Re: Dry Mouth Complications From Medication

[Guest guest]

Mark,

Have you tried Biotene mouthwash? I use it several times a day. It helps a lot

with drymouth.

Penny

[Guest guest]

Mark:

I have the same problem with dry mouth. I have resorted to using sugar

free hard candy when home and sugar free chewing gum when out. It

keeps the saliva flowing and helps quite a bit.

Of course I drink a lot of water during the day -- even when I not

thirsty.

As for losing expensively maintained teeth, I think it is more of an

issue with age. The just wear out and crack.

Growing old is really the pits, but the obverse is much worse.

--Larry

[Guest guest]

Try drinking lots of water and eating on mints throughout the day.

 

Debbie from MO

[Guest guest]

Penny,

Yes, I use that. But apparently the drug regimen I take is just too much for

rinses, water, etc. It has greatly accelerated during the past year, and it is

heartbreaking to watch and listen as I loose my teeth. I'm not at the age when

teeth should be falling apart, especially

given the care and dental treatments I've adhered to all my life.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Hey Debbie.

Yes, I drink reservoirs of water, diet soda, etc. I'm always thirsty, but do

reach my limit. Mint, gum, etc help to entertain the mouth, but I don't feel

any benefit. Thanks for your suggestions. I appreciate all this feedback.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark,

When medication causes the saliva to dry up, then it allows bacteria to stay in

the mouth and grow more readily.  Perhaps rinsing with an

antiseptic/anti-gingivitis mouth wash several times a day would help, as well as

brush and flossing immediately after eating anything.  Chewing sugarless gum may

help.  Also going to the dentist 3-4 times a year for a cleaning and getting any

damaged teeth repaired right away.  Loss of one tooth can lead to loss of other

teeth more quickly if it's not repaired.  Also, maybe there's something else you

can take internally to help, perhaps phosphorus?  I don't know if that would

help, but I would recommend talking to your primary care doctor to see if

there's anything he/she can recommend that might help.

 

[Guest guest]

Mark,

I had another thought.  I wonder if taking chlorophyll might help.  It's called

an " internal deodorant " because it has some ability to kill bacteria.  People

with colostomy bags use it for that reason.  Kay, on this site, uses it for

helping her with breathing issues.  I tried it for the same reason.  Though I

couldn't detect changes in my breathing, I did notice a deodorant type effect

which, being that I'm a girl and all, I found that attractive and continued

taking it!  It's not expensive and might be worth a try.  If you decide to try

it, you may want the capsules, since the liquid could stain compromised teeth. 

I get mine at vitacost.com.  It has copper in it, so just make sure it's ok with

the doctor and doesn't interfere with your meds or anything else you've got

going on.

 

[Guest guest]

Thank you . Now that's definitely " food for thought " . I'll have to check

this out.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Thanks . I appreciate your advice sincerely.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Hi Mark:

I too suffer from dry mouth as a result of various types of medication I need to

take on a daily basis. My dentist was extremely concerned about what this was

doing to my teeth. My teeth were decaying so fast that I have only 19 teeth

left, only 1 molar. I have to " gum " my food.

He prescribed a medication called Salagen 5mg. (pilocarpine HCL). This has

helped me tremendously to generate saliva. He also made me a set of " trays " to

fill with Fluoride on a weekly basis. I have not lost any teeth since this

treatment.

My health insurance also allows me to see my dentist every 6 months for a

cleaning and inspection.

Regards............

[Guest guest]

Hello

WOW!! You sound just like me, including the one molar. I believe I am down to

19 or 20 teeth myself. Since April I've lost 5. I will ask my dentist about

Salagen when I see him next. He has me using a fluoride toothpaste, but it

doesn't seem to be helping. I'll also ask him about the fluoride trays. Thank

you so much for responding. I feel relieved that someone else is going through

the same painful, and costly process.

Mark

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your info. I asked my dentist about Salagen and the fluoride

trays. He's ordering the trays (samples) and will start me on them once they

arrive. Thanks for the advice. Otherwise, I'd still be in a no win situation.

Mark