Dry Mouth: Causes, Risks and Treatments

Dry mouth is bothersome and can cause dental health risks, including tooth loss. Fortunately, our Buffalo dentist can replace your missing teeth with mini dental implants.

Please keep reading to learn more about the causes, risks, and treatments for dry mouth. Give our office a call to schedule your free consultation right away if you would like to meet with Dr. Todd Shatkin to discuss treatment for tooth loss.

What Are the Causes of Dry Mouth?

Some medications can cause issues with saliva production. If you think that is the case for you, we encourage you to ask your doctor if there are medications you can switch to that won’t cause this side effect.

While smoking does not cause dryness, it can certainly aggravate the problem. Smoking or chewing tobacco can make it harder for your mouth to produce enough saliva because of the nicotine content.

Risk of Tooth Loss

Saliva production is essential to having a healthy mouth. Your saliva protects your teeth and gums and repairs damage caused by acidic food and drinks by providing your enamel with minerals.

If you suffer from dry mouth, it can put you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss.

Please keep reading to learn how to find relief from dry mouth to reduce your chance of dental issues.

If you have any questions or you already have missing teeth, please keep reading to learn about the leading solution to missing teeth.

Combat Dry Mouth with These At-Home Care Recommendations

Chewing on gum can help increase your saliva production. Sugar-free gum is the best option if you will be using this method to moisten your mouth. Gum that contains sugar can cause tooth decay, which you don’t want.

Caffeine can make your mouth even drier. We know how hard it is to give up your morning coffee or afternoon tea, but if you can even reduce your caffeine intake, that can help combat dryness.

Alcohol is another thing that can make your mouth dry. If you use an alcohol-based mouthwash, consider switching to an alcohol-free mouthwash. Many brands even carry mouthwash specifically for people with dry mouths.

You can keep your mouth moisturized by staying hydrated and sipping on water throughout the day. You may find that you are frequently seeking out something to drink to get rid of your dry mouth. Carrying a water bottle wherever you go can help.

You may want to purchase over-the-counter salvia substitutes or stimulants such as lozenges, oral rinse, or melts that stick to your gums. These can encourage saliva production.

If you find that you wake up with a dry mouth, consider putting a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to moisturize the air. If you have a stuffy office that dries out your mouth, using a humidifier while you work can help.

Lastly, medications such as decongestants and antihistamines can dry you out. If you have allergies or congestion, use some of the remedies mentioned above to counter the side effects of these medications.

Mini Dental Implants as a Solution for Missing Teeth

The leading solution for missing teeth is mini dental implants.

Mini dental implants are prosthetic teeth that are placed onto a screw roughly the size of a toothpick that gets implanted into the jawbone. The procedure is similar to conventional dental implants, which you may have heard of, but it is less invasive, more affordable, and quicker. You can have a tooth replaced in one visit.

Mini dental implants can be used to hold a dental bridge or a complete denture piece.

If you have had complete tooth loss due to dry mouth, we can help. Mini denture implants, also commonly referred to as snap-in dentures, are an excellent solution if you do not have any natural teeth remaining. They look great and are much more stable than traditional dentures, which can slip around and cause gum irritation.

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Buffalo Dentist

If you have lost teeth due to dry mouth, our Buffalo dentist would be glad to help you repair your smile. Please call our office to schedule your free consultation to discuss mini dental implants with Dr. Todd Shatkin, who has performed over 40,000 dental implants and counting.