Do you experience dry mouth? You may feel like there is less amount of saliva in your mouth. For your information, dry mouth or xerostomia is a common symptom among those who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This dry mouth can also cause other health problems, so you need to treat it as soon as possible.
What Are The Symptoms Of Dry Mouth?
A dry mouth happens when enough saliva is not there in your mouth. Generally, people with dry mouths experience the following symptoms.
- A constant feeling of dryness inside the mouth
- Frequent pain in the mouth
- A rough, dry tongue
- Difficulty experienced in talking, eating, chewing, or swallowing
- Infections or sores inside the mouth
Home Remedies For Xerostomia
While suffering from dry mouth, there are a few home remedies that may come in handy for you. Some of them are
- Stop consuming foods or drinks that contain high amounts of sugar, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners
- Drink lots of water
- Flossing post eating every meal
- Chewing gum
- Have fruits and vegetables rich in fiber content
- Use a lip balm
- Use a mouthwash( free of alcohol)
- While sleeping at night, use a humidifier
- At least twice a day, brush your teeth using fluoride toothpaste
- Use toothpicks and scrape off the excess amount of plaque from your teeth
- To freshen your breath, suck on mints that have xylitol in it
What Happens When You Don’t Treat Dry Mouth?
Leaving dry mouth untreated can become the reason for oral health issues. Saliva is the element that breaks down carbohydrates.
It contains cells that aid in fighting pathogens that cause infection. When there is less amount of saliva in your mouth, it can lead to a build-up of glucose and germs. Finally, it leads to the accumulation of plaque that causes cavities.
When you leave dry mouth untreated, you may develop the following complications in the long term.
1. Gingivitis – A kind of gum disease that leads to inflamed gums. It happens due to the presence of bacteria.
2. Periodontitis – It is a serious gum infection that can cause damage to your gums. If left untreated it can destroy your jawbone.
3. Thrush or candidiasis – Due to the excess growth of fungus in your mouth, this disease occurs.
4. Bad breath that remains even after brushing your teeth and cleaning thoroughly.
There are some extreme cases where even your salivary glands may be infected. A dry mouth can also cause problems associated with sleeping and it affects even your sense of taste.
When Should I Consult A Doctor About Dry Mouth?
If you are having a dry mouth, it might be an earlier indication of diabetes. If you experience dry mouth speak to your doctor during the next appointment.
However, if you have diabetes and are suffering from any of the below symptoms, please get in touch with your doctor at the earliest.
- Bleeding in your teeth or mouth
- Pain in your mouth
- Loose teeth
- Mouth sores
- Trouble while talking, chewing, or swallowing
