Online Dental Education Library
Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.
Bridge
Bridge vs Implant
Bruxism
Caring for Dental Implant
Caring for Implant Supported Bridge
Caring for Traditional Bridge
Causes of Tooth Pain
Composite Filling (Posterior)
Composite vs Amalgam Filling
Consequence of Bone Loss
Cracked Tooth
Debridement
Dental Erosion
Endodontic Abscess
Filling vs Crown
Gingivitis
Gingival Probing & Pocket Depth
Gingival Recession
Healthy Gums
Impacted 3rd Molars
Implant Supported Bridge
Manual vs Electric Toothbrush
Missing Teeth
Non-Carious Cervical Lesions
Occlusal Appliance for Tooth Wear
Oral Hygiene
Progression of Decay
Plaque and Calculus
Progression of Decay
Proper Brushing Techniques
Proper Flossing Techniques
Root Canal
Root Canal with Post-Core Buildup
Root Canal with Post Core Impression
Recurrent Decay Around Restoration
Scaling and Root Planing
Single Crown
Single Implant
Single Tooth Loss
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Tooth Wear
Trauma-Chipped Tooth
Understanding Tooth Wear
Veneers
Whitening with Bleaching Trays
What Does it Mean to Have Healthy Gums?
Why Do Teeth Crack?
What is Occlusion?
What is TMD?
Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse your mouth of cavity-causing bacteria and other harmful materials. Dry mouth (also called Xerostomia) is a fairly common condition that is caused by diminished saliva production. People with medical conditions, such as an eating disorder or diabetes, are often plagued by dry mouth. Eating foods such as garlic, tobacco use, and some kinds of medications, including treatments such as cancer therapy can diminish the body's production of saliva, leading to dry mouth. Other causes are related to aging (including rheumatoid arthritis), and compromised immune systems.
Some of the less alarming results of dry mouth include bad breath. But dry mouth can lead to more serious problems, including burning tongue syndrome, a painful condition caused by lack of moisture on the tongue.
If dry mouth isn't readily apparent, you may experience other conditions that dry mouth can cause, including an overly-sensitive tongue, chronic thirst or even difficulty in speaking.
If you don't have a medical condition that causes it, dry mouth can be minimized by sipping water regularly, chewing sugarless gum and avoiding smoking. Of course, there is no substitute for regular checkups and good oral hygiene.