Dry mouth causes and treatment

07/03/2023
woman shows her tongue

What is dry mouth?

Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia,  is a very common problem that concerns a large part of the population. Although there are ways to relieve the symptoms, the best treatment involves identifying the factor that causes it and eliminating it.

Normally, mouth moisture is maintained with saliva’s help, which has many different actions, such as:

  • acid neutralization and tooth protection
  • food removal
  • facilitating swallowing
  • food digestion, through certain digestive enzymes it contains

 

Dry mouth symptoms

Dry mouth is caused when for some reason not enough saliva is produced in the oral cavity, resulting in a series of unwanted symptoms, such as:

  • Bad breath
  • Chapped lips
  • Dry mouth and throat/stiff mouth
  • Tooth cavities
  • Gum irritation
  • Difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing
  • Change in the taste of food
  • Denture problems

 

Dry mouth causes

Usually, it is the result (symptom) of a condition. Nocturnal dry mouth is also quite common, with many wondering why their mouth is dry during sleep. The usual causes are:

 

Dehydration

Perhaps the most common cause and corresponding symptom of this, is dehydration or conditions that lead to dehydration. Typical examples are sunbstroke, overtraining, sports in the heat, etc.

 

Age

Normally, with old age, the body’s ability to produce saliva gradually decreases, often resulting in dry mouth. Many times this is due to treatments that the elderly usually receive, but also to insufficient nutrition.

 

Elder man covers his mouth with his hands

Treatments

Dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications, such as antidepressants, anxiolytics, various neuropathy medications, antihistamines, antihypertensives, or certain analgesic medications. In these cases, dry mouth is not a permanent condition, but subsides after stopping the respective treatment.

 

Diseases

There are several diseases that can cause dry mouth, including:

  • Diabetes (polydipsia, but also dry mouth are typical examples)
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Depression
  • Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Cystic fibrosis

 

Nerve damage

Nerve damage or any injuries to the neck and head area (e.g. from a stroke, accident, surgery, etc.) can also lead to dry mouth.

 

Smoking & alcohol

Both dehydrate the body and especially the mouth, resulting in dry mouth.

 

Snoring

When we sleep with our mouth open or have nasal congestion, it is to be expected that we will feel our mouth dry during sleep.

 

Dry mouth in pregnancy

Quite often, this problem also occurs in pregnancy. This can be due to hormonal changes, dehydration, canker sores or stomatitis, difficulty sleeping or even gestational diabetes.

 

How to treat dry mouth

To relieve symptoms follow some of the following steps:

  • Chew sugar-free gum or candies to stimulate the production of saliva in the oral cavity. Choose products that contain xylitol.
  • Reduce caffeine, as it has been found to worsen dry mouth.
  • Reduce smoking.
  • Do not use mouthwashes containing alcohol.
  • Drink water often and in small sips.
  • Avoid overconsumption of antihistamines and decongestants, as they worsen dry mouth.
  • Breathe through the nose and not through the mouth.
  • Maintain the appropriate level of humidity in the room, using a humidifier if necessary.

 

Products for dry mouth

There are now several special products that increase saliva production, for example:

  • Toothpaste for dry mouth
  • Special mouthwashes
  • Dry mouth spray
  • Dry mouth gel

 

Herbs for dry mouth

Some of the most effective herbs that have been shown to provide a solution to the problem are:

  • Aloe vera (eg aloe gel or juice)
  • Ginger
  • Althea (Marshmallow root)
  • Spilanthes (mainly when canker sores, oral ulcers coexist)
  • Nopal cactus

Vitamins for dry mouth

Vitamins that have been shown to help with mucosal health are:

  • Vitamin A
  • B vitamins: mainly niacin (B3), riboflavin (B2) and biotin

At the same time, zinc appears to help with adequate saliva production and the prevention of oral problems, while iron deficiency can often lead to dry mouth, cracked tongue, chapped lips or cheilitis.

When to see the doctor

Consult a doctor or your dentist if:

  • You have difficulty chewing and swallowing
  • You also have dry eyes
  • You have canker sores or mouth ulcers
  • You think it is a side effect of a medication
  • You have bad breath that won’t go away
  • Your taste is affected
  • You notice an increase in dental plaque, or cavities/holes in the teeth
  • It does not go down with special products or natural solutions at home

At Vita4you.gr you can find a wide range of products for dry mouth.

Rita Gkatzouli

Bsc, Pharmacist graduate of School of Pharmacy, AUTH. Specialized in Alternative Therapies, Homeopathy, Homeotoxicology, Bach’s Flower Remedies, Herbal Therary, Gemmotherapy. Blog Chief Editor at Vita4you.gr.

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Disclaimer

The content of this blogspot is not and can not be considered as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All information is provided to readers solely for informational purposes. There is no intention to substitute this content for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, prognosis or treatment.

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