What Happens When Your Gums Dry Out?

Posted on 5/30/2019 by Dr. Jae Seon Kim

Dried out gums is another way of saying dry mouth or cotton mouth. There are numerous reasons that your gums can dry out. Certain prescription medications cause dry mouth, as can breathing through your mouth, sinus problems, infections and a myriad of other reasons. Sometimes having dry mouth is just a one-time thing, in which case you needn't worry.

But if your mouth gets dry repeatedly you must find the underlying cause and take steps to counteract it. It is very Important to your oral health for the saliva to continue to flow. Saliva is your body's natural mouthwash and protects and cleans your teeth in between your brushings and flossing.

How Do You Treat Dry Gums?

Treating dry gums is a matter of determining the cause and coming up with a defense. First, we have to find out why your saliva has stopped being produced in sufficient amounts to take care of your oral health properly. Once we find out what is causing your dry gums, we can develop a treatment plan that is right for you and implement it. It could be something as simple as changing your diet or we could find an underlying medical reason, such as a sinus infection, that would be better treated by your physician. We can give you tips on what to do until the infection is gone.

What Can I Do if It Isn't a Medical Problem?
If it isn't a medical problem and is merely bad habits or bad diet choices on your part, we can most certainly help with that. You should quit smoking if you do smoke and if you drink a lot of beverages with caffeine either drink less or add plenty of water into the regimen. Above all you must remain hydrated. Please contact our office so we can help prevent problems that arise when your gums dry out.

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Seattle, WA 98109-2700

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Pacific Modern Dentistry, 2046 Westlake Ave. N., Suite 204 Seattle, WA 98109; (206)284-4505; pacificmoderndentistry.com; 5/26/2023; Associated Words: dental implants Seattle WA;