Do you wake up with a sticky mouth in the morning? Are you frequently thirsty? Do you often have to deal with mouth sores? Dry throat? Foul breath? Red tongue? Split mouth corners and chapped lips? If you’ve experienced all or any of these, there’s a high probability that you have xerostomia or dry mouth.
Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is a condition in which you don’t make enough saliva in your mouth that it gets dry and uncomfortable. It might not seem like a big deal, but saliva plays a huge role in digesting food and preventing bacterial and fungal growth in the mouth.
If you have experienced xerostomia, you know exactly how hard it is to eat or talk while dealing with this condition. The good news is there are dental professionals who are ready to assist you and help you deal with this frustrating situation.
What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth or xerostomia is more a symptom rather than a condition. It happens when the salivary glands, the group of organs responsible for secreting watery fluid, don’t make enough saliva to keep moisture inside the mouth. Aside from keeping the mouth wet, saliva is important for many reasons, including:
- Preventing bad breath or halitosis
- Protecting teeth against cavities and other dental diseases
- Aiding food digestion, specifically for chewing and swallowing
- Strengthening the enamel with minerals
- Limiting bacterial and fungal growth
If the mouth doesn’t have enough saliva, dry mouth causes:
- Stickiness or dryness of the mouth
- Difficulty tasting and digesting food
- Sore throat and dry nasal passage
- Chapped or cracked lips
- Frequent desire to drink water
- Soreness or split at the corner of the mouth
- Tingling or burning sensation on the tongue
- Sore or raw tongue
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Saliva is produced by three salivary glands: the submandibular glands, the parotid glands, and the lingual glands. So what causes dry mouth?
Hyposalivation, a situation of reduced saliva production, is caused by various reasons affecting the proper function of these organs. In most cases, trauma-induced at the salivary glands leading to dry mouth is caused by factors, such as:
1. Side Effects of Medication
Certain medications, may they be over-the-counter pills or prescription drugs, may affect dental health and cause xerostomia. Some types of medication include anti-depressants, antihistamines, and decongestants. Dry mouth can also be a side effect of treatments for:
- Epilepsy
- Hypertension
- Asthma
- Acne
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Muscle tension
- Joint pain
If your medication is increasing the severity of your dental condition, it’s important to consult your doctor or ask help from a dry mouth dentist or specialist. They may adjust the dosage of your medication or recommend using other drugs that will not cause serious side effects.
2. Side Effects of Medical Procedures
Damage to the salivary glands can also stem from medical procedures, such as chemotherapy. The radiation that comes from this treatment may affect saliva production. Depending on the amount of radiation the body is exposed to, dry mouth can be a temporary or a permanent side effect.
3. Side Effects of Diseases and Infections
The effect of certain medical conditions can be a contributing factor to what causes dry mouth. Health conditions and infections that can affect saliva production include:
- Anemia
- Diabetes
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- HIV/AIDS
When the salivary glands are damaged because of these conditions, recommended treatments are often focused on increasing the production and regulating the flow of saliva in the mouth.
4. Effects of Aging
Dry mouth is a common problem in older adults. Some of the factors that may cause xerostomia among the elderly include: inadequate nutrition, chronic health problems, certain medications and changes in the way the body processes medication.
5. Injury of the Nerve
The cholinergic parasympathetic nerve is responsible for the stimulation of the salivary glands. Like other nerves, it is fragile and can easily be injured. Nerve injuries may prevent muscles from working properly. Surgery on the neck and head can sometimes damage the nerves traveling to the salivary glands, preventing them from producing saliva and causing dry mouth.
6. Smoking and Alcohol
The lifestyle of drinking alcohol combined with smoking can exacerbate the already dry and sticky mouth. It’s common knowledge that smoking and chewing tobacco can increase the risks of tooth decay and gum infection. Alcohol is a diuretic that increases dehydration. Nicotine in tobacco reduces the flow of saliva and can therefore aggravate mouth dryness.
Why Treat Dry Mouth?
The effects of dry mouth might be a minor inconvenience, but if not managed early, it can result in several major issues.
