Have you ever noticed your mouth is dehydrated so much that you have to gulp tons of water to make it wet? This condition is called dry mouth syndrome. A dry mouth is when you don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. You may also experience dry mouth while feeling anxious or thirsty. It might seem like a normal thing but if it occurs frequently then it might be because of some underlying disease. The causes of dry mouth are dehydration, medication, infection, treatments and ageing.
What is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth, also known as Xerostomia, is a condition when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. It can be very uncomfortable and dry making chewing and swallowing hard. It can happen to anyone and anytime. Saliva, caused by the salivary gland is an integral part of oral health. It helps in keeping your mouth wet, breaking down food and washing away food from the teeth and gums. When saliva is not formed properly, you experience a dry mouth which can lead to several other oral health issues.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth seems like a common thing that can happen to anyone but there are many reasons why we experience a dry mouth. Causes of dry mouth are -
Dehydration- You can have a dry mouth when you are not drinking enough water to keep your mouth wet.
Medications- Taking medicine can dry your mouth. Medicines, specifically for, blood pressure, depression, anxiety, allergies, colds (antihistamines and decongestants), diarrhea, nausea, muscle relaxants and painkillers can cause dry mouth.
Breathing through your mouth- While breathing through your mouth, you can feel dryness as you are swallowing air which dries out the mouth.
Cancer Treatment- Chemotherapy can cause dryness in the mouth as it changes the nature of saliva production for time till the treatment is done. Radiation used over the head and neck during the treatment can damage the salivary gland limiting the production of saliva.
Ageing- With ageing, older people can experience dry mouth because of medication, several bodily changes and long-term health problems.
Nerve Damage- Nerve damage due to head or neck surgery can cause dry mouth by limiting the production of saliva.
Tobacco or alcohol use- Smoking, Chewing tobacco and alcohol intake can dry out your mouth. Marijuana can also cause dry mouth.
Other Health Problems- Several other health problems can be the causes of dry mouth such as diabetes, anaemia, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, stroke, yeast infection in the mouth, Alzheimer's disease, Sjogren syndrome or HIV/AIDS.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
The most common symptoms of Dry Mouth are -
- Dehydrated mouth
- Bad breath
- Lack of saliva
- A dry throat
- Frequent thirst
- Facing problems while chewing and swallowing
- A sticky feeling in the mouth
- A rough and dry tongue
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Dry and cracked lips
- Mouth Ulcer
- The higher tendency of tooth decay
- Frequent gum problems
Dry Mouth Diagnosis
Regular dental checkups can help in diagnosing the causes of dry mouth. To determine the cause, the dental professional will look at your medical history, medicines that you have been taking, and any medicine intake without consulting any doctor. They will check your entire mouth and might run some tests and scans to find out the production of saliva in your mouth. If the dental professional finds out some unusual things, they will take a cell from your salivary gland, this process is called biopsy. These tests and scanning will help find the cause of dry mouth.
How to Treat Dry Mouth?
Now that we have understood what is dry mouth and it’s causes and symptoms, let’s understand how to prevent it. There are many ways to treat or control dry mouth.
Hydration- Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Drink water before every meal and while taking any pills. Drinking enough water will help in the production of saliva which will also help in removing food debris from the gums. It also helps in combating bad breath.
Chew sugar-free gum- Chewing sugar-free gum or sugar-free candies helps in the flow of saliva.
Practice good oral healthcare- Regular brushing your teeth twice along with an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Reduce caffeine intake- Excessive consumption of caffeine regularly can dry out your mouth. You can reduce your consumption to avoid dry mouth.
Try saliva substitute- You can try Perfora’s Super Fresh Mouth Spray to control dry mouth.
Breathe through your nose- Try to consciously check yourself time-to-time. If you catch yourself breathing through your mouth, stop and start breathing through your nose. If you run a lot, you should inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth while runnning.
Brush with a SLS free Toothpastes- You should switch to using SLS-free toothpastes (if you haven't already). They not only help with dry mouth but are also effective for overall oral care.
Dental Checkups- If the issue of dry mouth persists frequently, you must visit your dentist and get it checked.
How can you prevent dry mouth?
Dry mouth is a situation where the salivary gland doesn't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. You can prevent dry mouth by:
- Water intake.
- Use a humidifier once or twice a day.
- A mouth spray and water bottle spray.
- Chewing sugarless gums, lozenges and candy.
- Eating a meal full of moisture.
- Avoiding carbonated beverages and alcohol.
- Use saliva substitutes.
- Limit caffeine intake.
- Add Vitamin A.
- Regular oral hygiene.
- Regular dental checkups.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is dry mouth?
Answer - Dry mouth is a condition where the salivary gland doesn't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.
2. Can dry mouth resolve itself?
Answer - Dry mouth is not a long-term health issue rather it is a temporary condition. One can control dry mouth by doing some home remedies such as water intake, avoiding caffeine, chewing sugarless candies or sucking ice cubes.
3. What deficiency causes dry mouth?
Answer - Dry mouth can be caused by a deficiency in Vitamin A, B12, Zinc, Riboflavin, and Vitamin D.
4. Why is my mouth still dry after drinking water?
Answer - It is because your salivary glands are not producing saliva. You can increase your water intake and also chew sugarless gums.
5. What is a quick cure for dry mouth?
Answer - Sipping water, chewing sugar-free candies, limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption, using saliva substitutes.