What Do I Need To Know About Dry Mouth? - Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while - if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems. It can also be a sign of certain diseases and conditions. Dry Mouth affects up to 1 in every 4 adults.
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) ... is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. There are things you can do to get relief.
- can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking
- can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other infections in the mouth
- can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments
Symptoms Include:
- a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
- trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
- a burning feeling in the mouth
- a dry feeling in the throat
- cracked lips
- a dry, rough tongue
- mouth sores
- an infection in the mouth
- bad breath
Why Is Saliva So Important? - Saliva does more than just keep the mouth wet. It helps us digest food properly. Without enough saliva you can develop tooth decay or other infections in the mouth. You also may not get the nutrients you need if you cannot chew and swallow certain foods.
What Causes Dry Mouth? - People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why these glands (called salivary glands) might not work right.
- Side effects of some medications - More than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and depression often cause dry mouth.
- Disease - some diseases affect the salivary glands. For example, Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes can all cause dry mouth
- Radiation therapy - the salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.
- Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry
- Nerve Damage - injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva
What Can Be Done About Dry Mouth? - Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. They can try to determine what is causing your dry mouth.
- If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust your dosage
- If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your physician or dentist might give you medicine that helps the glands work better
- Your physician or dentist might suggest you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet
- Sip water or sugarless drinks often
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Sip water or sugarless drinks during meals. This will make chewing and swallowing easier. If may also improve the taste of food.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate saliva flow; citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored candies are good choices - Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that helps kill unwanted bacteria in the mouth
- Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth.
- Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in dry mouths
- Use a humidifier at night.
Tips For Keeping Your Teeth Healthy
- Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss your teeth every day
- Use toothpaste with fluoride in it
- Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year. You dentist might give you a special fluoride solution that you can rinse with to help keep your teeth healthy
-National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research