Saliva is needed for moisturizing and cleaning our mouths. It also helps to swallow and digest food and has an antibacterial effect that helps prevent oral infections as well as dental disease.
When the human body does not produce enough saliva, dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs.
What causes dry mouth?
A side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of medication for various diseases, like depression, anxiety, allergies and colds, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, urinary incontinence, asthma, Parkinson’s disease etc. Dry mouth can also be caused by painkillers and sedatives. Moreover, interactions between certain drugs can make dry mouth worse.
Diseases and infections. Dry mouth van be a symptom of various diseases, including Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and mumps.
A side effect of certain medical procedures. Damage to the salivary glands can reduce the amount of saliva produced. For example, damage may occur because of radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Nerve damage. Dry mouth can result from damage to the nerves in the head and neck due to injury or surgery.
Dehydration. High fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns, all can cause dry mouth.
Lifestyle and habits. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect the amount of saliva produced and increase dry mouth. Constant mouth breathing can also contribute to this problem.
Ageing. Elderly people often experience symptoms of dry mouth. It is due to the fact, that with age people usually take more medication because of health problems that may cause this symptom.
Menopause. Menopausal women may also experience bitter taste and dry mouth. It may be resulted by low levels of estrogen in the body.
Temporary dry mouth may occur due to the thirst sensation, feeling of anxiety or stress.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
Common symptoms include:
- feeling of stickiness in the mouth;
- frequent thirst;
- mouth ulcers or cracked skin in the corners of the mouth
- chapped lips;
- feeling of dryness and sore throat;
- burning or tingling in the oral cavity, especially, on the tongue;
- dry and red tongue;
- speech difficulties;
- loss of taste;
- difficulty chewing and swallowing;
- hoarseness;
- dry nasal cavity;
- bad breath.
In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth increases the risk of gingivitis (gum disease), caries and oral infections, like thrush. Dry mouth may also make wearing dentures difficult.
How to treat dry mouth?
Treatment for dry mouth depends on the cause of the problem.
First, a disease, the symptoms of which may be dry mouth, should be defined.
Measures, preventing tooth decay and increasing saliva production are worth taking.
In case of taking certain medications, talk to your doctor. The doctor may adjust your dose or switch you to another medication that does not cause dry mouth.
Prevention of caries due to dry mouth
Saliva enables food digestion, chewing and swallowing, as well as enables natural mouth cleaning. Lack of saliva increases the risks of tooth decay and gum disease.
If you experience dry mouth, take the following oral hygiene routine:
- brush your teeth at least twice a day (preferably more often), after each meal and before going to bed;
- use toothpaste containing fluoride;
- visit a dentist for a check-up at least twice a year.
Increased salivation in case of dry mouth
If you experience dry mouth, your doctor may prescribe a mouthwash to restore moisture to your mouth. There are also toothpastes and moisturizing gels for patients, experiencing dry mouth.
If such remedies do not help, medication to increase saliva production may be prescribed.
New promising treatments are currently being studied. Scientists are working on ways to repair damaged salivary glands and developing an artificial salivary gland to be implanted.
What can dry mouth be eliminated?
Saliva flow can be improved by the following:
- Eating sugar-free candy or taking sugar-free chewing gum containing xylitol. Beware that sugar-free candy and gum may soften tooth enamel. Therefore, it is recommended to consume them in moderately.
- Try to avoid acidic foods such as lemon.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. Carry water with you to drink during the day and keep water by your bedside at night.
- Avoid mouth rinsing liquids containing alcohol or peroxide. These ingredients provoke increased dry mouth.
- Breathe through your nose, not mouth, as much as possible.
- Use a humidifier, especially at night, if the air in your bedroom is dry.
- Try eating liquid foods, such as soups, broths, dishes with gravy, etc.
- Avoid salty foods, dry foods (e.g. crackers, toast, biscuits, dry bread, dry meat/poultry/fish, dried fruit and bananas), and foods and drinks with high sugar content;
- Do not abuse alcoholic beverages and coffee. Alcohol increases water loss, causing frequent urination. Alcohol, as well as caffeine, causes dry mouth.
- Smoking also causes dry mouth. It should be given up.
What doctor can help you in case of dry mouth?
If you experience dry mouth, especially, accompanied by other symptoms, you should see your family doctor, who will direct you to a relevant specialist.
If dry mouth causes problems with your teeth or gums, you should see a dentist.