Dry mouth increases the chances of mouth infections, cavities, halitosis, bacterial plaque and periodontal disease. You’ve probably heard the saying more than once that “you don’t realize what you have until you lose it.”<\/p>\n
And this is exactly what happens with our saliva.<\/p>\n
Because yes, thanks to this seemingly useless liquid, we can speak, taste food, swallow, digest food and perform other important functions.<\/p>\n
Xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome is a disorder that affects between 20 and 30% of the European population and is characterized by the subjective sensation of dryness in the mouth.<\/p>\n
A healthy adult normally produces between 1.5 and 2 liters of saliva per day.<\/p>\n
In contrast, a person with xerostomia has a decrease in salivary flow of less than half, both at rest and with stimulation.<\/p>\n
It is normal for us to notice dry mouth at certain times as a result of stress, nervousness, etc.<\/p>\n
But if it persists daily, it can become a problem for our oral health, since xerostomia increases the chances of mouth infections, tooth decay, bad breath (halitosis), bacterial plaque and periodontal disease.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of xerostomia
\n ##BULLET##Appearance of cracks in the corners of the lips.
\n ##BULLET##Dry mouth.
\n ##BULLET##Difficulty chewing, swallowing and speaking.
\n ##BULLET##Tongue discomfort.
\n ##BULLET##Frothy and viscous saliva.
\n ##BULLET##Burning sensation or frequent need to drink water while eating.
\n ##BULLET##Patients with dentures experience difficulties when putting them on.<\/p>\n
Causes of dry mouth syndrome
\n ##BULLET##According to the Spanish Society of Periodontics and Osseointegration (SEPA), more than 500 medications (antihistamines, antihypertensives, decongestants, diuretics, antidepressants…).
\n ##BULLET##Anxiety and stress.
\n ##BULLET##Dietary alterations.
\n ##BULLET##Diabetes.
\n ##BULLET##Drugs (alcohol and tobacco, among others).
\n ##BULLET##Autoimmune diseases (such as Sj\u00f6gren’s Syndrome or lupus).
\n ##BULLET##Aging.<\/p>\n
Tips for combating xerostomia Visiting the dentist frequently is crucial to prevent and treat possible incipient lesions secondary to xerostomia.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, treatment for xerostomia includes saliva substitutes that temporarily moisten the mucosa or saliva stimulants (called sialogogues).<\/p>\n
Although at Cl\u00ednica Cervera we offer you a completely personalized treatment and advice, the general recommendations for patients with xerostomia are:
\n ##BULLET##Drink 2-3 liters of water frequently a day.
\n ##BULLET##Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day, with toothpaste and mouthwash.
\n ##BULLET##Keep systemic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, under control, if you suffer from them.
\n ##BULLET##Eliminate or moderate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
\n ##BULLET##In specific situations, chew gum or lick a candy, both sugar-free.
\n ##BULLET##Avoid high doses of caffeine (coffee, cola drinks, etc.).
\n ##BULLET##Follow a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, controlling the consumption of citrus fruits.<\/p>\n
News source: Photography: Katie Tegtmeyer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"template":"","categoria":[71],"class_list":["post-2736","actualitat","type-actualitat","status-publish","hentry","categoria-pathologies"],"meta_box":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat\/2736","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/actualitat"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/actualitat"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2736"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categoria","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clinicacervera.es\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categoria?post=2736"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}