Saliva helps in keeping your mouth healthy and free from cavities by washing off the food you eat and protecting your tooth enamel. Serious manifestations of not having enough saliva in the mouth include:
- Increased risk of plaque build-up, cavities, and periodontitis or gum infection
- Lesions on the tissue of the mouth or the base of the gums
- Thrush or yeast infection in the mouth
- Sore or split skin at the corners of the mouth
- Poor diet due to difficulty in eating and digesting food
What Can a Dentist Do About Dry Mouth?
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine, 65% of the US population experiences xerostomia. Most of these patients consider this sensation a normal part of life and tend to deal with it without seeking professional help from a dental health provider.
However, dry mouth causes carry consequences that only dentists and dental hygienists can handle. They are trained to identify the presence of any dental conditions before patients experience symptoms.
While it can be challenging to make time and to schedule an appointment with a dry mouth dentist or specialist, this small sacrifice for your long-term health is one you’ll be thankful for in the future.
Aside from having years of training and experience in dealing with all kinds of dental conditions, dental professionals have access to the resources needed to determine the cause and treatment for your oral ailments.
So what can a dentist do about dry mouth?
Accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendation for dry mouth require the assessment of an individual’s dental condition, lifestyle, history, and existing symptoms. A reliable dry mouth dentist knows exactly what treatments and tests are needed to help you in dealing with this condition.
Aside from rinsing or spraying to restore the moisture in the mouth, there are also toothpastes, moisturizing gels, and mouthwashes designed for mouths that are dry. If these are not enough to relieve xerostomia, dental professionals may prescribe drugs that will stimulate the production of saliva in the mouth. Some of the prescription saliva substitutes include:
- Pilocarpine or Salagen
- Cevimeline or Evoxac
- NeutraSal (OraPharma)
- SalivaMax (Forward Science)
- Caphosol (EusaPharma)
Common Questions Asked by Dentists
When you attend a dental appointment, you may wonder why would a dentist ask about dry mouth when you’re visiting for another dental concern. This is because xerostomia is often associated with other underlying conditions.
To guide patients and ensure preventive measures before existing symptoms worsen, dentists will ask a series of questions that can help narrow down the potential risk factors and causes of serious dental conditions.
So if you’re wondering, “Why would a dentist ask about dry mouth?” make sure to provide honest answers when your dentist asks about these common questions:
- What prescription drug/s are you taking on a daily basis?
- What existing medical conditions do you have?
- What type of medical procedures have you undergone?
- Are you smoking or using tobacco?
- Are you drinking alcohol or caffeine?
- How much water do you drink every day?
Managing Dry Mouth Causes
The best method to prevent and manage xerostomia is to maintain good oral hygiene. Aside from brushing twice a day, rinsing with mouthwash, and flossing to prevent cavities and tooth decay, dentists may also recommend other methods that will promote the production of saliva in your mouth.
At-home methods to prevent or treat xerostomia include:
- Increase water consumption throughout the day. The trick is to carry a water bottle or a cup of water by your side.
- Limit the use of tobacco and reduce alcohol consumption. As much as possible, avoid caffeinated drinks, which can aggravate dry mouth.
- Drink water during and after every meal. Rinsing with water or mouthwash after eating can also help with relieving dry and sticky mouth.
- Turn on your vaporizer or humidifier before sleeping to avoid waking up with a dry and sticky mouth.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free candy, specifically ones containing xylitol, to stimulate saliva flow.
- Avoid salty, dry foods or drinking beverages with high sugar content.
- Apply a moisturizing balm to your lips.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. After meals, rinse your mouth with plain water or a mild rinse (8 ounces water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder).
- Use a fluoride toothpaste that contains at least 1350 to 1500ppm (parts/million) fluoride. Some products may contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, which can irritate dry mouths and worsen the condition.
While at-home remedies can help ease your condition, it’s always best to consult with your dentist and develop a comprehensive plan to treat dry mouth.
Talk to a Trusted Dentist
Prevent dental problems along the line.
Advanced Dental Group is here to connect you to trusted dentists in Cleveland, OH. We are more than happy to assist you with your concerns and provide you with information, so you can make informed choices about your dental health. Contact us today and make the most of your dental appointments.
