Call Dr. Silberman to Discuss Dry Mouth from Radiation Therapy or Chemotherapy

If you are about to start Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy, please call me. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva. I can offer suggestions to deal with the symptoms and risks of dry mouth which can be quite serious. There are many products now on the market which can help, and the old stand by that’s been around the longest is the line of products by Biotene. Consider is a “saliva replacement”. The most popular among my patients is the small pump spray bottle. It is small enough to keep in your pocket or purse. Refer to this site for additional information about Biotenedecay (http://www.biotene.com/dry-mouth-products?google=p_&). During radiation or chemo treatment, it is important to stay away from sugar, especially in hard candies, lozenges, and sucking on pieces of chocolate. With the decrease of saliva teeth are much more susceptible to tooth decay. A good fluoride rinse should be used twice a day. The most common are ACT and Phos-Flur and they are effective against decay, as well as being helpful at keeping the gums healthy. Sip water or sugarless drinks often. Avoid drinks with caffeine, as caffeine can dry out the mouth. Don’t use tobacco or alcohol and they dry out the mouth. Spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth. The use of a humidifier at night may also be helpful. For more information about dry mouth, you can also visit the link below.

http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/?abc=d&iid=187