Dry Mouth and Bad Breath

We have all experienced dry mouth at one time or another in our life. It can be caused by the malfunctioning of the salivary glands or as side effect of some medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics, tranquilizers and even blood pressure medicines. Occasional dry mouth is normal but if you have it most of the time, you need to consult your doctor. Bad breath can accompany dry mouth; in fact dry mouth can cause halitosis, a condition wherein a person has offensive, foul or unpleasant breath. Dry mouth can cause more bacteria to become concentrated in the saliva, making them evaporate more easily into the surrounding air. The offensive odor is stronger and easily detectable even at farther distances. The pH balance inside the mouth is changed, providing a more conducive environment for the anaerobic bacteria to grow. Dry mouth also means the reduction of the cleansing and flushing effect of saliva, which in turn leads to more bacterial growth and more accumulation of food debris in the mouth.
Dry mouth is commonly experienced by the elderly, by those who have insufficient water or fluid intake, or those using mouth wash which are alcohol based. It can also be experienced by those taking anti-allergy medications, blood pressure medications, anti-depressives and diuretics. Those who drink excessive amounts of coffee can also experience dry mouth.
The simplest remedy for dry mouth is to drink the recommended amount of water each day. Consuming less than eight glasses of water daily can contribute to dry mouth. Some experts also recommend chewing sugarless gum to help increase the production of saliva. Sipping water regularly, avoiding breathing through the mouth, and using a room humidifier can help alleviate the discomfort and resulting bad breath. It is also important that you pay close attention to the condition of your teeth. You need to brush them using extra-soft tooth brush if possible after every meal and before bedtime.

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