Chronic dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is caused by lack of saliva for a long period of time. Multiple causes for dry mouth exist, including medications, chronic diseases, and certain medical treatments.
Chronic dry mouth is not only uncomfortable, but it increases your risk for dental caries and makes it difficult for dentures to fit properly. When a person with this unusually high risk for dental caries is unaware of the risk, it often leads to widespread and significant problems that often require extensive repair or may need extraction.
The treatment for people with dry mouths often focuses more on the prevention of cavities and tooth decay. We often have little control over the dryness, and so we treat the symptoms. Fluoride application, diet counseling, and oral hygiene instruction are common ways to lessen the effects of this level of dryness.
To help relieve symptoms of dry mouth you may want to drink fluids that do not contain sugar or acids, with water being the best. You also may want to use sugar-free hard candy or gum to stimulate saliva flow. Many people have also found some relief using over the counter saliva substitutes. If you suffer from dry mouth, you should visit your prosthodontist more frequently than every six months to address your increased risk of tooth decay.
The American Dental Association recognizes the American College of Prosthodontists as the organization for the specialty of prosthodontics, and the ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty association where membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in prosthodontics.
Prosthodontists are specialists in the restoration and replacement of missing teeth and oral/facial structures with natural, esthetic, and functional replacements. This includes surgical implant placement, the simple to most complex implant supported restorations, laboratory and clinical training in esthetics/cosmetics, crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, removable complete and partial dentures, dental implants, TMD-jaw joint problems, traumatic injuries to the mouth's structures, congenital or birth anomalies and/or teeth, snoring and sleep disorders, as well as oral cancer prosthetic reconstruction and continuing care.
Please note that we cannot provide treatment or dental care for you. We cannot arrange for reduced or low-cost dental care. The American College of Prosthodontists is a professional association for dental specialists.
If you believe that you need care from a prosthodontist, please contact an ACP member in your area through the Find a Prosthodontist search. We cannot recommend a specific prosthodontist or schedule treatment for you. If you have questions or comments about a treatment you received, please contact your prosthodontist or your state dental board.