Dry Mouth Tips

We know that diabetes can harm your eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart and other important systems in your body. But did you know it can also cause dental and gum problems in your mouth?

The link between diabetes and oral problems is real, though lesser known. Diabetics are at a higher risk for periodontal or gum disease which is an infection of the gum and bone that hold your teeth in place.

Untreated periodontal disease can lead to pain on chewing and even tooth loss, if it’s left untreated. Gum disease can also more severe and take longer to heal if you are a diabetic.

Research also shows that alternatively, periodontal disease may also make it hard for you to control your blood glucose.

If your diabetes is not under control, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth like-

1. Dry mouth, a condition that happens when you do not have enough saliva—the fluid that keeps your mouth wet. It is a common symptom of undetected diabetes and can also cause mouth soreness, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.
2. Another problem diabetes can cause is a fungal infection called thrush or candidiasis because diabetes usually causes the glucose levels in your saliva to increase. And this encourages the fungus causing thrush to grow in your mouth, leading to painful white patches.
3. When diabetes is not controlled, high glucose levels in your saliva also help harmful bacteria grow in your mouth. These bacteria combine with food particles to form a soft, sticky film called plaque which causes tooth decay. Plaque also comes from eating sugary and starchy foods.
4. And some types of plaque cause tooth decay or cavities and other types of plaque cause gum disease and bad breath.
5. Diabetics have a higher incidence of Gingivitis which causes unhealthy, red, inflamed gums. You need regular flossing as well as cleaning at the dentists to prevent it.

What can you do?

1. You must keep your blood glucose under control to prevent mouth problems. Diabetics with poor blood glucose control get gum disease more often and more severely than diabetics whose blood sugar is under control.
2. If you have diabetes, you should brush and floss every day and follow this up with regular dental check-ups.
3. Call your dentist when you notice a problem in your mouth. Keep observing and checking your mouth regularly for any problems. Don’t ignore minor stuff like gum bleeding during brushing and flossing. And also notice dryness, soreness, white patches, or a bad taste in the mouth. All of these are big enough reasons to visit your dentist.
4. Tell your dentist if your dentures suddenly don’t fit right or if your gums are sore.

Also, take care to quit smoking. Smoking makes gum disease worse and causes dry mouth which aggravates oral problems.

Needless to add, good blood glucose control is your best defence against the oral complications of diabetes like gum disease.

Dry mouth is a symptom that leads to a lack of saliva. Individuals with dry mouth do not have enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.

Remedies - there are many ways to keep the mouth lubricated and prevent the symptoms of dry mouth:

• suck on sugar-free candy or chew sugar-free gum, specifically ones with xylitol. Try to avoid acidic ones like lemon that can soften teeth.
• drink plenty of water to help keep your mouth moist.
• brush with a fluoride toothpaste, use a fluoride rinse, and visit your dentist regularly.
• breathe through your nose, not your mouth, as much as possible.
• use a room vaporizer to add moisture to the bedroom air.
• use an over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute

Taking a large number of medications often leads to a dry mouth. Increase your fluid intake or ask your dentist about an artificial saliva product or chew sugarless gum after a meal to keep your mouth moist.

Dry eyes are a common phenomenon that develops when the tears do not provide sufficient moisture to your eyes. This may also be the result of inadequate production of tears by the tear ducts. This condition cannot be cured permanently; however, treatments usually help.

Signs and symptoms of dry eyes:
1. A scratchy, burning and a stinging sensation in the eyes
2. Mucous surrounding the eyes
3. Sensitivity to light
4. Redness of the eyes
5. A feeling that something is stuck in the eyes
6. Problems in wearing contact lenses
7. Vision problems, especially while driving at night
8. Watery eyes caused due to the irritation that stems from dry eyes
9. Blurred vision

What are the causes?
1. Tears are a mix of fatty oils, water and mucus. This combination safeguards your eyes from any sort of infection in addition to keeping your ocular surface (the cornea surface) clear and smooth. Your eyes dry up if the tear ducts do not produce enough tears; medically, this condition is termed ‘keratoconjunctivitis sicca’. It can occur due to:

• Age
• Certain medical complications such as Sjogren’s Syndrome (a medical condition marked by dry eyes and a dry mouth) arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders and deficiency of Vitamin A among a few others
• Side effects of certain medications such as anti-depressants, acne medications, birth control medications and medicines to control high blood pressure
• Laser eye surgery or damage caused to the tear gland due to exposure to radiation or inflammation

2. Increased drying up or evaporation of the tears caused due to exposure to various kinds of smoke, dry air or wind, less of blinking while focusing on any particular activity or an object and eye lid problems such as in-turning of the eyelids (entropion) and out-turning of the eyelids (ectropion) can contribute to this irritating condition.

