Dry mouth may bother everyone from time to time, especially when you wake up in the morning, but if it becomes a chronic issue, it can actually harm your health long-term. Dr. Martin has over 2000+ hours of post-residency training and can help you resolve chronic dry mouth. Our office will look into the root cause of your dry mouth and help you find long-term solutions.

If you are looking for comfortable treatment in Lafayette, CO, Dr. Martin offers a variety of dry mouth solutions.

Schedule Appointment

What Causes Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, happens when your salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva. While it might sound minor, saliva plays a key role in keeping your mouth healthy—it helps wash away food particles, neutralize acids, and protect your teeth from decay. Without it, your mouth can feel sticky or uncomfortable, and your oral health can be at risk.

There are many reasons you might experience dry mouth. Medications for allergies, blood pressure, or depression are common culprits. Dehydration, caffeine, alcohol, and smoking can also reduce saliva flow. For some, it’s related to aging or underlying health conditions that impact the glands themselves. Even breathing through your mouth during sleep can leave you waking up with that parched feeling.

The Benefits of Treating Your Dry Mouth

There are many reasons why you should treat your dry mouth. The first reason is your comfort. Dry mouth can be uncomfortable, especially if it is chronic. It may make speaking, eating, or swallowing difficult.

Along with your personal comfort, your saliva is necessary for your oral health. Lowered amounts of saliva can actually harm enamel production and raise the potential for gum health issues. While a dry mouth that happens occasionally isn’t a big deal, chronic dry mouth will begin to take a toll on your body’s health.

Prevent Bad Breath and Freshen Your Smile

Not only does dry mouth damage your oral health and cause discomfort, it can also lead to bad breath or a bad feeling in your mouth. We want you to have every confidence in a clean and fresh smile, which is why treating dry mouth is so essential.

Treatment Options for Dry Mouth

There are a variety of treatment options for dry mouth. It depends on the underlying cause of your dry mouth and how often it happens. We may recommend solutions such as:

Periodontal Care: One of the most common causes of dry mouth is gingivitis or periodontal disease. We can manage this with a dental deep clean or antibiotic medication.
Increased Hydration: Dry mouth can be exacerbated or caused by dehydration. We recommend that you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
Airway or Sleep Apnea Care: If you are snoring, sleeping with your mouth open, or have sleep apnea, you are more likely to wake up with dry mouth.
Increased Oral Hygiene: Dry mouth can be a sign of increased bacteria in your mouth. Things like brushing twice a day, flossing, and tongue scraping can reduce how often you get dry mouth.
Medication Management: Some medications can cause dry mouth. We will go over what medications you have been using and discuss their side effects. If necessary, we can work with your primary care doctor to adjust medications or dosages.

You can schedule a consultation, or bring up dry mouth next time you are in for a dental cleaning, and we will discuss your options with you.

A New Smile in Just a Few Visits

We offer a new patient experience like none other, with tooth-replacement options for every case. Our comprehensive consultation will give us the opportunity to treat you holistically. Our office is run by a caring staff and an experienced doctor. Act now, to get a completely new smile from James Martin, DMD. Call us for a 2-hour patient consultation!