One of the most common pieces of advice for people suffering from dry mouth is to chew sugar-free gum, but that’s not an option for people with braces. At Ross Orthodontics, we’re sensitive to our patients’ difficulty with dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) and want to help them find solutions.
Dry mouth is a common side-effect of medication but can also result from braces interfering with saliva flow or saliva being used up combatting irritation. Many people also get orthodontics as a way of correcting malocclusions that contribute to dry mouth by causing breathing difficulty. All of these people can benefit from the use of throat moisturizers, some of which are available cheaply over-the-counter and the stronger of which can be prescribed. They also benefit from the use of humidifiers in the bedroom and office, or any room they have to spend a lot of time in. While it is obvious that people with dry mouth need to stay hydrated, not everybody is aware that alcoholic, sugary, and caffeinated drinks actually contribute to dryness and should be reduced if the patient is in frequent discomfort. One thing that is never advisable is chewing ice; this habit can cause chipped teeth and wreck orthodontic devices.
To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit SmilesbyRoss.com. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.
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