3. Imbalance in any of the layers constituting a tear film (made of oil, mucus and water) might lead to this condition.

When the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva, the mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Due to certain conditions, such a phenomenon can occur and this condition is known as dry mouth or xerostomia. Xerostomia or dry mouth can occur due to multiple reasons.

Read on more to find all about the different causes and symptoms of dry mouth:

Causes:

1. Side effects of certain medications: Dry mouth occurs due to the effect of certain prescription and nonprescription medications. Drugs used to treat depression, pain, allergies, anxiety, epilepsy, obesity, nausea and psychotic disorders can cause dry mouth condition as a side effect. Sedatives and muscle relaxers can also cause dry mouth.
2. Side effects of certain disease and infections: Certain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, mumps, diabetes, hypertension, cystic fibrosis, anemia and Parkinson's disease can also cause dry mouth or xerostomia.
3. Side effects of treatments: If the salivary glands are damaged due to certain reasons, then less saliva is secreted resulting in dry mouth. Certain treatments such as radiation treatments in the head and neck or chemotherapy sessions could indirectly cause dry mouth by damaging the salivary glands.
4. Nerve damage: Dry mouth can also be due to a person suffering from nerve damage caused due to accident or surgery.
5. Dehydration: Conditions like fever, excessive vomiting, diarrhea, excessive sweating, which cause dehydration can also cause dry mouth.
6. Removal of salivary glands: Surgical removal of the salivary glands also causes dry mouth. 
7. Lifestyle choices: Certain lifestyle preferences such as chewing tobacco or smoking can cause dry mouth.

Symptoms:
Dry mouth has several symptoms. If you have some or all of the symptoms mentioned below, then you are more than likely suffering from dry mouth.

1. A sticky and dry feeling in the mouth. 
2. The frequent feeling of being thirsty.
3. A dry, parched feeling in the throat.
4. The tongue being dry, raw and red.
5. There is discomfort and problem while you are speaking or experiencing problems with chewing, tasting or swallowing food.
6. Experiencing dry nasal passages, a sore throat or hoarseness in the voice.
7. A tingling or slightly burning sensation in the mouth but particularly in the tongue.
8. Having a bad breath.

Bad breath is a condition that usually results from poor oral health or digestive problems. Bad breath may also cause social awkwardness and self-esteem issues. The practitioner first carries out a diagnosis to detect the symptoms and prescribes a remedy accordingly.

The various causes of bad breath are -

1. Irregular brushing habits
2. Tobacco consumption
3. Consuming certain foods like onion and garlic may result in a foul smell
4. Yeast infections in the mouth
5. Dry mouth where saliva production is minimal
6. Illnesses such as kidney problems may cause bad breath

Homeopathy focusses on providing a holistic treatment rather than a symptom based treatment.

The various homeopathic remedies for bad breath are -

1. Pulsatilla
If you have bad breath along with dry mouth, Pulsatilla can be an effective remedy. Pulsatilla is a very effective treatment for getting rid of bad breath along with dry mouth.

2. Merc sol
It is very effective in treating bad breath along with increased production of saliva. If your salivary glands are overactive and have a moist mouth, then this remedy is recommended. It is also useful in getting rid of bad breath that occurs from dental cavities.

3. Carbo veg
If the bad breath results from infections such as gingivitis and gum bleeding, then you may use this remedy. It is also used in the treatment of pus discharge from the gums.

4. Carbolic acid
Carbolic acid is used to treat bad breath along with constipation. The symptoms are bloated abdomen, abdominal cramps and nausea.

5. Kreosote
This remedy is recommended for bad breath that results from dental caries. It may lead to bleeding from your gums due to teeth decay.

6. Belladona
Belladona is a treatment that is recommended for bad breath that results from a throat infection. The throat infection may be accompanied by symptoms of fever.

