Dry Mouth Treatment in Raleigh, NC

Dry mouth syndrome may lead to gum disease, tooth decay, and other problems like bad breath, cracked lips, and dried throat. That’s why it should be treated right away. VP Dental can help you treat the condition. We offer dry mouth treatment in Raleigh, NC.

What is a Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth, also called xerestomia, happens when the salivary gland does not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth lubricated. Sometimes, dry mouth happens when you are dehydrated, and that’s normal. However, severe dry mouth that happens all the time indicates an underlying condition. Many people suffer from dry mouth, and the risk of contracting it increases as you age.

Symptoms and Causes of Dry Mouth

A good indication of dry mouth is the feeling of stickiness inside your mouth, but you may also feel other symptoms like bad breath, sore throat, and hoarseness. You may also feel thirsty all the time. Severe cases of dry mouth have symptoms like tooth decay and dry skin.

A dry mouth happens when something makes your salivary gland stop producing saliva. Common causes of dry mouth include the following:

• Certain medications – Many prescription and over-the-counter medications slow down saliva production. These include medicines for pain, depression, high blood pressure, Parkinson’s disease, chemotherapy, and many others.

• Underlying health problems – Some medical conditions have a high chance of causing dry mouth, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.

Untreated, a severe case of dry mouth will most likely lead to other oral health problems, such as dental cavities, mouth sores, gum disease, and cracked lips.

Dry Mouth Treatment Options

If you are experiencing any symptoms of dry mouth, VP Dental recommends getting a dry mouth treatment in Raleigh, NC. Its main objective is increasing saliva production. Consequently, this will lower your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

The underlying cause determines the specific treatment for dry mouth. For example, Dr. Preston may recommend a lower dosage to your doctor if your medicine makes you feel dry-mouthed. Another option is to ask for a totally new medicine. (Never stop taking a prescription without first consulting your doctor.) If dry mouth is a sign of a medical condition, treating the underlying problem may help.

Additional alternatives for treatment include:

• Medicine for temporary dry mouth relief like Sorbitol.
• Stimulants for saliva production, such as Pilocarpine and Cevimeline.
• Repairing the salivary glands surgically (uncommon treatment).

Alleviate Discomfort and Protect Your Teeth

If you constantly experience dry mouth, you may have xerostomia. Dry mouth could appear harmless at first, but it can seriously damage your teeth and gums over time. VP Dental can help you with dry mouth treatment in Raleigh, NC. We can determine the cause of your symptoms and provide a customized treatment plan to address them.

Do you wish you had a bright, healthy smile? Visit VP Dental in Raleigh, North Carolina, to make that dream a reality. Call us at (919) 518-0540 today to learn more about how our experienced dental team and high-quality dental services can improve your smile and oral health!