Dry Mouth

by Dr. Gilda Pronych

Many people believe dry mouth is a normal part of aging and a condition that only affects older adults. However, dry mouth is not a normal part of aging and can affect anyone. Most people at one time or another have experienced dry mouth, whether it is while being upset, nervous or under stress. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), an estimated 10 percent of the general population experiences persistent oral dryness and dry mouth is becoming one of the fastest-growing oral health problems.

Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth wet. The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah) and common names for the condition include pasties and cottonmouth. Dry mouth can cause trouble speaking, swallowing, chewing, tasting and wearing dentures. It also can increase your chance of developing halitosis (bad or sour smelling breath), dental decay and other infections in your mouth.

What causes dry mouth?

Dry mouth occurs when glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Several reasons why these glands (salivary glands) might not work correctly include:

• More than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva and have dry mouth as a side effect, especially those used to treat high blood pressure and depression. (ADA)
• Another cause is diseases that affect salivary glands. These diseases include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome.
• Dry mouth can also be caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy or injury to the head or neck. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.

How is dry mouth treated?

If dry mouth is caused by medication, your dentist or physician can try to determine the cause and may change medication or adjust the dosage. For more severe cases, there are prescription medications that help increase salivary flow. However, these medications have their own side effects and the benefit needs to outweigh the risk.
Most often, over-the-counter saliva substitutes or artificial saliva are used to keep your mouth wet. These come in products ranging from gums, to gels, to mouthrinses.

What are some lifestyle changes you can make to manage dry mouth?

• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages and smoking, as these can all dry out the mouth.
• Sip water during the day.
• Use sugarless gum or candy to stimulate saliva flow.
• Use a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home, especially at night.
• Use adhesive to keep dentures secured.
• Take extra care of your mouth and keep it healthy by brushing and flossing daily, using fluoride toothpaste, limiting sugar in your diet and visiting your dental care provider regularly.

Without being properly treated, dry mouth can lead to more serious dry mouth symptoms such as gum disease and cavities. If you believe you may be suffering from dry mouth, consult your dentist.