You wake up and your tongue feels like sandpaper. Everything is so dry that it hurts. You drink some water, and your start feeling more like yourself … at least for a little while.

Later in the day, you notice that your lips feel cracked and you’re a little hoarse. You don’t like it, but you also don’t know what’s causing it or how to treating. Fortunately, our team at Sequoia Dental Office is ready to help.

If you are struggling with xerostomia, which is the technical term for dry mouth, then you should call 559-608-3533 to schedule an appointment at our office in Visalia, CA. As a part of our general dentistry, we want to identify the cause of your condition and find a long-term solution to give you relief.

Why Your Mouth Is Dry

We’re going to go out on a limb and assume that you don’t have a lot of conversations about saliva. Even so, it plays an important role in your oral health.

Saliva is created by our salivary glands to assist in digesting food. It also helps to remove harmful bacteria and food particles from our mouths. By making saliva, we reduce our risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Without it, food particles can get stuck and harmful bacteria can flourish. That leaves you more susceptible to cavities and periodontal infections.

Multiple causes can contribute to dry mouth. You may be affected by one or more of these issues:

• Diseases & Infections – Cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis are among the many health issues that can affect the moisture in your mouth.

• Medications – Many prescription drugs have side effects that reduce saliva production. This includes medicines used to treat everything allergies and anxiety to high blood pressure and epilepsy, to give just a few examples.

• Medical Treatments – Like medications, some treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can cause damage to your salivary glands.

• Dehydration – Whether you are sick, hard at work, or exercising, your body loses the ability to make saliva when you are not hydrated.

• Lifestyle – Things like breathing through your mouth (instead of your nose) and using tobacco products also can affect the conditions inside your mouth.

Treating Your Condition

In some cases, treating dry mouth can be simple. You may need to be more conscientious about drinking water throughout the day. You can give up smoking or chewing tobacco. Chewing sugar-free gum (preferably with xylitol) or sucking on a piece of sugar-free candy can encourage saliva production.

In more serious cases, we have a state-of-the-art solution at our practice. Through a process called photobiomodulation, we use a laser to painlessly stimulate your salivary glands to make saliva. In the early stages, you come in three times per week for three weeks. Then, you will return once or twice per year as needed.

Don’t Suffer Any Longer

Stop dealing with sore throats, frequent sores, painful swallowing, and bad breath. Take action today to keep your mouth comfortable and healthy. Call 559-608-3533 or contact us online to schedule a visit Sequoia Dental Office at Visalia, CA.