If you have ever experienced dry mouth (xerostomia), there is not doubt that it is an uncomfortable feeling. It seems as if no matter how much water or liquids you consume that absolutely nothing seems to help the situation get any better. In fact, there are many factors that can contribute to dry mouth, but if you’re someone who wears Invisalign aligners, it may feel like your Invisalign is what is causing your dry mouth. So, why would Invisalign cause dry mouth?
For starters, if you’re new to wearing Invisalign this could be a large reason why your mouth feels a little abnormal because the aligners are capable of causing the mouth to dry out. This is due to the fact that your mouth may not recognize your Invisalign aligners, which causes the gums or mouth to swell and decreases the saliva production, resulting in feeling unusual dryness. Additionally, other factors that may increase your dry mouth symptoms could also be a result of certain medications or health conditions. Consult with your doctor, dentist or orthodontist to see what practice would be best to eliminate your dry mouth.
In the meantime, drinking as much water as possible can help to make sure your mouth feels moistened. Limiting your caffeine intake can also help since caffeine leads to dry mouth for many individuals. With this being said, try decaffeinated coffee or tea to get your morning started! Certain mouth rinses, such as Biotene, are formulated to help alleviate any dry mouth symptoms, which could also be a benefit you. Talk to a dentist or orthodontist to see what rinse may be best for you and to determine how often you should use it.
If you’re experiencing a dry mouth when you wake up in the mornings, it could be extremely beneficial to use an air humidifier while you sleep to increase the moisture in the air. The moistened air helps to promote saliva production, which can lessen the effects of dry mouth.
Note that patients often get dry mouth from smoking, vaping, using a dab pen or consuming certain types food. This is not uncommon. While some people feel as if cottonmouth or dry mouth is uncomfortable, there are others that actually enjoy the slight amount of pain it can cause. Before self diagnosing and thinking it is solely Invisalign causing dry mouth, it is important to look at an entire diet.
It may be the case that your son or daughter complains about dry mouth and it could be caused by poor habits such as smoking, vaping, “hitting the dab or guy” or consuming specific types of unhealthy foods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dry Mouth
What is dry mouth?
Also known as Xerostomia, dry mouth is a condition in which your salivary glands do not make enough saliva to prevent your mouth from getting dry. Dry mouth affects about 10% of the population is more common in women than men.
What causes dry mouth?
There are a number of reasons you may experience dry mouth in addition to Invisalign. This condition may be the result of medications, certain disease, cancer treatments, aging, and even stress.
What are the most common symptoms of dry mouth?
A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, bad breath, cracked lips, mouth sores, and problems chewing, swallowing, tasting, and speaking are all signs of dry mouth.
Why is saliva so important?
We rarely think about how much saliva impacts our oral health. Not only can saliva fight against chemical and infectious attacks, it may help you digest food, protect your teeth from decay, and control bacteria in your mouth to fight infections. Therefore, insufficient saliva can be problematic and lead to conditions like dry mouth, mouth sores, sores or splints, and poor nutrition.
What types of products can add moisture to the mouth and treat dryness?
Over-the-counter mouth rinses, artificial saliva, and mouthwashes that are specifically formulated for dry mouth can help. In addition to using these products, you may want to limit your usage of alcohol and caffeine, tobacco, and decongestants as they can worsen the dryness.
Are there ways to ease the discomfort of dry mouth?
While you may not be able to completely prevent dry mouth, there are ways you can ease its discomfort. Bloss and floss twice a day, chew sugarless gum, drink plenty of water, avoid dry foods like crackers and toast, and refrain from citrus juices made from tomatoes, oranges, and grapefruits. Our Midlothian, VA dental friends at River Run Dental always encourage drinking of water over sugary drinks.
Contact Us
If you seem to be suffering from dry mouth while wearing your Invisalign, we recommend that you contact Gladwell Orthodontics as soon as possible to find a solution that works for you! You should feel comfortable during your Invisalign treatment and we want to make sure that you enjoy your Invisalign experience.
