Dry Mouth?

Mental health and your dental health

Are you one of the many Americans taking an antidepressant? Experts believe that certain antidepressants — such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft—may increase the risk of tooth decay. Many of these medications are known to cause dry mouth, which creates a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and sets the stage for bad breath.

 

Dr. Ken Versman and Dr. Doug Heller of Periodontal Associates in Denver - Aurora, CO suggest frequently sipping water to prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth. While you may think the answer to fresher breath is using a mouthwash, you may actually want to avoid certain over-the-counter mouthwashes. Many of the mouthwashes on the market today contain a high alcohol content and may further contribute to mouth dryness or Xerostomia.

Xerostomia is the academic term for what you and I call dry mouth. It is, quite simply, the feeling you have when there is little to no saliva in your mouth. You can probably recall times in your life when you were particularly anxious, dehydrated or otherwise exhausted and had that awful dry feeling, as if your mouth was full of sand.

Dry mouth can in some cases be a result of certain medications, health conditions or from aging. Several prescription drugs are available to treat or prevent Xerostomia if it is a persistent problem. Continuously having dry mouth may actually threaten your overall dental hygiene. Saliva is important to the health of your teeth. The absence of saliva can cause a dramatic increase in cavities. Quick and easy remedies may include sipping water or sugarless fluids. Chewing on gum can also aid in increasing the saliva in your mouth and help to relieve that dry mouth feeling.

If you have frequent dry mouth or Xerostomia, contact us today so that we can help you find the best solution to your dry mouth. (303)755-4500

Our dental office is located in Aurora, CO near I-225 and Parker Rd. We're a short drive from Denver, Cherry Hills, Greenwood Village, Denver Tech Center (DTC), Centennial, Lone Tree, Englewood, Parker, Inverness, Castle Pines, Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch.