The Causes of Dry Mouth

In our Gurnee dental office, Dr. Rule and our team of talented hygienists make the dental health of Grayslake area patients our number one concern. Keeping your teeth and gums in tiptop shape promises a lifetime of ideal health. However, there are times when even the healthiest of mouths are not the most comfortable of mouths. In a situation where a patient is experiencing dry mouth, we understand how frustrating this can be.

Saliva is needed to keep the mouth clean and flush away bacteria. If not enough saliva is produced, the mouth becomes dry and sometimes so uncomfortable it may be painful. There are many reasons for dry mouth to occur:

Medications– Even medications for something other than the mouth may have the side effects of dry mouth: antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, to name a few. These medications may be prescrption or non-prescription.

Dehydration– Illness or lack of fluid, which may cause dehydration, may cause dry mouth.

Nerve damage– Damage to the nerves of the neck, head, or shoulder may cause dry mouth.

Tobacco use– Whether smoking or smokeless, tobacco use may affect the production of saliva.

Disease or Infection– Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, and more, can have symptoms of dry mouth.

If you are experiencing dry mouth, it’s important you speak with your dentist about it. Without saliva production, the mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria and your chances for oral disease rise significantly. Different breath odors can mean different things, and there may be an underlying cause for your dry mouth that you may not realize. Diagnosis and treatment are necessary to keep your mouth and body in check.

If you are currently in need of superior dental care in Gurnee or Grayslake, we encourage you to schedule and appointment with Dr. Rule today!