Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. It is a condition that the salivary glands in the mouth do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. Saliva in the mouth is important to prevent tooth decay, cleanse away food particles, and enhance the ability to taste, chew, swallow and speak. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of medications, aging issues, result of cancer treatment or other health conditions. Treatment of dry mouth depends on the cause of the condition. If you have dry mouth persistently, consult with your physician and/or dentist to find out how the condition can be treated and managed.
What causes dry mouth? Many things can cause dry mouth.
- Medications: prescription drugs or over the counter drugs
- Prescriptions drugs to treat depression, high blood pressure, anxiety and others;
- Over the counter drugs to treat allergy, common colds, and pain.
- Aging: Many older people experience dry mouth as they age. 30% patients older than 65 years and up to 40% of patients older than 80 years.
- Changes in the body’s ability to process medication;
- Inadequate nutrition;
- Long-term health problems.
- Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature of saliva and the amount of saliva produced;
- Radiation treatments can damage the salivary glands and cause a reduction in saliva production;
- Temporary or permanent, depending on the radiation dose and area treated.
- Other Health Conditions: dry mouth can be due to health conditions.
- Diabetes;
- Stroke;
- Yeast infection (thrush) in the mouth;
- Alzheimer’s disease;
- Sjogren’s syndrome;
- HIV/AIDS and others.
- Drinking alcohol, beverages with caffeine;
- Using tobacco products;
- Eating salty or spicy foods;
- Mouth breathing.
Signs and symptoms of dry mouth
- Dryness or a feeling of stickiness in the mouth;
- Saliva that seems thick and stringy;
- Lipstick sticking to the teeth;
- Bad breath;
- Difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing;
- Dry or sore throat and hoarseness;
- Dry or grooved tongue;
- A changed sense of taste;
- Problems wearing dentures.
Dry mouth can cause the following oral health problems:
- Tooth decay;
- Mouth sores;
- Chapped or cracked lips;
- Bad breath;
- A sore tongue or throat;
- Trouble chewing, speaking, or swallowing;
- Ill-fitting dentures that can slip, rub and cause mouth sores.
What can you do to feel better? Some of the things you can do to relieve the discomfort of dry mouth:
- Sip water or sugarless drinks;
- Suck on ice chips;
- Apply lanolin-based lip balm often;
- Use sugar free chewing gum to stimulate saliva production;
- Use alcohol free mouth rinse;
- Use a humidifier at night
- Avoid salty or spicy foods;
- Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages;
- Avoid tobacco products.
What can you do to keep your mouth healthy?
- Good oral hygiene: brush your teeth 2 times daily with tooth paste that contains fluoride and flossing daily;
- Visit your dentist regularly, every 3, 4, or 6 months.
Your dentist can help you find the cause of the problem, develop a plan to manage the symptoms of dry mouth and keep your mouth healthy.
Dr. Anna Lee is a general and cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA. She is experienced in all phases of dentistry. If you have persistent signs and symptoms of dry mouth, make an appointment with Dr. Anna Lee. Dry mouth can lead to oral health problems like tooth decay or mouth sores. Call our office for an appointment at 626-335-5114 or visit us at www.annaleedds.com