Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when your salivary glands don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. Dr. Hickson recognizes this as more than just a comfort issue - saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Chronic dry mouth requires professional attention and management.

Common causes include medications (especially those for high blood pressure, depression, and allergies), aging, cancer treatments, autoimmune disorders like Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, nerve damage, dehydration, smoking, and mouth breathing. We'll help identify the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Symptoms include a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst, sore throat, difficulty swallowing or speaking, cracked lips, dry tongue, bad breath, altered taste, and increased tooth decay. Dr. Hickson can evaluate your symptoms during an examination and recommend effective solutions.

Without adequate saliva, your risk of cavities, gum disease, and oral infections increases significantly. Saliva helps neutralize acids produced by bacteria, wash away food debris, and provide disease-fighting substances. Chronic dry mouth can lead to rapid tooth decay, especially around the gumline and on root surfaces.

Dr. Hickson will review your medical history, medications, and symptoms. We'll examine your mouth for signs of dryness and may measure saliva flow. Understanding the underlying cause is essential for effective treatment, so we may recommend consulting with your physician about medication adjustments or testing for conditions like Sjögren's syndrome or diabetes.

Treatment depends on the cause. Options include prescription saliva substitutes, medications to stimulate saliva production, fluoride treatments to prevent decay, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes. We may recommend switching medications in consultation with your doctor, using a humidifier at night, or avoiding caffeine and alcohol.

Yes, medications are one of the most common causes of dry mouth. Hundreds of medications can reduce saliva production, including antihistamines, decongestants, pain medications, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants. Dr. Hickson can work with your physician to explore alternative medications or adjust dosages if possible.

Sip water frequently throughout the day, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva, use a humidifier at night, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, limit salty and spicy foods, and breathe through your nose rather than your mouth. We can recommend specific products designed for dry mouth relief.

Yes, many products are specifically formulated for dry mouth including alcohol-free mouthwashes, moisturizing toothpastes, oral moisturizing gels, and saliva substitutes. Dr. Hickson can recommend products that work best for your situation. We also recommend prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste to protect against the increased cavity risk.

Patients with dry mouth typically need more frequent dental visits - often every three to four months instead of the standard six months. These regular checkups allow us to monitor for early signs of decay, apply fluoride treatments, and adjust your care plan as needed to protect your oral health.

The outlook depends on the underlying cause. If dry mouth is medication-related, adjusting medications may resolve it. However, conditions like Sjögren's syndrome or damage from radiation therapy may cause permanent dry mouth. Even when we can't cure it, Dr. Hickson can help you manage symptoms effectively and protect your teeth from damage.

Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent the accelerated decay that often accompanies dry mouth. Dr. Hickson may recommend professional fluoride treatments at each visit, prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste for daily use, or fluoride rinses. This extra protection is essential when saliva isn't available to naturally protect your teeth.