Your Medication and Dental Health : How to Balance Them Both?

It is nothing new for the top dental hospital in Delhi to see an outpour of patients who complain about dryness of their mouths and a number of dental issues getting cropped up due to this dryness. The clinical term for this dryness is Xerostomia; in some cases it can be so nagging that it can cause discomfort every now and again and can be very painful as well. At times, even the throat is so parched that a person can’t even swallow.

While there are other causes for dry mouth, many prescription and non-prescription medications list dry mouth as a side effect of their product causing impairment in the quality of your saliva. A condition wherein you suffer from dry mouth on a consistent basis is known as Xerostomia. This can be primarily caused due to certain medication but at the same time, it can also be a manifestation of certain diseases such as Aids, anemia, stroke, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, diabetes and a condition called Sjogren’s syndrome. By and large the drug-induced Xerostomia is a growing problem which only adds to the aggravation in finding both relief and an alternative medication.

The Importance of Saliva

The production of saliva is an important process in the mouth, we normally relates saliva with moistening of mouth only. But the fact remains that saliva not only moistens the mouth, but it helps control the levels of bacteria and fungi in our mouths, aids in chewing, tasting and digestion. It also helps in cleaning, protection and re-mineralizing of teeth. Naturally, when a patient complains about a decrease in the quality and quantity of their saliva, it becomes a cause of concern.

Your saliva output can also be damaged by medical treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy, smoking/tobacco products, menopause and dehydration from illnesses, bulimia, excessive sweating, diarrhea, blood loss and burns. Since 6% of our body is constituted of water, even small amount of water loss can cause hydration on an immediate basis, let alone long term. If you suspect that you are experiencing dry mouth, speak to the top dentist in Delhi as they help you in finding the right solution for you.

Tips for Relief:

• One has to ensure that they ensure to restore the dental form and functioning back to normal condition to avoid dryness in mouth.

• Ensure that you are brushing at least 3 times/day and flossing before bed.

• Limiting your meals to 3-4/day and spacing them out 4-5 hours apart

• Reduce the amount of sugar you intake

• Get some consultation from the best dental hospital for vitamins supplements that can counter the dryness of mouth.

• Dental products such as sprays, rinses and special toothpastes are an ideal alternative to get rid of dry mouth.

• Chew sugar-less gum.

• Drink more water

• Use of a humidifier bedroom at night can be a relief

• Use a fluoride rinse at bedtime

• If you rinse your mouth regularly, choose a mouth rinse which is alcohol/peroxide-free

• Avoid weather and activity that causes excessive sweating

• Use a nasal spray if you are experiencing sinusitis

• Avoid tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages and highly acidic juices

• Avoid dry food such as munchies.

• Avoid very salty foods

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