What Your Dry Mouth Might Be Telling You

If your mouth is constantly dry it is actually something you have to take care of, because it has multiple implications for your oral health. Here are some facts about it. Dry mouth, for which the technical term is xerostomia, is relatively common in the older population, present in 30% of people over 65. It is commonly found alongside other illnesses, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease (dementia) and Parkinson’s disease. These diseases are common in the older population. Dry mouth is also commonly associated with taking medication, especially if you take more than four medications a day. Dry mouth can lead to irritated mucus lining of your mouth, cavities, cracked lips, and even fissures on your tongue. To battle this we recommend drinking or sipping water throughout the day, limiting alcohol and high sugar and caffeine drinks. If you have a dry mouth it pays to take extra care of your teeth, such as investing in an oscillating or electric toothbrush, daily mouthwash rinses, flossing, fluoride toothpaste and fluoride varnish (fluoride treatments). For personalized advice and care, be sure to see your dentist! Best wishes. -ProDentalFx, LLC (Source: American Dental Association, Aging and Dental Health, https://www.ada.org/.../science-and.../oral-health-topics/).