 18. DRY MOUTH
A dry mouth can be occurring for a variety of reasons; loss of saliva gland function, a
change in saliva consistency, medications for hypertension, depression, congestion and
systemic diseases such as lupus, diabetes, and Siogren’s syndrome.
While it is often difficult to get, relief here is a list of things you can try:
- Alert your physician; ask him/her if there are any other medications that cause a less dry
mouth.
- Keep a water filled plant mister at you bed side. A mist rather than a sip of water does
a better jobs moisturizing the mouth. Put a little lemon juice into the water: it helps to
stimulate the saliva glands
- Consider sugarless gums or candy to help try and moisturize your mouth.
"Xylifresh" is an excellent choice and is available in health food stores.
- Use a moisturizing gel like "Oralbalance."
- Use a saliva substitute such as "Glandosane",
- Consider a prescription of "Salagen" (generic is Pilocarpine Hydrochloride, 5
mg, three times a day). Very effective although some minor side effects so consult your
physician or dentist.
- Consider home application of topical fluoride via custom-made fluoride trays.
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©1998, Jeffrey Kohlhardt DDS, 1204 Cottonwood Street, Suite 4
Woodland, California 95695, (530) 662-7128 dr-k@dentalresource.com
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