Treating
dry mouth
Does your mouth feel raw, sore or overly dry? Do you worry about eating, fearful that you
may choke? Do you drink plenty of water but
still feel like your mouth is frequently dry?
You may be suffering from chronic dry mouth.
What is chronic dry mouth?
Dry
mouth, commonly called xerostomia, comes from not having enough saliva. Saliva assists in chewing, tasting and
swallowing food.[1] Saliva helps to protect the tissue in the
mouth from bacterial, viral and other infections. It can also protect against everyday trauma
that can contribute to ulcers and other mouth sores.[2] Dry mouth symptoms
You may feel like your mouth is sticky making it hard to talk, swallow, taste or chew. You may experience frequent thirst that seems to linger even after drinking. You may have a burning sensation or you might experience mouth sores, a raw red dry tongue, or splitting at the corners of the mouth. You may be battling bad breath which frequently accompanies dry mouth.[3] Why should you be concerned about dry mouth? Dry mouth can affect the health of your mouth as well as the annoying symptoms previously discussed. It can increase the chance of acquiring gum disease such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay (Cavities) and can lead to other mouth infections such as an oral yeast infection called thrush. Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.[4]
What
causes dry mouth?
Dry
mouth can be caused by a variety of reasons.
One of the most common causes of dry mouth is related to the body’s response
or reaction to specific medications.
Several medications that can contribute to
dry mouth are: “blood pressure medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and many
others”[5]
Other causes of dry mouth include: dehydration, mouth breathing
and sleep apnea, stress, anxiety and depression, diabetes, eating disorders,
and other diseases such as SjÖgren’s syndrome, lupus,
and rheumatoid arthritis.[6]
If you think that one or more of your medications may be contributing to dry
mouth, consult your prescribing physician to discuss alternative treatment or
alternative medications that may be used.
How to treat dry mouth
As stated above; if you
think that one or more of your medications may be contributing to dry mouth,
consult your prescribing physician to discuss alternative treatment or
alternative medications that may be used.
Other treatments for dry mouth can include drinking more water, over the
counter mints and gums, and over the counter products that stimulate saliva
such as: Biotene, Caphosol, and Aquoral.[7] For some medical conditions your physician
may prescribe a medication that increases saliva production called, pilocarpine
hydrochloride or Salagen [8]
A supplemental topical fluoride may be recommended to decrease the risk of
cavities. Visit your dental care
professional on a regular basis they can assist you in diminishing irritating
symptoms, help keep your gingival tissue healthy and screening for unwanted
dental disease. 