Dry Mouth

Q: What are some causes of dry mouth?

A: There are many possible causes of xerostomia, or dry mouth.  The most common being that it is a side effect of over 400 medications.  Additional causes would be medical conditions like diabetes, stroke, and sjogren's syndrome.

The biggest problem with dry mouth from a dental health perspective is that it can cause tooth decay.  There are some remedies that can make dry mouth more manageable:  drink plenty of water, use prescriptions fluoride products, limit caffiene, avoid mouth rinses containing alcohol, chew xylitol gum/mints and stop tobacco use.

Bad Breath

Q: What causes bad breath?

A: The most obvious cause of halitosis (bad breath) is food.  Some of the most common culprits are garlic, onions and alcohol.
Poor oral hygiene is also a major cause of bad breath.  The breakdown of food and bacteria left in the mouth can result in a foul odor.  Thorough brushing 2x/day and flossing daily along with the use of a tongue scraper will help eliminate the odor.  Also, treatment of any periodontal disease is important.

Dry mouth, xerostomia, can contribute to bad breath but is often overlooked.  Sugar free gums and mints can help by increasing salivary production.  Drinking more water will also help.

Occasionally, bad breath can be caused by a sinus infection or chronic post nasal drip.
Smoking and chewing tobacco are also definite causes of halitosis.