7. Nux vomica
Nux vomica is used for treating symptoms of bad breath along with cold. This also relieves symptoms of indigestion and constipation.

Bad breath is a condition that usually results from poor oral health or digestive problems. Bad breath may also cause social awkwardness and self-esteem issues. The practitioner first carries out a diagnosis to detect the symptoms and prescribes a remedy accordingly.

The various causes of bad breath are -

1. Irregular brushing habits
2. Tobacco consumption
3. Consuming certain foods like onion and garlic may result in a foul smell
4. Yeast infections in the mouth
5. Dry mouth where saliva production is minimal
6. Illnesses such as kidney problems may cause bad breath

Homeopathy focusses on providing a holistic treatment rather than a symptom based treatment.

The various homeopathic remedies for bad breath are -

1. Pulsatilla
If you have bad breath along with dry mouth, Pulsatilla can be an effective remedy. Pulsatilla is a very effective treatment for getting rid of bad breath along with dry mouth.

2. Merc sol
It is very effective in treating bad breath along with increased production of saliva. If your salivary glands are overactive and have a moist mouth, then this remedy is recommended. It is also useful in getting rid of bad breath that occurs from dental cavities.

3. Carbo veg
If the bad breath results from infections such as gingivitis and gum bleeding, then you may use this remedy. It is also used in the treatment of pus discharge from the gums.

4. Carbolic acid
Carbolic acid is used to treat bad breath along with constipation. The symptoms are bloated abdomen, abdominal cramps and nausea.

5. Kreosote
This remedy is recommended for bad breath that results from dental caries. It may lead to bleeding from your gums due to teeth decay.

6. Belladona
Belladona is a treatment that is recommended for bad breath that results from a throat infection. The throat infection may be accompanied by symptoms of fever.

7. Nux vomica
Nux vomica is used for treating symptoms of bad breath along with cold. This also relieves symptoms of indigestion and constipation.

Bad breath is a condition that usually results from poor oral health or digestive problems. Bad breath may also cause social awkwardness and self-esteem issues. The practitioner first carries out a diagnosis to detect the symptoms and prescribes a remedy accordingly.

The various causes of bad breath are -

1. Irregular brushing habits
2. Tobacco consumption
3. Consuming certain foods like onion and garlic may result in a foul smell
4. Yeast infections in the mouth
5. Dry mouth where saliva production is minimal
6. Illnesses such as kidney problems may cause bad breath

Homeopathy focusses on providing a holistic treatment rather than a symptom based treatment.

The various homeopathic remedies for bad breath are -

1. Pulsatilla
If you have bad breath along with dry mouth, Pulsatilla can be an effective remedy. Pulsatilla is a very effective treatment for getting rid of bad breath along with dry mouth.

2. Merc sol
It is very effective in treating bad breath along with increased production of saliva. If your salivary glands are overactive and have a moist mouth, then this remedy is recommended. It is also useful in getting rid of bad breath that occurs from dental cavities.

3. Carbo veg
If the bad breath results from infections such as gingivitis and gum bleeding, then you may use this remedy. It is also used in the treatment of pus discharge from the gums.

4. Carbolic acid
Carbolic acid is used to treat bad breath along with constipation. The symptoms are bloated abdomen, abdominal cramps and nausea.

5. Kreosote
This remedy is recommended for bad breath that results from dental caries. It may lead to bleeding from your gums due to teeth decay.

6. Belladona
Belladona is a treatment that is recommended for bad breath that results from a throat infection. The throat infection may be accompanied by symptoms of fever.

7. Nux vomica
Nux vomica is used for treating symptoms of bad breath along with cold. This also relieves symptoms of indigestion and constipation.

Taking a large no. Of medications often leads to a dry mouth. Increase your fluid intake or ask your dentist about an artificial saliva product or chew sugarless gum after a meal to keep your mouth moist.

Bad breath also is known as Halitosis.
Maybe due to improper brushing, underlying gum disease, Diet, improper cleaning of the tongue. It may also be due to any underlying Health disease like diabetes, sinus infection, lung disease, Gastrointestinal problems etc. 
How can you prevent bad odor?
Proper brushing, flossing, Cleaning your tongue is important as most of the time the bad breath is due to not cleaning of your tongue. Mouth rinsing after taking every meal. Keep your self-hydrated and avoid drying of your mouth.
Visit your dentist for treatment of any gum diseases.