Dry Mouth and What You Can Do About It For Your Oral Health

Dry Mouth Causes and Treatment 

When you awake do you experience dry mouth? It is a common condition but did you know it could also negatively affect your dental health? There are many causes for dry mouth but also many treatment options available. Read on to learn more.  

What are the symptoms of dry mouth? 

Common symptoms include a dry, sticky feeling in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or speaking, bad breath, or dry and sometimes sore mouth. It is important to discuss these symptoms with your dental office at your next visit. Clove Dental has many offices located in Ventura and Los Angeles County to take care of your oral health. With our caring and knowledgeable staff at multiple locations in Oxnard (including our newest Riverpark location) we can help your with your dental needs. 

What causes dry mouth? 

Some common causes of dry mouth are aging, side effects from certain medications, dehydration, or a result of radiation cancer treatment. Less commonly, dry mouth may be a result of a condition that affects the salivary glands. 

 Which medications can cause dry mouth?

Common classes of medications that cause dry mouth include antihistamines, painkillers, SNRI’s, SSRI’s  and anticholinergic medications. Many antidepressants, opioids, and benzodiazepines, among other medications, can also cause dry mouth as a common side effect.

• Darifenacin
• Fesoterodine (Toviaz)
• Solifenacin (Vesicare)
• Tolterodine (Detrol)
• Trospium
•  Oxybutynin 
• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

• Chlorpheniramine
• Hydroxyzine hydrochloride
• Hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril)
  

• Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• Citalopram (Celexa)
• Escitalopram (Lexapro)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Amitriptyline, 
• Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
• Clomipramine (Anafranil) 
• Adderall (amphetamine salts) 
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)
• Concerta (methylphenidate ER)
• Morphine (MS Contin)
• Oxycodone / acetaminophen (Percocet)\
• Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Temazepam (Restoril)
• Chlorpromazine
• Fluphenazine
• Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• Risperidone (Risperdal)
• Quetiapine (Seroquel)
• Clozapine (Clozaril)
• Lithium (Lithobid)
• Benztropine
• Furosemide (Lasix) and propranolol (Inderal LA)
• Tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• Promethazine
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant)

This is not a complete or exhaustive list of all of the medications that may cause dry mouth. If you are experiencing dry mouth please talk with your prescribing physician about this side effect and be sure to mention it at your next dental checkup. 

Is dry mouth a problem? 

It can certainly be for your oral and overall health! Saliva plays an important role in your body, especially, for your oral health. It helps to prevent tooth decay by rinsing away food particles. It also aids your digestive system in your ability to chew and swallow and absorb nutrients.Consequences of dry mouth on oral health include increased plaque, tooth decay, and gum disease. Other common complications are cracked lips, mouth sores, or thrush which is a yeast infection of the mouth. Dry mouth can contribute to tooth decay and may increase your risk of cavities and other oral health problems. Our staff at Clove Dental are here to help with this and other oral health needs. 

Treatment options for dry mouth

There are several different treatment options to address dry mouth and its effect on oral health. 

If you are taking medication that has dry mouth as a side effect make sure to mention it to your prescribing doctor and your dentist. If your doctor believes a medication is the cause, they may choose to adjust the medication. They may also prescribe an oral rinse to help combat its effects. Your dentist may provide treatment  such as fluoride trays to help protect your teeth from further decay or cavities. Here at Clove Dental we have several different treatment options and oral health suggestions to address dry mouth and other common oral health problems. 

Aside from doctor and dentist intervention, it is important to continue brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing every day, using fluoride toothpaste, and having routine cleanings with your dentist to assess for signs of decay. 

If you are experiencing dry mouth or have other questions regarding your oral health, schedule an appointment with your dentist and make sure to mention it in your upcoming visit. Don’t wait, schedule your appointment online at clovedds.com and click on the “Schedule Your Visit” tab. We have multiple convenient locations in Oxnard including our newest location in Riverpark.