Dry mouth or xerostomia, happens when the glands that produce saliva aren’t working
well and its sometimes a symptom of another condition.
Dry mouth can be very uncomfortable, especially when its recurring and Treatment for dry mouth
depends on what is causing the problem to begin with.
In this video, ill go over what causes dry mouth, 2 products that seem to get the job
done for most, and 5 ways to prevent it, so stay tuned till the end.
Hi guys, yaseen arsalan, media pharmacist here on youtube, this week's video is on dry
mouth or xerostomia.
If you haven’t already, Smash the like button below NOW, as there is a ton of useful information
in here, that I know you can benefit from.
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videos.
And without further ado, lets talk about that dry mouth.
Almost everyone’s mouth is dry sometimes.
So it can be normal to have it occasionally, But if you feel like you always have lets
say cotton in your mouth constantly, it may be time for some treatment.
Not treating dry mouth will make it difficult to speak, chew, and swallow, and can even
alter the taste of your food.
It can also cause a sore throat and even bad breath.
But what are the causes?
The main causes are aging, smoking, snoring or being a mouth breather, hormone changes,
diabetes, chemotherapy, and certain medications known to cause dry mouth.
According to the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health in America, dry mouth is a
side effect of more than 400 prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants,
antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medicines.
But with that said, please do not stop any medications that youre doctor has you on,
even if they cause dry mouth as this can be harmful to you.
Always consult with your doctor first before making any changes to your medications.
Now that we know some of the causes, lets get straight to it with two products that
I recommend to patients when they come in at the pharmacy.
Number 1.)
The Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse.
It freshens the breath, its alcohol and sugar free, and soothes and moisturizes for up to
4 hours and can be used up to 5 times a day.
The number 1 thing i like about it is that it Provides a balanced pH in your mouth.
Speaking of pH.
The first concern I always have with dry mouth products is that if they are too acidic, yes
they can provide that relief, but you end up going back to square one as this can increase
the risk of decay and encourage bacteria in the mouth to thrive.
Biotene is not too acidic and it comes in a gel and spray formulation too, for more
convenience.
Number 2.)
Xylimelts.
XyliMelts contain xylitol and an oral moisturizer to coat, soothe, and moisturize the mouth.
Whats awesome about it is that: it comes in as a oral-adhering disc that sticks to your
teeth or gums to relieve persistent dry mouth.
Use it during the day or while sleeping to put a hold on all that bacteria that tends
to grow in the mouth.
It also reduces plaque, and reduces the risk of decay at the same time.
Which are all bonuses.
Personally Im a big fan of xylimelts as its helped me over come the dry mouth that I get
with some allergy medicines.
Links for both products are in the description box below so dont forget to check those out.
Pilocarpine or (Salagen) and cevimeline or (Evoxac) are prescription medications that
stimulate saliva production and are both used to treat dry mouth by stimulating the flow
of saliva to your mouth.
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms of dry mouth dont go awyt to see if these are right
for you.
Now that we got the treatment out the way, Ill share with you 5 things you can start
doing now to prevent dry mouth from coming on.
Number 1.)
Avoid dehydrating products.
The first of them is Caffeinated beverages as these can be dehydrating.
Studies have found that drinking caffeinated coffee or tea causes dry mouth.
Also limit the amount of alcohol use.
Alcohol may dehydrate in certain people, which can contribute to dry mouth.
Ths is why its best to avoid alcohol mouth washes.
Next is smoking, Cutting down or quitting may reduce dry mouth symptoms.
Number 2.)
Avoid breathing through your mouth.
Your only other option is to Breathe through your nose, and I know for some this can be
very difficult, including myself.
You may need to seek treatment for snoring if it causes you to breathe through your mouth
during the night too.
Click the video on the upper right hand corner for tips to beat snoring as it ties back to
preventing dry mouth.
Number 3.)
Sip water or sugarless drinks throughout the day, or even suck on ice chips as this can
help moisten the entire mouth.
Number 4.)
Unless recommended by your doctor that you take them regularly, Avoid using over-the-counter
antihistamines and decongestants because they can make your symptoms worse.
If you think your medication is causing your dry mouth, talk to your doctor.
Never suddenly stop taking a medication without your doctor’s approval first.
And lastly Number 5.)
Get a humidifier.
Creating humidity may help the dry mouth simply by adding more moisture to your environment.
And there you have it, 5 ways to prevent dry mouth that I hope you take on board.
In addition to all these tips, remember to See your dentist at least twice a year to
have your teeth examined and plaque removed to help prevent the tooth decay that dry mouth
can also cause.
So really , saliva plays a huge role for our health.
Although its mostly water, it also contains important enzymes and lubricants that make
swallowing and digestion more comfortable.
Even more is that it helps control bacteria which cling to our teeth and feed on sugars
that we eat..
If we dont have enough saliva, cavities can occur at a faster rate.
So please dont neglect getting help for dry mouth early on.
I hope this video was useful to you guys and that I do hope you share this video with someone
you know who can benefit from it.
Like the video if you did enjoy it, and subscribe to stay on board with all my other weekly
health and wellness videos.
Thanks for sticking tuned till the end, and as always, see you on the next one.