Stress and Dry Mouth (xerostomia)

Posted by Dr. Belgin Günay on Thu, 27 Jul 2023

Westboro Dental Centre Dr. Belgin Günay - Dentist Ottawa

Dry mouth can be caused by stress and can be a side-effect of medications taken to treat stress and depression.

Saliva is vital to keep your mouth moist, wash away food and neutralize the acids that are produced by plaque.

Without an adequate flow of saliva, your mouth's first line of defence against plaque is compromised, and this can lead to tooth decay.

If dry mouth is left untreated, you can develop tooth decay, gum disease and be at a greater risk for fungal or viral infections in your mouth.

Chewing sugarless gum, sipping water regularly and using non-alcohol mouthwashes and over-the-counter saliva substitutes are some of the choices for treatment.