Have dry mouth? At OneSource Dental, we can help!

Dry mouth symptoms (also known as Xerostomia) can range from mild to significant and can compromise a patient’s daily health, diet and quality of life. Dry mouth can be caused from certain medications, autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy, and head and neck radiation. Individuals with Sjogren disease and those who have received radiation therapy for head and neck cancer are particularly susceptible to xerostomia.

There is a positive correlation between age and dry-mouth. Aging also plays a role in a patient’s susceptibility to xerostomia; xerostomia affects almost half of patients older than 80 years old. Typically, older patients also are more likely to be taking more prescription medications. Xerostomia is more likely to occur in individuals taking more than four medications.

People with low salivary flow can have difficulty chewing, swallowing and talking. Dry mouth can also cause increased chance of tooth decay, demineralization, sensitivity and oral infections.

Here are our tips to alleviate dry mouth symptoms: 1. Increase water intake, 2. Chew sugar-free gum, and use of Xylitol containing theramints 3. Use of saliva substitutes (such as biotene) 3. Use Stellalife homeopathic rinse 2x/daily 4. Laser biomodulation of the parotid and submandibular glands

Ask us about our in-office, pain-free, Fotona laser biomodulation to stimulate salivary glands at your next visit!

Resources: ada.org