Dry mouth - causes and treatment

Xerostomia (pronounced zeer-oh-stoh-mee-ah), also known more commonly as dry mouth, is a condition where an individual does produce enough saliva in the mouth to keep it wet. It is also known as pasties and cottonmouth.  Dry mouth is a condition that can affect anyone at any age - and usually does. It is not a normal part of aging, or a condition experienced primarily by older adults, as many people believe. Most people will, at some point in their lives, experience dry mouth, and it particularly occurs when an individual is upset, nervous or stressed out. The American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that 10 percent of the general population in the United States experiences oral dryness on a regular basis. According to the ADA, dry mouth is one of the fastest-growing problems in the oral health field.

Symptoms and complications of not producing enough saliva and therefore experiencing dry mouth include trouble speaking, wearing dentures, swallowing, chewing, tasting, bad breath known as halitosis, dental decay and infections of the mouth. The glands in the mouth that make saliva may not function properly due to medications, diseases and medical conditions, and head and neck injuries. According the American Dental Association (ADA), over 400 medications can cause the glands that produce saliva to make less of it, resulting in dry mouth. This is particularly true of medications used to treat high blood pressure and depression. Medical treatments of chemotherapy and radiation therapy to eliminate cancers can decrease saliva production in the mouth as well. Diseases and conditions that cause the salivary glands to decrease production of saliva include diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV and AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome (all of which may potentially qualify and individual for social security disability benefits). Injuries to the neck and head have the potential to damage the nerves that send signals to the glands to produce the proper amount of saliva to keep the mouth wet.

Treatment of dry mouth is somewhat limited, but can be successful, especially when lifestyle changes are included. Determining with a dentist or physician which medications may be causing or contributing to dry mouth, and adjusting the dosage or changing the medication, can have positive results. For severe dry mouth there are prescription drug treatments that increase the production of saliva by the salivary glands. It is important to note that these medications have side effects and it should be carefully determined that the benefits outweigh the risks. There are also over-the-counter options, the most common choice among people with dry mouth. These include gums, gels and mouth rinses that act as saliva substitutes or artificial saliva to keep the mouth wet.

Lifestyle changes can successfully improve dry mouth. These changes include avoidance of caffeine and alcohol, as well as smoking, since all these activities can dry out the mouth. In addition, sipping water throughout the day can be helpful. Chewing sugarless gum, chewy candy, sucking on hard candy, and limiting the overall amount sugar in the diet can help increase the flow of saliva in the mouth. Increasing the level of humidity in the surrounding environment with a humidifier, especially while sleeping, can help with dry mouth. Finally, take extra care to employ good dental hygiene by brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily, as well as visit the dentist regularly.

Since dry mouth can cause complications and more serious symptoms, consult with your dentist if you think you have dry mouth in order to alleviate the condition as soon as possible.

I have to admit, before recently I had no idea that this condition existed. However, I am not surprised that it is on the rise since the incidence of it goes up with age. Also, I'm not surprised that it can be triggered by stress. So many things are, including skin conditions.