My teeth were starting to deteriorate, and I was running out of options to repair them. The dentist gave me a choice. I could wait until the bone loss was so bad that I would have to have my teeth removed and get dentures, or I could have them removed now and get dental implants. I opted for the implants. If you’re thinking of getting dental implants, you probably have a lot of questions. I love mine, but they took some getting used to. In this blog, I’m sharing my experience and all the information that I picked up throughout my implant experience. You can find out what the procedure entails, how to prepare for your implants, and how to care for them once they’re in.
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Occasional dry mouth is normal and might just mean that you're thirsty, but chronic dry mouth is a serious concern. This condition is very common among some groups of people; about one-quarter of people with diabetes also suffer from dry mouth. Here's what you need to know about it.
Why is dry mouth a serious concern?
Dry mouth is more than just an annoyance. Saliva does a lot more than just keep your mouth moist; it also helps to protect you from tooth decay. It does this in a couple of ways. Saliva rinses food particles and bacteria from your teeth and forms a barrier between your teeth and acidic foods and drinks. When you have chronic dry mouth, your saliva isn't performing these essential functions, and food particles, bacteria, and acids are allowed to remain on your teeth. This increases your risk of developing tooth decay.
How does diabetes cause dry mouth?
Like other complications of diabetes, dry mouth is caused by high levels of sugar and insulin in the blood. These substances cause changes in the function of your salivary glands, the glands that are responsible for making saliva. Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly how this happens.
How do you get rid of dry mouth?
To get rid of dry mouth, you need to deal with the root cause of the issue, your high blood sugar levels. Try to control your diabetes, and if you're having trouble doing this, ask your doctor for help. In the meantime, your dentist can help you manage the discomfort that comes along with dry mouth. Your dentist will recommend methods such as drinking more water or chewing sugar free gum to stimulate the production of saliva, and if that isn't enough, you may need to use artificial saliva.
What is artificial saliva?
Artificial saliva is a product that replaces your real saliva; it's available in both spray and liquid form. It's not quite as good as real saliva, but it's a lot better than nothing. Artificial saliva products are swallowed very quickly, just like real saliva is, so you need to reapply them frequently. If your dentist recommends using artificial saliva, you can get it without a prescription at your pharmacy.
Dry mouth is a serious concern for people with diabetes. It's not just annoying; it can also increase your risk of developing tooth decay. If your mouth always feels dry, talk to a dentist (such as one from Four Corners Dental Group) as soon as possible.
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