An abnormally dry mouth, often caused by medication. Dry mouth can have causes that are not due to an underlying disease. Examples include not drinking enough fluids, sleeping with your mouth open, hot dry weather, eating dry foods, or side effects of medications.
Dry mouth is also known as Xerostomia. It occurs when your mouth's salivary glands produce insufficient amounts of saliva. The mouth feels dry or dehydrated as a result of this condition. In addition, it may result in other symptoms like chapped lips, a dry throat, and bad breath.
An abnormally dry mouth, often caused by medication. Factors other than underlying diseases can cause dry mouth. Deficiencies in fluid intake, mouth opening while sleeping, dry food consumption, and drug side effects are a few examples.
Saliva is an important component of your digestive process. It helps moisten and break down food. It also works as a major defense mechanism to help your body maintain good oral health, protecting your mouth against gum disease and tooth decay.
Dry mouth is not a serious illness in itself. However, sometimes it is a symptom of another underlying medical condition that needs treatment. It can also cause complications like tooth decay.
What Causes Dry Mouth(xerostomia)?
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, can result from many different kinds of issues, such as:
Medication
Many prescription and over-the-counter medications cause dry mouth, including antihistamines, decongestants, hypertensive medications (for high blood pressure), antidiarrheals, muscle relaxants, incontinence medications urinary tract, certain medicines for Parkinson's disease, as well as a number of antidepressants.
Age
Although the dry mouth is not a natural part of aging, the elderly tend to take more medicines than the rest of the population. Many medicines taken by older people cause a dry mouth.
Cancer treatment
Radiation therapy to the head and neck can damage the salivary glands, which reduces the production of saliva. Chemotherapy can change the nature of saliva, as well as the amount produced by the body.
Injury or Surgery
This can lead to nerve damage to the head and neck and lead to a dry mouth.
Tobacco
Chewing or smoking tobacco increases the risk of dry mouth symptoms.
Dehydration
This is caused by not having enough fluids.
Exercise or play in the heat
The salivary glands may dry out as a result of bodily fluids concentrating in other areas of the body. Long-term play or exercise increases the risk of developing dry mouth symptoms.
Certain health problems, illnesses, and habits can cause a dry mouth, such as:
Strokes and Alzheimer's disease are most likely to cause a sensation of dry mouth, even if the salivary glands function properly.
Diagnosis
The doctor or dentist will probably examine the patient's mouth and review their medical history. Blood tests and salivary gland imaging scans may also be ordered.
Sialometry: This is a simple procedure that measures the flow of saliva. Collection devices are placed on the openings of the salivary gland ducts and the production of saliva is stimulated with citric acid.
Saliography: This is an x-ray examination of the salivary glands and ducts. It can be useful in identifying stones and salivary gland masses.
Biopsy: A small sample of saliva gland tissue is taken. Often used as a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. If a malignant tumor (cancer) is suspected, the doctor may also order a biopsy.
Many doctors report that often, even if the patient complains of a severe dry mouth, the oral mucosa appear s wet. Less frequently, the opposite may be the case: the oral mucosa appears dry, but the person is not complaining of symptoms of dry mouth.
Treatment
The treatment varies according to the cause of your dry mouth. Your doctor or dentist can:
Change the medications that cause dry mouth.
Recommend products to hydrate your mouth. Mouthwashes designed for dry mouth, especially those containing xylitol, may be effective, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oral or Act Dry Mouth Mouthwash, which also provides protection against tooth decay.
If you have severe dry mouth, your dentist may:
Prescribe medications that stimulate saliva. Your doctor may prescribe pilocarpine or cevimeline to stimulate the production of saliva.
Protect your teeth. To prevent cavities, your dentist may provide fluoride trays that you fill with fluoride and wear on your teeth at night. Your dentist may also recommend the use of a weekly chlorhexidine rinse to control cavities.
When to visit a Doctor?
See your doctor or dentist if you notice persistent signs of dry mouth. These include:
If you think the medications are causing your dry mouth, or if you notice other symptoms of an underlying condition, make an appointment with your doctor.
Your doctor may order blood tests and measure the amount of saliva you are making to help find out the cause of your dry mouth and suggest treatment options.
If you have a persistent dry mouth, it's also important to see your dentist to check for signs of tooth decay.
Effective Home Remedies for treating Dry Mouth:
In addition to your doctor's advice, these tips may help relieve your dry mouth symptoms:
Sip water or sugar-free drinks or suck on chunks of ice throughout the day to moisten your mouth and drink water with meals to help chew and swallow.
Chew sugarless gum or hard candy. Products containing xylitol can also help prevent cavities. However, in some people, xylitol, which is often found in sugarless gum or sugarless candy, can cause gas or diarrhea if consumed in large amounts.
Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes that contain xylitol, like Mouth Kote or Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray, or that contain carboxymethylcellulose or hydroxyethylcellulose, like Biotene Oral Balance Moisturizing Gel.
Breathe through your nose, not through your mouth. You may need to seek treatment for snoring if it makes you breathe through your mouth at night.
Add humidity to the air at night with a room humidifier.
Moisturize your lips to soothe dry or chapped areas.
Below is a list of products to avoid to prevent making your symptoms worse:
Caffeine and alcohol. These products can cause dryness and irritation. Do not use mouthwash containing alcohol.
Tobacco. If you smoke or chew tobacco, stop, as tobacco products can dry out and irritate your mouth.
Over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants. They can worsen your dry mouth.
Sweet or sour foods and candies. These increase the risk of tooth decay. Also, avoid spicy or salty foods as they can irritate.
Saliva is important for maintaining the health of your teeth and mouth.
By taking these measures to protect your teeth, you can also improve your dry mouth condition:
Brush with fluoride toothpaste and floss. Ask your dentist if you could take advantage of prescription fluoride toothpaste, toothpaste containing betaine, or dental gel to neutralize acidic bacteria.
Use a fluoride rinse or fluoride brush gel before bed.
Visit your dentist at least twice a year to have your teeth checked and plaque removed to prevent tooth decay.
Dry mouth can be a sign of various health problems, including:
.
Diabetes
Stroke
Yeast infection in the mouth
Alzheimer's disease
Autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's syndrome or HIV/AIDS
Snoring and breathing with an open mouth
Tobacco and alcohol consumption
2. Is dry mouth a serious problem?
Dry mouth is not a serious illness on its own. However, it can indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment. It may also lead to complications such as tooth decay.
3. Why is my mouth dry when I drink a lot of water?
A dry mouth can occur when the salivary glands in your mouth do not produce enough saliva, often due to dehydration. This means your body lacks the fluid necessary to produce saliva. Additionally, feeling anxious or nervous can contribute to a dry mouth.
4. Is dry mouth a sign of diabetes?
Dry mouth is a common symptom of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. While the exact reasons are not fully understood, high blood sugar levels could contribute to dry mouth in people with diabetes. Certain medications used to treat diabetes may also cause dry mouth.
5. What should I drink for a dry mouth?
Stay hydrated by taking frequent sips of fluid throughout the day, with water being the best option. Opt for sugar-free alternatives like gum, hard candy, lollipops, frozen fruit juices, and soft drinks to keep your mouth moist without promoting tooth decay.
