This is what a patient told me last week. “It’s difficult to swallow, I bite myself constantly and I have a sore throat” she added. These are the symptoms of Dry Mouth. Saliva protects and lubricates the tongue and all tissues inside the mouth, helps with digestion process and prevents tooth decay. This is a common problem in older adults since salivary flow decreases with age and most of them are taking medicines. Dry mouth is produced by antihistamines, decongestant, pain killers, high blood pressure medication, muscle relaxants, drugs for urinary incontinence, Parkinson’s disease medication, antidepressants and many others. If you take any of these medicines and have the symptoms described above, then call your dentist and schedule an appointment. He can recommend various methods to restore moisture and talk to your physician to adjust your medications. Sugar free candies, or gums to stimulate saliva flow and artificial saliva and oral rinses to moist the mouth. If Dry mouth is left untreated, it could damage your teeth and your mouth will be more susceptible to infections.
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