Blog Posts
Dry mouth – thirsting for relief from xerostomia?
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, simply means absent or reduced saliva. If your mouth often feels sticky, or a cool glass of water doesn’t take away your thirst, you may be suffering from this common medical condition, which affects an estimated 20% of people; women and the elderly are more at risk.
Dry mouth can be caused by certain diseases, including diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease. However, the most likely culprit is medication – over 400 prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines state dry mouth as a possible side-effect. This includes medication for allergies, asthma, colds, depression, epilepsy, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and urinary incontinence.
If you are thirsting for relief, here are 5 simple strategies to help deal with your dry mouth dilemmas:
- Consult your dentist or doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
- Follow a meticulous daily oral care routine with regular dental check-ups. With less saliva to keep the mouth clean, dry mouth sufferers are at a much higher risk of tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.
- Use Sunstar GUM Hydral Moisturising Gel and Spray (available at Dis-Chem and leading pharmacies) to hydrate, soothe and protect.
- Drink plenty of regular water (not carbonated), sipping frequently.
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow and provide temporary relief.
During April we are inviting 10 of our Ivohealth fans to be part of a #GUMHydral product review panel. Head over to our Facebook page to apply, or email info@ivohealth.co.za with ‘GUM Hydral – product review panel’ in the subject line.
For more detailed information on dry mouth click here or speak to your dentist, doctor or pharmacist.
