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What Causes Dry Mouth Post A Dental Procedure?

Posted on Fri, 27 Jan 2017

Question: I have had eight root canals over the last year. Six of them were on lower front teeth. One possible cause mentioned was dry mouth but none of my medications strongly mention this. I do wear a partial lower bridge. When taken out I experience an abundance of sticky saliva against my lower teeth. I have wondered if the metal bar holding the two sides together could have any thing to do with it - somekind of allergic reaction. I had the partial for about a year before the erosion was discovered. Since then I have also had root canals done on two upper teeth. All but one have continue after months to be painful. Should they have permanent crowns put on at this point?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

First of all I would like to tell you that reduced saliva flow is a major cause for rapid tooth decay, which is because of the fact that reduced saliva flow causes reduced flushing action of debris from the teeth..

This increases bacterial overgrowth that causes decay..

Secondly thick sticky saliva is due to dry mouth only and when the watery component of saliva is reduced it causes thick mucous like accumulation..

If you had a painful tooth after Root Canal Treatment then it is not advisable to go for permanent crown placement done and first of all the tooth should be re evaluated for the cause of pain, treated accordingly and then once pain completely subsides crown should be placed..

You should first of all consult an Oral Physician and get evaluated for the cause of dry mouth that can be due to reasons like side effects of medication, salivary gland dysfunction,Sjogrens syndrome etc..
As of now to relieve dry mouth you can gargle with specialised mouthwash like Biotene suitable for dry mouth patient..
You can such tart candies and chew sugar free chewing gum..
Drink plenty of water..
Maintain a good Oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice daily and gargle after meals..

Please write back for further queries..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (7 hours later)

When I mentioned to my dentist more than once that my teeth with root canals still hurt she said it could take up to a year for pain to subside. I chose to wait a couple months for permanent crowns while I waited for further insurance coverage as I couldn't afford to pay cash at that time. She insisted that the remaining four teeth be crowned at the same time because of adjusting my partial or I would could have paid for them one at a time. Can it take that long for pain to subside?

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed below..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Welcome back..

As per your explanation, no, it does not take such a long time for pain in root canal treated to subside and many a time pain subsides after just a single first sitting of root canal procedure..

If the pain is not subsided then there is some problem with the treatment like Infection..

I would suggest you to consult an Endodontist and get x rays of the painful teeth..

Also once the pain subsides after treatment then only permanent crown should be placed..

Hope this helps..

Regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T