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Dry Mouth in Older Adults: Causes and Solutions

  • By Admin
  • 07 Sep, 2017
Dry mouth or xerostomia is a common condition found in aging adults. Senior patients struggle with this condition due to various reasons, but it’s also something often times overlooked by caregivers.

It’s a parched, icky feeling they feel in their mouth, and can affect their health significantly. If your loved one frequently complains about dry mouth, it’s because they aren’t producing enough saliva. Besides helping them chew their food, saliva also helps keep plaque and tartar at bay. If not treated properly, it can lead to gum disease. According to a study, 17.2% of seniors over the age of 65 have periodontal disease.

As stated earlier, there are various reasons dry mouth occurs. Here are a few to be aware of:

Hormonal Changes

For women above the age of 55, hormonal changes due to menopause are one of the reasons for dry mouth. This can also make the symptoms of the problem worse, especially when hormones in the body start changing at a rapid pace.

Cracked lips, sores around the mouth, and bad breath can be symptoms of xerostomia or menopause.

Sometimes the symptoms are hard to notice because they can be mistaken for old age as well, or for menopause itself.

Prescription Drugs

Certain types of harsh medicines can also impact oral hygiene significantly. These are made using compounds that have a drying effect. This often leads to increasing acidity in the immune system, leading to reduction in the production of saliva.

Saliva is essential for helping us chew food. It also helps keep certain bacteria away from the enamel. A decrease in saliva means that chewing becomes hard and teeth become vulnerable to all sorts of bacteria and attacks.

If medicine is the problem, it’s important to consult your general physician to see what they suggest.

Mouth Wash

Sometimes the things we believe help us are the things that harm us. Using mouthwash excessively can also result in decrease in saliva production. This is because mouthwash are made to be used once or twice a week, and not on a daily basis—unless specified by a dentist, of course.

Mouthwashes are made using harsh chemicals, and while beneficial, it’s important to consult a dentist before using them.

Additionally, the type of mouthwash we use is also important. Only a professional can help choose the right product that not only protects oral hygiene, but limits any oral damage.

If you’re looking for a reliable dentist in Alexandria, VA, we have you covered! We offer effective and reliable dental services. Our dentists are skilled in the art of dentistry—both general and cosmetic!

Visit our website for further information and booking queries.


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