Dry Mouth and Braces

We want patients at Ross Orthodontics to be as comfortable as possible when undergoing orthodontic treatment, which is why we’re interested in preventing dry mouth. Also known as xerostomia, dry mouth not only puts braces patients at greater risk for irritation, it also increases the risk of gingivitis. However, it may be treatable with some simple lifestyle changes.

Saliva isn’t just a lubricant; it’s also a part of the immune system. It washes away food debris, denying food to decay-causing bacteria, and it regulates the mouth’s pH level to make it inhospitable to fungi. But when saliva production is inhibited or can’t keep up with dry conditions, the mouth is likelier to develop infections, which could be particularly troublesome to people with mouth lesions.

In the short term, patients with braces can use dental wax to prevent mouth injuries, but dry mouth deserves attention. Alcohol, sugar, and caffeine are all contributors to it, so patients should avoid drinks such as soda. They may also want to try throat moisturizers or stimulating saliva production by sucking sugar-free hard candy. Some medications cause dry mouth as a side effect, particularly those for ADHD, so patients may need to consult with other doctors about changing them.

To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.

Dry Mouth with Orthodontics

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.