Eric G. Jackson, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FICD, FADI
Xerostomia (aka chronic dry mouth) is a serious chronic condition in which a person produces a below average amount of saliva. It is not a temporary loss of saliva such as when you’re about to deliver a speech in front of a large crowd. Symptoms of “stage fright” are a normal result of the body’s response to stress and dissipate when that stress is removed. Patients that suffer with chronic Xerostomia fight a daily battle soreness in the mouth, stickiness to the touch and cracking at the corners of the mouth, a red and parched mouth or pebbled look to the tongue, difficulty eating dry or spicy foods, foods not tasting like they used to, difficulty speaking, tendency to wake up more during the night, and bad breath.
Tips for those suffering from Dry Mouth:
- Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss your teeth every day
- Use prescription toothpaste with fluoride in it (like Clinpro5000) to prevent decay
- Avoid, sticky, sugary foods
- Keep a water bottle close and drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist
- Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible
- Use a room vaporizer to add humidity
- Use a saliva replacement product such as Biotene
If you would like to speak about Xerostomia, or any other dental topic, please feel free to call the office and schedule a complimentary appointment.
Sincerely,
Eric G. Jackson, DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FASD, FICD, FADI
Email: [email protected]
