Dry Mouth - Sign and symptoms, common causes and ways to relieve dry mouth
With regular saliva production, your teeth are constantly bathed in a mineral-rich solution that helps keep your teeth strong and resistant to decay. While saliva is essential for maintaining oral health and quality of life, at least 25 million North Americans have inadequate salivary flow or composition, and lack the cleansing and protective functions provided by this important fluid. Each day, a healthy adult normally produces around one-and-a-half liters of saliva, making it easier to talk, swallow, taste, digest food and perform other important functions that often go unnoticed. Those not producing adequate saliva may experience some common symptoms of dry mouth.
Signs and Symptoms
At some point, most people will experience the short-term sensation of oral dryness because of nervousness, stress or just being upset. This is normal and does not have any long-term consequences. But chronic cases of dry mouth persist for longer periods of time. Common symptoms include trouble eating, speaking and chewing, burning sensations, or a frequent need to sip water while eating.
Dry mouth becomes a problem when symptoms occur all or most of the time and can cause serious problems for your oral health. Drying irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, which can make them inflamed and more susceptible to infection.
Without the cleansing and shielding effects of adequate saliva flow, tooth decay and periodontal (gum) disease become much more common. Constant dryness and the lack of protection provided by saliva may contribute to bad breath. Dry mouth can make full dentures become less comfortable to wear because there is no thin film of saliva to help them adhere properly to oral tissues. Insufficient saliva can also result in painful denture sores, dry and cracked lips, and increased risks of oral infection.
Common Causes
Once considered an inevitable part of aging, dry mouth is now commonly associated with certain medications and autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Both of these can reduce salivary production or alter its composition, but experts agree that the primary cause of dry mouth is the use of medications.Radiation treatment for head and neck cancer is also an important cause of severe dry mouth. The treatment can produce significant damage to the salivary glands, resulting in diminished saliva production and extreme dry mouth in many cases.
Saliva plays an important role in maintaining oral health. With decreased saliva flow, we can see an increase in plaque accumulation and the incidence and severity of periodontal diseases.
- Dry mouth
How to Relieve Dry Mouth
Individuals with dry mouth should have regular dental checkups for evaluation and treatment. Be sure to carry an up-to-date medication list at all times, and tell us what medications you are taking and other information about your health at each appointment. Since dry mouth could be caused due to various reasons, the underlying cause must be identified first. If dryness is caused due to a medical condition, then treating that underlying disease will surely help. If the use of any drug is causing dry mouth, then it must be replaced. If your mouth feels very dry and you are having a tough time swallowing food, you could use artificial saliva substitutes. Also, make sure that you keep yourself well-hydrated at all times. Though drinking water cannot be called a complete cure for dry mouth syndrome, intake of water and other fluids can surely provide relief. Certain drugs can also be used for stimulating the salivary glands. Chewing sugar free gum is one of the common dry mouth remedies. Not only is dry mouth a discomforting and annoying condition, it can also make one prone to developing dental problems. If you are suffering from this condition, you must pay attention to the aspect of dental health. You can use toothpastes, mouthwashes or sprays that are specifically meant for those who are suffering from this condition. Alcohol can aggravate this problem, therefore, make sure that you don't use an alcohol-based mouthwash. One must refrain from consumption of caffeinated drinks, alcohol or tobacco.If you have dry mouth you have to be extra attentive to your personal dental routine. Please ask us for tips on how to make your condition more comfortable, and keep your teeth and mouth healthy. If you have dry mouth problems contact us to schedule your first appointment.