(ARA) - The flare-up of pain as you sip from your coffee cup might raise your eyebrow for just a moment, but then the pain disappears and you forget about it. Across the aisle, your coworker is filling his water bottle for the third time this morning, trying to keep his mouth wet enough to talk on the phone.

These two oral health conditions might not bother a person enough to schedule an appointment with a dentist, but ignoring them could lead to much more serious issues.

Two surveys conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) found that dry mouth and sensitive teeth complaints are very common and might be caused by certain actions you are taking.

Dentists responding to a survey indicated that dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common complaint by patients taking multiple medications. There are many prescription and nonprescription drugs that can contribute to dry mouth, but it also can be a symptom of diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and even high blood pressure.

The AGD member surveys also revealed that tooth sensitivity, also known as dentin hypersensitivity, is typically caused by aggressive tooth brushing or consuming acidic foods and beverages.

"Millions of Americans suffer from dry mouth and sensitive teeth, but all too often, symptoms are ignored," says Dr. Gigi Meinecke, DMD, FAGD. "This is a problem because these oral conditions can lead to serious consequences."

Dry mouth can:
* Accelerate tooth decay
* Lead to cavities
* Cause difficulty eating, swallowing, or speaking
* Irritate the tongue and create painful ulcerations
* Cause a burning sensation in the mouth

Sensitive teeth can:
* Create sharp, sudden pain in one or more teeth
* Cause discomfort
* Signal tooth erosion
* Indicate receding gums

An informational Web site, www.knowyourteeth.com, was created by the AGD to increase awareness of these common conditions, as well as other oral health concerns. In addition to providing facts and information, the site also includes a "Dental Advisor" tool, which allows you to submit questions and have them answered by an AGD member dentist for free.

Some ways to alleviate dry mouth symptoms include chewing sugarless gum, sucking non-citrus sugarless candy, drinking plenty of water, using over-the-counter saliva substitutes, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Make sure the mouth rinse you use does not contain alcohol.

To help reduce tooth sensitivity, you can maintain good oral hygiene, use a soft-bristled toothbrush, switch to a desensitizing toothpaste, avoid grinding your teeth, and limit sugary and acidic food intake. After consuming acidic beverages, rinse your mouth, but wait to brush your teeth, as this can cause further erosion.

Most importantly, if you experience symptoms of dry mouth or tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist, who can recommend treatments to alleviate symptoms. For an AGD dentist referral, visit www.knowyourteeth.com or call (877) 2XA-YEAR (877-292-9327).

Courtesy of ARAcontent