Dry mouth in children can have serious consequences for their oral health, nutrition, and development, but dry mouth remedies can help alleviate discomfort and prevent child dry mouth from becoming a serious problem. Adults, especially the elderly, are susceptible to dry mouth as a side effect of medications. Dry mouth, on the other hand, can affect people of any age group and depending on the cause, it can be a temporary or long-term problem that necessitates dental intervention. With proper hydration and medical treatment, the uncomfortable dry mouth child symptoms can be alleviated, allowing them to feel more comfortable and healthy. Here’s everything you need to know about dry mouth in kids from our Kids Dentist Las Vegas.
Dry Mouth Symptoms
Low saliva production and a severe lack of saliva characterize dry mouth. This causes of dry mouth in child to become abnormally dry, leading to chapped, cracked lips, a dry tongue, and a parched throat. While these symptoms may appear to be minor, they can lead to a slew of problems if not addressed with dry mouth remedies.
Because children’s mouths are more sensitive than adults’, dry mouth can have a greater impact on them. Worse, particularly in younger children, they may lack the vocabulary to accurately describe what they’re going through, masking the issue. However, as a parent, you are in a unique position to observe symptoms and behaviors in order to determine whether dry mouth remedies are required.
The following are some of the most common side effects of dry mouth in children:
Pain: It’s possible that this is the first sign of a problem. The mouth becomes more sensitive as it dries out. The skin around the mouth chaps and cracks, and the tongue and guns can dry out, causing irritation.
Increased tooth decay, plaque deposits, and gum disease: Saliva is an important part of the mouth’s ecosystem, as it protects teeth from acids and bacteria, moisturises the inside of the mouth, including the gums, and prevents acids and bacteria from destroying tooth enamel. Dry mouth remedies are important to protect your child’s teeth and gums, because their mouths are more vulnerable to these threats when they don’t have enough saliva.
Eating, Drinking, Swallowing, And Talking Issues: Irritation and a lack of moisture can make a child’s developing mouth feel clumsy, causing them to trip over words or phrases. Furthermore, without saliva, making the necessary movements for eating a variety of foods and swallowing effectively can become difficult and painful, increasing the risk of choking or aspiration.
Common Dry Mouth Causes
Dry mouth in children can be caused by a variety of factors, and the cause will determine which dry mouth remedies will work best in the long run. While these are the most common causes, the condition can also be caused by other factors.
Medications:
Many medications cause dry mouth as a side effect. Medication-induced dry mouth can be temporary, as it often is when starting a treatment regimen, or it can last for the duration of the treatment. While you can discuss the complication with your child’s doctor, it’s possible that continuing the medicine and using dry mouth remedies to alleviate the discomfort will provide the best overall treatment outcome for the child.
Radiation Therapy:
Radiation therapy, such as that used to treat cancer patients, can cause dry mouth and other systemic issues. These usually go away once the therapy is stopped, but in the meantime, the focus should be on treating the symptoms.
Diseases:
Several diseases, most notably autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren’s syndrome, can attack salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth. Your child’s immunologist may recommend dry mouth remedies or refer your child to a dentist as part of a treatment plan.
Normal Development and Growth:
Children’s bodies are constantly developing and growing. It is not uncommon for a child to experience temporary bouts of dry mouth as their bodies, hormones, and nervous systems evolve, just as they may occasionally complain of sudden sharp pain. If this is the case, they usually get over it within a few days considering the other factors that contribute to dry mouth.
Remedies for Dry Mouth
Treatments for dry mouth in children are available, whether they are short-term or long-term. You can better manage the condition if you treat these symptoms effectively.
Keep Your Child Hydrated By Drinking More Water:
It’s the simplest of dry mouth remedies, but it’s also one of the best. The easier it is to produce saliva, the more hydrated you are. Sucking water moistens the mouth, reducing discomfort and making eating, drinking, and talking easier. A straw will make it easier for your child to drink enough liquids if they have trouble swallowing.
Sugary drinks, soda, and caffeine should all be avoided:
Sugar and caffeine, which are found in varying amounts in sodas and a variety of other foods and drinks, dry out your child’s mouth rather than moistening it. Furthermore, all sodas, including diet sodas, contain a high level of acid that should be avoided because it can harm your child’s teeth, which are already dry and vulnerable.
Gum without sugar:
One of the best dry mouth remedies is sugarless or sugar-free gum, which encourages your child’s body to produce its own saliva. Choose a flavour they enjoy and let them loose!
Good Oral Hygiene:
Following each meal with a brush, floss, and mouthwash stimulates the gums and teeth. It also removes harmful bacteria and debris. Furthermore, toothpaste and mouth rinse designed for people with dry mouth can help provide longer-lasting relief from the symptoms. Look for pastes that are free of SLS.
Make an appointment with your child’s dentist:
Talking to your pediatric dentist is one of the most effective ways to find the right dry mouth remedies. They can not only suggest treatments to alleviate the symptoms of dry mouth, but they can also begin to explain why your child is experiencing it in the first place. Bring your child’s dry mouth to the attention of their dentist right away if it has been a persistent problem.
It Isn’t Necessary For Your Child To Suffer
By treating symptoms with safe, effective dry mouth remedies right away, you give your child the best chance of avoiding pain, discomfort, and long-term oral health complications. You can make an appointment with one of our best pediatric dentists in Las Vegas today if your child exhibits these symptoms and you live in the Las Vegas area.