Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, significantly increases your risk for developing periodontal disease. We at the Silberg Center for Dental Science are here to help you understand dry mouth and the role it plays in gum disease. We’ll do everything we can to treat dry mouth and ultimately prevent periodontal disease, helping you to maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
What is the link between dry mouth and periodontal disease?
When a patient suffers from chronic dry mouth, they often experience thirst, a dry and raw tongue, bad breath, or a burning sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue. Dry mouth is also problematic because it can lead to gum disease, because your mouth needs saliva to wash away food and bacteria from your teeth. When bacteria isn’t washed away, it can lead to gingivitis, the first phase of gum disease, which is characterized by decay, pain, and inflammation. As the infection progresses, it creeps down below your gum line, making the disease more difficult to treat and more dangerous for your teeth.
What treatment options are available for dry mouth?
Treating dry mouth is an easy and simple process. First, limiting the amount of sugar and caffeine that you consume, and avoiding tobacco products altogether, can help regulate your saliva production. Try to drink more water and breathe through your nose. It can also help to sleep with a humidifier and to pay careful attention to your oral hygiene regimen. We can also talk to you about your medical history and what medications you are on in order to understand what might be causing your dry mouth condition. Adjusting these medication may help reduce dry mouth. There are certain products that you can use to increase saliva production as well.
Treating dry mouth is important because it lowers your risk of gum disease. If you are looking for dry mouth or gum disease treatment in Pittsburgh, come and see us today.