About, Causes, Symptoms, Concerns & Treatment
Dry mouth is a condition where you aren’t producing enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. The scientific name for dry mouth is “xerostomia.” Certain medications can cause your mouth to be extremely dry.
There are several things that can cause dry mouth. A few of the most common causes include medications, diseases, medical treatments. Lifestyle, surgery, and dehydration. Prescription medication is one of the leading causes for dryness of the mouth. Specifically, allergy, cold, pain, diarrhea, and anxiety medication can cause severe mouth dryness. Sedatives and muscle relaxers are also medications that can cause dry mouth.
Another cause of dry mouth is infections and diseases. If you suffer from an infection, your body’s response may reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth, therefore causing you to have mouth dryness. Diseases such as HIV/AIDS, anemia, arthritis, diabetes, and cystic fibrosis can all cause chronic mouth dryness.
Dehydration is one of the leading causes of dry mouth. Not drinking enough water and getting adequate nutrients can lead to this condition. It is important to note that conditions such as excessive sweating, high fever, blood loss, vomiting, and diarrhea can all cause severe dehydration leading to mouth dryness.
Some other causes of dry mouth include your overall lifestyle and habits. Smoking, nerve damage, and overall health can contribute to mouth dryness.
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Saliva plays an important role in your body. It helps to limit and control the amount of bacterial growth in your mouth. Tooth decay is prevented by the acids in your saliva. Chewing, swallowing, and digestion is made easier with saliva. Your saliva contains important enzymes that aid in the process of digestion.
Symptoms may vary according to the individual, but there a few common symptoms that include frequent thirst and bad breath. Due to the lack of saliva, other symptoms include hoarseness, a dry tongue, a burning sensation in your mouth, cracked lips, and trouble tasting.
Dry mouth symptoms can be as severe as affecting the way you speak and problems chewing. Some people may feel a dry and itching sensation in the back of their throat. Sores may appear in your mouth because of dryness.
If you suffer from dry mouth, there can also be health risks associated with the condition. Tooth decay may result from prolonged dryness of the mouth. Your teeth depend on the acid and enzymes produced by your saliva and in the absence of these nutrients, your teeth can be in danger of decaying. Also, gum disease is another potential health risk of an overly dry mouth. Thrush and mouth sores are possible if this condition goes untreated.
Once you determine you have dry mouth, there are immediate steps you should take. First, always consult a physician to determine your diagnosis and receive a care plan to treat the problem. When treating mouth dryness, the first step is usually figuring out the cause. In this case, the management of diseases or medical conditions is pertinent. Because certain diseases and illnesses can cause excessive mouth dryness this is the first step. The management of diseases can help to reduce or eliminate mouth dryness.
Next, the focus is on preventing other problems from arising like gingivitis and tooth decay. To help with this process, the best treatment is to help increase the production of saliva. Ultimately, this can either eliminate your symptoms or help alleviate them. Adjusting the dose and frequency of some medications can help reduce dry mouth.
Some treatments can include simple changes in your everyday routine. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day can help reduce mouth dryness. Also, using toothpaste that contain the ingredient Fluoride can prevent dryness. Don’t forget to floss! Flossing helps to remove left over food and bacteria that can further contribute to mouth dryness. Visit the dentist at least twice a year for a full cleaning.
Sometimes, dry mouth is unavoidable. In this case, here are a few tips to help you manage:
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