Community Corner
Learn About Dry Mouth, Get a Free Dental Screening
Free dental screenings will be offered between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at North Brunswick High School.
By Maritza Dominguez, DMD, FGD
One common physical ailment found in dental patients with diabetes is “dry mouth,” or Xerostomia.
Serious dry mouth in diabetics is caused by numerous medications. Dry mouth and diabetes are also linked together because poorly controlled diabetes can cause problems with the production of saliva. Dentists should suspect undiagnosed diabetes as a possible cause when patients experience dry mouth symptoms. Dry mouth in diabetics is usually paired with excessive thirst and frequent urination.
There are approximately 500 medications that may cause dry mouth, and dry mouth can be damaging: Saliva helps speech, chewing, swallowing, and digestion. Adequate saliva also acts as an antimicrobial protection for teeth and aids their re-mineralization and cleaning, shielding and lubricating the mouth.
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Diabetics may also suffer dry mouth because of high blood sugar. Elevated blood sugar forces the kidneys to work overtime. This leads to frequent urination and possible dehydration. Diabetics should drink small amounts of water at spaced intervals throughout the day, rather than a lot at one time.
The dental-specific complications caused by severe and constant dry mouth are numerous and harmful: brittle teeth, cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis (pyorrhea), bad breath, and fungal infections among them.
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- Drink small sips of water as often as possible.
- Stay away from cigarettes, coffee, alcohol, and other known diuretics.
- Avoid acidic foods
- Eat a low-carbohydrate diet
- Stay away from sugar candy.
Products containing Xylitol have been shown to be very effective in combating dry mouth and cavities. Special gels and mouthwashes can also ease dry mouth. Those products can be found over the counter in any pharmacy or large department store. More severe dry mouth symptoms than those products are able to help should be discussed with one’s dentist, who can suggest other options.
When complications occur, a dentist may recommend the removal of some teeth or the removal of all teeth, replacing them with dentures. Dentures need moisture to function properly. Any diabetic told to replace their teeth with dentures should therefore seek a second opinion. I can’t count the number of times in my 25 years of practice that I have opted NOT to remove all of a diabetic’s teeth. A partial denture usually does the job. If the patient has waited too long and the teeth cannot be saved, other options require further investigation. But remember: Teeth removed are irreplaceable.
Maritza Dominguez, DMD, FGD, is the owner of Brunswick Dental Associates, 374 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick. Phone number: 732-246-4443.
Individuals can receive a free dental exam between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at North Brunswick High School.
The screenings are part of “Conferencia sobre la Diabetes (Diabetes Conference),” the American Diabetes Association’s annual bilingual educational conference, which will be held in partnership with Saint Peter’s Healthcare System and Novo Nordisk as part of National Diabetes Awareness Month, which occurs every November.
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