in the saliva. It is due to the improper function of the salivary glands and there is less saliva in the mouth than normal.
Factors which can cause improper functions of the salivary glands.
Certain medical conditions (diabetes, strokes etc) some medications, antihistamines, decongestants antidepressants, diuretics, certain pain killers, muscle relaxant .Medications for Parkinsonism’s, for high blood pressure also can cause dry mouth syndrome. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments near the salivary glands in the head and neck reduces the production. The dentists in weybridge say that emotional stress and anxiety also can cause dry mouth syndrome.
There for the doctors in weybridge says how important you to tell your dentist about all the medicines you are taking as well as any treatment you receive. Hormonal changes in the pregnancy and menopause also can cause dry mouth syndrome.
In which age dry mouth syndrome affects more.
Dry mouth syndrome is more seen in younger adults but can affect a person of any age
Signs and symptoms of dry mouth syndrome.
The symptoms can be classified in to mild, moderate and severe. A dry, sticky feeling of the mouth. Or throat, insufficient saliva, saliva that feels thick a rough dry tongue ,sore throat, cracked lips, sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, altered sense of taste.
Importance of saliva.
The maintain component of saliva is water.(99%)the remaining contain lubricants, enzymes and proteins. In dry mouth syndrome due to insufficient saliva the soft tissues of the mouth becomes irritated making them more susceptible to infection. Another function of saliva is it washes away the food debris and making less susceptible to infection. The lubricating effect of saliva helps us in many ways; swallowing, and chewing food, in talking etc.
Treatments
Once you have the diagnosis done the dentist in weybridge emphasise the importance of giving a proper history to locate the cause. (Medications you are taking, any other treatment are going on etc).Treatment is decided up on the severity of the symptoms. If necessary the patient may refer to a periodontist. In case of simple dry mouth syndrome to restore the moisture of the mouth there are specially formulated oral rinses. Chewing sugar free -gum will stimulate the saliva flow, increase the fluid intake. Artificial saliva or saliva substitute is available in the market. People with dry mouth syndrome are advised to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, and avoid tobacco. Exercising good oral hygiene (visiting the dentist regularly, brushing your teeth twice daily and using the recommended mouth wash) is necessary to beat with dry mouth syndrome