Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is often a side effect of certain medications. Other contributing factors can include dehydration, vitamin deficiency, ageing, cancer therapy, recreational drug use, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Chronic dry mouth can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as a sticky or dry feeling of the tongue, a sore throat, grooves in the tongue, cracked lips, trouble chewing and swallowing, bad breath, and problems wearing dentures.

Negative Effects of Dry Mouth

As the mouth’s natural rinse, saliva is an incredibly important factor in your oral health. Saliva rinses away food particles and bacteria that lead to plaque and tartar and helps remineralize teeth. Due to the inadequate production of saliva, chronic dry mouth contributes to an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and bad breath, as well as poor self-esteem.

What to Do About Dry Mouth

• Never miss your dental cleaning and as your hygienist for recommendations.
• Always make sure you are drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, even if you aren't thirsty. We recommend keeping a reusable water bottle with you at all times and regularly refilling it.
• Ask your doctor about other medications that don’t cause dry mouth. Do not stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
• If you smoke, drink alcohol, or do drugs recreationally–quit!
• Brush and floss your teeth every day, and use an alcohol-free lubricating mouthwash specially-formulated to combat mouth dryness.
• Ask us about saliva substitutes or medications that stimulate the production of saliva.

Dry Mouth Treatment in Oakville

Our expert team at Kiwi Dental can help you find solutions to your dental discomfort and help prevent future issues with your teeth. So if you’re experiencing chronic dry mouth, contact us today! We hope to hear from you soon.

How Aging Affects Dental Health

Over time, the protective outer layer of our teeth, called the enamel, weakens and thins through everyday wear and tear. This makes teeth more vulnerable to decay. Moreover, the weakening process can be accelerated by the cumulative effects of any chronic teeth grinding, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and excessive consumption of acidic foods and beverages. Older adults may also be more prone to bone loss and gum disease that can lead to tooth loss. Another common complication with ageing and teeth is that some medications needed for other ailments may negatively impact mouth health. Dry mouth, for example, is one side effect of many prescription medications. Loss of taste may also be a factor.

Tips to Keep Teeth Healthy for Life

The key elements of proper dental hygiene and good oral health habits stay the same throughout our lifetime:

• Always brush your teeth twice daily, for two minutes each time.
• Floss at least once every day.
• Eat a diet high in fresh vegetables and good sources of protein, and low in sugar and refined carbohydrates.
• Drink plenty of water, especially if you must take prescription medications that lead to dry mouth.
• Don’t smoke or use tobacco products. They cause yellowing of teeth and bad breath and increase your risk of oral cancer.
• Keep up with your biannual dental appointments so we can check for problems and treat them before they get worse.

How Kiwi Dental Can Help Maintain Your Smile

Here at our Oakville dental office, we provide preventive measures to help keep your teeth healthy and strong. For example, custom-fitted nightguards are available to protect your teeth from chronic clenching and grinding, and fluoride treatments and sealants can help prevent decay and cavities. But even if you feel like the effects of ageing have already taken a heavy toll on your smile, it’s possible that your most glowing smile is yet to come! Because of modern dental technology, there are solutions to all manner of dental problems, especially those caused by ageing. Professional teeth whitening can brighten up a stained and yellow smile, and veneers can hide teeth that are discoloured, misshapen, and chipped. Dentures, dental implants, bridges, crowns, and gum grafts can give you a strong, beautiful smile that feels like new. Whatever the problem, we have a solution.

Achieve & Maintain a Healthy Smile with Kiwi Dental!

Don’t fear to age; with a capable dentist such as Dr. Somayeh Nourian at your side, you have years of a glowing grin ahead of you. Contact us today if you have any questions about ageing and your teeth, or if you’d like to set up a consultation to discuss our preventive, restorative, or cosmetic treatments.

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Kiwi Benefits

Considering this small fruit is actually quite large, you may be surprised to learn a kiwi is a berry instead of a citrus fruit. Brown on the outside but a tropical, bright green within, kiwis contain fibre and calcium, both known to benefit the health of your teeth. Kiwis also contain vitamin C, which strengthens your gums and helps protect against gum inflammation, called gingivitis.

A Healthy Choice

A refreshing fruit like a kiwi can be a healthy and satisfying way to kick your craving for a sugary candy or otherwise tooth-wrecking snack. Although kiwis, and all fruits, do contain natural sugar, they also offer the nutrients mentioned above, making them a much smarter choice than prepackaged cookies or candy, which are highly processed. However, eating a diet full of fresh fruits (like kiwis) and vegetables doesn’t mean you’re off the hook when it comes to oral hygiene! No matter your diet, it's critical to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, to floss between your teeth at least once a day, and to visit us every six months for a professional cleaning.

Watch Out for the Seeds

Kiwi seeds are almost all good. The little black seeds contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fibre, and antioxidants. But those pesky black seeds are tiny, and they are prone to get stuck between your teeth. So after enjoying a kiwi, be sure to drink plenty of water, chew sugar-free gum, and/or use floss to dislodge any seeds.

Sweet Oral Care at Kiwi Dental

Here at Kiwi Dental, we offer a range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic procedures for all ages. Whether you need a basic cleaning or root canal therapy, or if you’re looking for Invisalign^® or veneers, you’ll be in good hands with us. Check out our services or contact us today to set up a future appointment.