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Dry Mouth - An Overview

Dry mouth occurs when there is an inadequate amount of saliva being produced by the saliva glands in the mouth. This lack of saliva causes the entire mouth to feel dry and sore. Inadequate saliva production may occur when a person is under excessive stress or nervous conditions and usually disappears once the pressure is gone. However, there are other causes of dry mouth in which the symptoms are present for prolonged amounts of time - besides being extremely uncomfortable, prolonged dry mouth can lead to other diseases and health problems. This is because saliva plays an important role in oral health: it protects against tooth decay, aids in food digestion both in mouth (chewing and swallowing) and the stomach, and controls the level of fungi and bacteria present in the mouth. Besides being extremely uncomfortable and unhealthy, dry mouth can sometimes signal the onset of certain diseases.

Dry Mouth Causes

As mentioned, there are glands in mouth that produce saliva and keep the mouth wet. The condition of dry mouth occurs when these saliva producing glands diminish or completely producing saliva. This can happen for many reasons. Dry mouth as a side effect of certain medications is quite common. There are at least 400 medications that affect the salivary glands and their production of saliva. Prescription medications for treating depression and hypertension are some of the more common of these.

Besides medication side effects, there are certain diseases that can cause severe dry mouth such as AIDS, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and most commonly Sjogren's syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome is an incurable autoimmune disorder that is very common among older people. Caused by viral infection or genetic factors, Sjogren's syndrome directly affects the saliva glands, causing them to produce less saliva.

Radiation therapy for cancers and cancerous tumors is another leading cause of dry mouth. When a patient undergoes radiation therapy, their salivary glands are exposed to radiation which can have many effects including reduction in the production of enough saliva, resulting in dry mouth.

Chemotherapy, the use of drugs to treat cancer, also causes dry mouth. In this case, the treatment actually thickens the saliva, inhibiting the saliva glands from getting enough saliva to the mouth and decreasing the moisturizing properties of the saliva as a whole.

Damage to nerves in the mouth and throat can also affect the function of salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth. Accidents involving trauma to the mouth and throat and certain surgeries can damage the nerves of the mouth and throat.

Dry Mouth Symptoms

As the name suggests, dry mouth causes a sticky or dry feeling in the mouth, sometimes called ‘cottonmouth'. Besides being extremely uncomfortable, other common symptoms of dry mouth include difficulty speaking, difficulty chewing and swallowing, and loss of the sense of taste. Other symptoms include a dry and rough tongue and burning of the mouth and throat. Mouth sores or infections in the mouth, chronic hoarseness and cracked lips are some other more painful and potentially dangerous symptoms of dry mouth.

Dry Mouth Complications

Dry mouth or lack of saliva can cause various complications. Because swallowing becomes very difficult, sufferers may often ‘choke' as food flows down the esophagus and may constantly need to drink water while eating. Because saliva aids in proper digestion, digestive disorders can arise as a result of chronic dry mouth. Eating dry foods becomes almost impossible. Since saliva controls the bacteria and fungi in your mouth, dry mouth can significantly increase chances of tooth decay and infection in mouth - leading to other complications. In some cases, dry mouth can also be a sign of serious health problems and diseases. Speaking to your doctor about dry mouth is always recommended.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing dry mouth is relatively easy as the symptoms are self revealing. As mentioned above, seeing a doctor is recommended. The doctor may check your salivary glands for production volume and ask about any medications you are on. Your medical history may also have information as to the cause of your dry mouth. The doctor may also take blood tests or check for joint inflammation and dry eyes which are indicators of Sjogren's syndrome. In some cases, a lip biopsy will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Dry mouth can be easily treated or cured if it is not caused by Sjogren's syndrome. Temporary dry mouth can be eradicated if mouth infection is causing the dry mouth simply by curing the infection. Giving up medicines that cause dry mouth is another way of curing or reducing dry mouth. Frequent drinking of liquids, using mouth rinses or chewing sugarless chewing gums are some other ways to treat a dry mouth condition. Artificial saliva sprays are available that moisten the mouth and increase saliva production. A medicine called Pilocarpine has been found to be instrumental in stimulating salivary glands to produce enough saliva. Thus, there are four main treatments of dry mouth: changing of medications which may be causing dry mouth as a side effect; taking prescription or over the counter medicine that cures anomalies in the salivary glands; artificial saliva and other saliva producing aids; home remedies and treatments. Home remedies and treatments can be used as part of your daily routine, simultaneously reducing or curing dry mouth and also protecting yourself from infection, tooth decay or excessive discomfort.

1. Gently brush teeth at least two times a day, use toothpaste with high fluoride content.
2. Floss regularly.
3. Drink water or sugar free liquids with every meal.
4. Chew mint flavored candy, cinnamon or citrus products which may stimulate salivary glands.
5. Use humidifier, especially if your dry mouth worsens at night.

Articles on Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry Mouth - An Overview
Dry Mouth Treatments
Dry Mouth Causes and Symptoms
Dry Mouth Complications
Dry Mouth and Sjogren's
Dry Mouth and Cancer Therapy (chemotherapy)
Dry Mouth and Prescription Drugs

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Dry Mouth - An Overview

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