subject: How to properly treat dry mouth [print this page] How to properly treat dry mouth How to properly treat dry mouth
Xerostomia is the name of the dry mouth symptom. The dentists can use a simple algorithm by which to identify more easily if a patient can develop such disease. They measure the rate of salivary flow as a means of objective assessment. Clinicians can implement a simple questionnaire to help in establishing whether the patient suffers from dry mouth or not. The positive response to the following four questions is associated with the presence of salivary hypo-function:
1. Does it seem to you that the amount of saliva produced in your mouth is very little?
2. Do you feel dryness in your mouth while eating?
3. Do you drink liquids when you eat in order to make it easier to swallow?
4. Do you have difficulties in swallowing during meals?
For diagnostics can be used visual-analog scales and/or common ones, based on individual categories. Objective measurements of both quantitative and qualitative changes in saliva are best manifested in the saliva collected from the individual glands or all the glands, thus the changes in the overall saliva are taken into account. If you have some symptoms you should consult a doctor and you need a discussion of the prescriptions that may be related to the presence of Xerostomia. This discussion concerns the possible reduction of the prescribed dose of these medicines, or their replacement with others which have no or minimal side effects.
After the diagnosis and identification of possible underlying causes, the dentist can start treating these patients, depending on the severity of the condition. Even short, a symptomatic or palliative treatment has been proved to be useful, especially if there is good understanding between doctor and patient.
The symptomatic treatment can be done by: frequently drinking water; using of water and gels for the mouth; using of moisturizer at night; reducing the intake of caffeine and alcohol; using sugar-free gums and drops that stimulate the salivary secretion. The frequent drinking of water, use of alcohol free water, gels, solutions for mouth, sugar-free gums and mint drops have proven their benefit in reducing the feeling of dry mouth. The dry mouth is usually felt during night, that's why the use of moisturizer is helpful. Avoiding dehydration through minimum intake of caffeine and alcohol also helps.Of great importance for the preventing of the occurrence of the dry mouth syndrome is the regular dental examination. You should visit your dentist at least twice a year. The dentist will help you prevent many other diseases of the mouth and teeth. Your personal oral hygiene is also of great importance for the health of your teeth. Do not forget to brush your teeth regularly with the proper toothbrush and toothpaste. The use of dental floss once daily is obligatory.To see what the 7 steps for prevention of dry mouth are, click here. If you wonder what the most common causes for dry mouth are, read this article. http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/how-to-properly-treat-dry-mouth-4382962.html
