Dry mouth syndrome affects about 10 per cent of the general population with 25 per cent of those being older people.
Dry mouth syndrome is when there is not enough saliva (spit) in th e mouth. Having a dry mouth may be a symptom of an underlying problem such as certain prescription medications, symptoms may include:
- A dry rough tongue.
- Bad breath
- Dry and cracked lips
- Tooth decay
- A burning or prickly sensation in the mouth.
Dry mouth syndrome in some people tends to cause caries (tooth decay) different to someone who maintains poor oral hygiene habits combined with a high sugary diet.
Tooth decay will tend to develop either on the biting surfaces or in between the teeth with people who tend to maintain poor oral hygiene habits and a high sugary intake. Whereas people who experience dry mouth syndrome the decay will often start to appear along the gum line (gingival margin) and, in some severe cases, the gums will draw back to expose the dentine, the underlying tooth layer.
Unfortunately dentine has less resistance, unlike enamel, to acids and caries and will be inclined to accelerate quite quickly becoming what is known as decay of the exposed dentine “root caries”.
At Australia Dental Burpengary, your local dentist, are always here to help so If you find that you may be suffering from any of these symptoms please do not hesitate to contact us and now with online booking available making it easier to make an appointment.
