prevention

Dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Have you ever complained of the following symptoms?

• a dry mouth
• difficulty in swallowing
• a "bad" taste in your mouth 
• bad breath (halitosis)
• difficulty in speaking

If so, you may be suffering from a condition known as Xerostomia, more commonly known as Dry Mouth.

The Causes of Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a commonly under-diagnosed condition and is caused by the salivary glands in your mouth not working in the way they should normally.  Either the quantity or the quality of the saliva produced (or possibly both) has been disturbed in some way.

It's only when saliva is absent from the mouth that we realise how important it is.

So what exactly does saliva do?  Saliva performs many important roles within the mouth including lubrication and helping digestion, assisting the sense of taste, maintaining the health of the oral mucosa and aiding the remineralisation of the teeth.

Dehydration and mouth dryness can easily affect healthy people as a result of a number of common lifestyle factors, (e.g. the amount of coffee, tea or alcohol you drink, or smoking).  There are also several major medical conditions that are associated with Dry Mouth (e.g. Sjorgren syndrome, Diabetes, Radiotherapies).  Many medicines can induce a dry mouth as well, including the 'every day' ones that you can buy from the pharmacist, such as cough medicines, as well as some that you need a prescription from your GP for.

Immediate Relief - whenever, wherever

We can supply you with a unique, sugar free transparent gel that comes in four delicious flavours (orange, raspberry, lemon and mint)  It is designed to help relieve dry mouths and provide long lasting comfort and a soothing effect throughout the day.  For extra sustained protection during the night we also provide a special mousse and paste.

Whichever you decide to use, they all come in a conveniently sized tube that fits easliy into a pocket or handbag meaning it can be used whenever and wherever it is needed.  It's easy to use too.  You just apply the gel (or mousse or paste at night) with a clean finger over the insides of the cheeks, the gums and the inner teeth surfaces.

Who might benefit from using this gel?

If you have any of the conditions listed below you may might benefit from using the gel and the mousse or paste.

• mouth breathing during sleep
• drug-induced dry mouth (prescription or 'over the counter' medicines)
• denture wearers (for gum protection and lubrication)
• Sjogren syndrome
• radiation treatment
• diabetes mellitus
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• chronic hepatitis C infection

If you want to know more about using the Dry Mouth Gel or other products just pop in next time you're passing and ask one of our nurses or receptionists for some advice and walk away with a handy, compact tube that you know will deliver soothing relief whenever you need it.

For further information about Dry Mouth.
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