Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) - The Facts

Dry mouth occurs when the saliva glands stop producing enough saliva . Dry mouth is a very common problem as it can be caused by stress. Its very important to go to your dentist or doctor is you have a constant dry mouth as it can be sign of other diseases.

Saliva plays a vital role for many reasons. It helps us to talk, chew, taste, swallow and digest our food. Saliva controls the bacteria in our mouths so lack of it would increase the likelihood of infection. Saliva also protects our teeth from decay, so having a dry mouth can cause many complications.

Symptoms of dry mouth are:

Thick saliva - the feeling of not being able to swallow or talk properly due to sticky saliva.
Rough tongue
Dry feeling in the throat as well as the mouth.
Burning sensation in the mouth - sensitivity to salty or spicy foods.
Bad breath
Mouth sores
Cracked lips
Dry, red, raw tongue
Difficulty wearing dentures
Unusual thirst

Causes of dry mouth are:

A side effect of other medication such as diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants and muscle relaxants.
Stress.
Alcohol abuse.
Depression.
Cancer treatment such as radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Sarcoidosis - the inflammation of body tissue.
Nerve damage.
Rheumatoid conditions.
Hormonal disorders such as diabetes.
Neurological disorders such as parkinsons disease.
Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren's syndrome.
Dysfunctional immune system such as AIDs.
Hypothyroidism - below normal thyroid hormone production.

Treatment of dry mouth depends on the cause, doing the following will help if you suffer from dry mouth...

If the cause of your dry mouth is a side effect of medication then alternative drugs may be prescribed or a lower dosage.
Cevemeline or pilocarpine may be prescribed to stimulate saliva production.
Use a humidifier.
Chew sugar free gum or suck on suger free sweets.
Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine drinks.
Don't smoke tobacco or drink alcohol.
Breathe through your nose and not your mouth as much as possible.
Use a tongue scraper.
Brush and floss thoroughly and regularly to avoid a build up of plaque which leads to tooth decay.

It is important you see your dentist regularly if you have dry mouth as tooth decay is far more likely to occur if there is no saliva to control the bacteria in the mouth.

Dental Procedures Explained

Toothache Article

Bad Breath Article

Tooth Sensitivity Article

Mouth Ulcers Article

Teeth Grinding Article

Gingivitis (Gum Disease) Article