A dry mouth occurs when the glands that produce saliva in the oral cavity do not sufficiently produce it. Often, this condition results from severe dehydration, which means a lack of body fluids in the body. This condition usually results in a dry mouth problem, and the lack of fluids can also result in other health problems.
DRY MOUTH: What is dry mouth? | Causes of dry mouth | Symptoms | Medical assistance | DRY MOUTH TREATMENT | HEALTH at home | Sjögren's syndrome | Questions and Answers | Sources/references
A dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition in which your salivary glands fail to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. A common cause of dry mouth is a side effect of medication, aging-related medical conditions, or the result of cancer treatment combined with radiation. Less often, the disorder of dry mouth can be the result of directly affected salivary glands.
Video content: Dry mouth - causes and treatment of xerostomia (dry mouth)
By neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria, inhibiting bacterial growth, and washing away food particles, saliva helps prevent tooth decay. In addition, saliva improves taste perception and facilitates chewing and swallowing. Saliva also contains enzymes that help with digestion, so its presence in the oral cavity in sufficient quantities is crucial.
Decreased saliva production and dry mouth can significantly impact your overall health, your teeth and gums, your appetite, and, consequently, your enjoyment of eating. The treatment of dry mouth often depends on the cause.
It's normal to experience dry mouth from time to time if you're dehydrated or nervous, but persistent dry mouth can be a sign of a more serious health problem. If you have had a parched mouth for a long time, you should consult a dentist or general practitioner to determine the cause of this problem.
What can cause dry mouth?
Dehydration is a common cause of dry mouth because it prevents the body from producing the necessary amount of saliva.
There are several underlying problems or medical conditions that can contribute to dry mouth, including:
- Medications – dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter medications; the biggest problem is often medications for depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds (used antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (some bronchodilators) and Parkinson's disease. A dry mouth can also be a side effect of using muscle relaxants and sedatives.
- Blocked nose – breathing through the mouth during sleep usually causes the oral cavity to dry.
Video content: what causes dry mouth?
- Diabetes – diabetes or diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar levels to be too high.
- Radiotherapy of the head and neck - intense radiation for cancer can cause inflammation of the salivary glands (mucositis).
- Dehydration - conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns, can cause dry mouth.
- Nerve damage - dry mouth can result from nerve damage in the head and neck due to physical trauma or surgery.
- Side effects of certain diseases and infections - dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.
Symptoms - dry mouth can cause various problems
Saliva is needed to keep your mouth healthy.
Maintaining good oral hygiene if you have a dry mouth is essential to reduce the risk of dental problems. Also, visit the dentist regularly so he can identify and treat any problems early.
If you have a dry mouth, you may also face various additional problems, such as:
- burning sensation or pain in the mouth
- dry lip
- bad breath (halitosis)
- diminished or altered sense of taste
- recurrent oral infections such as canker sores
- tooth decay and gum disease
- problems with speaking, eating, or swallowing
A visit to the doctor
A visit to a personal doctor makes sense when you are faced with a long-lasting problem of dry mouth. If you suffer from long-lasting xerostomia, this is undoubtedly a reason to seek medical help as soon as possible - dry mouth can result from another disease, so early diagnosis is crucial.
DRY MOUTH TREATMENT
If your doctor or dentist can identify and treat the source of your dry mouth, your symptoms may improve.
Video Content: Facts and Treatment of Dry Mouth
If a medication is suspected of causing dry mouth, your doctor may reduce your dose or advise you to try a different medication.
How can you help yourself?
There are simple steps you can take to help keep your mouth moist:
- Increase fluid intake - regularly drink cold water or unsweetened beverages
Video content: how to help yourself when you have a dry mouth?
- chew sugar-free gum – this tends to stimulate the salivary glands to produce more saliva
- lick the ice cubes – the ice will slowly melt and moisten your mouth
Video content: how do you solve the problem of dry mouth and dry lips as soon as you wake up?
- Avoid alcohol (including alcohol-based mouthwashes), caffeine, and smoking - these worsen dry mouth.
Saliva substitutes and stimulants
If the above measures do not help, your dentist, general practitioner, or specialist may suggest using an artificial saliva substitute to keep your mouth moist. The product can be in the form of a spray, gel, or tablet. Use it as often as needed, including before and between meals.
If your dry mouth is caused by radiation therapy or Sjögren's syndrome, your specialist may prescribe pilocarpine medicine. However, the mentioned medicine is unsuitable for everyone, as it can cause side effects such as sweating or headaches.
Sjögren's syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its tissue cells. The main symptoms of this disease are dry mouth and eyes and consequent fatigue, pain in the joints (rheumatoid arthritis) and muscles, and lupus.
Sjögren's syndrome can cause several complications, including visible burnout, rheumatoid arthritis, chest pain, respiratory problems, and vaginal dryness.
Video content: Sjögren's syndrome - signs and symptoms
Treatment of Sjögren's syndrome is often complicated, as it is necessary to adjust the therapy according to the observed symptoms and individual needs. Drug treatment may include medications that help relieve dryness of the mucous membranes and help control the immune system.
More appropriate food can also help alleviate symptoms, so it is recommended that people suffering from this disease choose food that is rich in vitamins and minerals. In addition, physical exercise can help relieve pain and fatigue in the body and help improve general well-being.
Therapy to help with stress can help you deal with the daily challenges and stress you experience, which are widespread problems faced by patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
Lifestyle changes may also include staying in warmer climates, avoiding stressful situations, and maintaining regular and quality rest.
Questions and Answers
What are the common symptoms of dry mouth?
Dry mouth can be caused by certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, oral thrush, Alzheimer's disease, or autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome and HIV/AIDS.
Video content: what are the symptoms of blocked teeth in the mouth?
Snoring and open-mouth breathing can also contribute to dry mouth, as can regular smoking and drinking alcohol[1].
Why is my mouth so dry even if I drink water?
Some disorders and conditions can cause dry mouth, including anxiety, stress, depression, cancer treatment, and certain autoimmune disorders like Sjogren's syndrome, even if you drink enough fluids. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases also often cause dehydration, increasing the risk of dry mouth[2].
Does the problem of dry mouth disappear over time?
Once treatment for this type of problem is complete, dry mouth usually disappears. However, conditions that affect the salivary glands and cause dry mouth, such as Sjögren's syndrome, are usually lifelong. Therefore, everyone can experience dry mouth from time to time. If your mouth is too dry, it may be time to seek medical attention[3].
Is there a deficiency of a particular vitamin/mineral that can cause excessive dry mouth?
A lack of vitamin A or riboflavin, in particular, can cause excessive mouth dryness. Although the condition is rare, in the case of a severe lack of this vitamin, it is necessary to approach the problem more seriously and solve it within the framework of medical care under the supervision of a doctor.
Sources and references
Source: Family Health Guide. Conventional and alternative treatment, Dr. Jajo Lajovic, Publishing House Mladinska knjiga
1. Dry mouth - https://www.mayoclinic.org
2. Why is My Mouth So Dry? Get Answers from Penn Dental Family Practice - https://mypenndentist.org
3. How long does dry mouth last? - https://www.sharecare.com
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