Dry Mouth
Everyone has a dry
mouth once in a while--if they are nervous, upset or
under stress.
But if you have a
dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be
uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems.
Dry mouth...
- can cause
difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and
speaking
- can increase
your chance of developing dental decay and other
infections in the mouth
- can be a sign
of certain diseases and conditions
- can be caused
by certain medications or medical treatments
Dry mouth is not a
normal part of aging. So if you think you have dry mouth,
see your dentist or physician--there are things you can
do to get relief.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth is the
condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep
your mouth wet.
Symptoms include:
- a sticky, dry
feeling in the mouth
- trouble
chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
- a burning
feeling in the mouth
- a dry feeling
in the throat
- cracked lips
- a dry, tough
tongue
- mouth sores
- an infection
in the mouth
Why is saliva so important?
Saliva does more
than keep the mouth wet.
- It helps
digest food
- It protects
teeth from decay
- It prevents
infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in
the mouth
- It makes it
possible for you to chew and swallow
Without enough
saliva you can develop tooth decay or other infections in
the mouth. You also might not get the nutrients you need
if you cannot chew and swallow certain foods.
What causes dry mouth?
People get dry
mouth when the 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. There are several
reasons why these glands (called salivary glands) might
not work right.
- Side
effects of some medicines. More than 400
medicines can cause the salivary glands to make
less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure
and depression often cause dry mouth.
- Disease.
Some diseases affect the salivary glands.
Sjögren's Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and
Parkinson's disease can all cause dry mouth.
- Radiation
therapy. The salivary glands can be damaged
if they are exposed to radiation during cancer
treatment.
- Chemotherapy.
Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva
thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.
- Nerve
damage. Injury to the head or neck can damage
the nerves that tell salivary glands to make
saliva.
What can be done about dry mouth?
Dry mouth treatment
will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think
you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or
she can try to determine what is causing your dry mouth.
- If your dry
mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might
change your medicine or adjust the dosage.
- If your
salivary glands are not working right but can
still produce some saliva, your physician or
dentist might give you a medicine that helps the
glands work better.
- Your physician
or dentist might suggest that you use artificial
saliva to keep your mouth wet.
What can I do?
- Sip water or
sugarless drinks often.
- Avoid drinks
with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some
sodas. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Sip water or a
sugarless drink during meals. This will make
chewing and swallowing easier. It may also
improve the taste of food.
- Chew sugarless
gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate
saliva flow; citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored
candies are good choices.
- Don't use
tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth.
- Be aware that
spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry
mouth.
- Use a
humidifier at night.
Tips for keeping your teeth healthy
Remember, if you
have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to keep your
teeth healthy. Make sure you:
- Gently brush
your teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss your
teeth every day.
- Use toothpaste
with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at
grocery and drug stores have fluoride in them.
- Avoid sticky,
sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush
immediately afterwards.
- Visit your
dentist for a check-up at least twice a year.
Your dentist might give you a special fluoride
solution that you can rinse with to help keep
your teeth healthy.
For more information on Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren's Syndrome
is a major cause of dry mouth. You can get information
about dry mouth related to Sjögren's Syndrome from:
Sjögren's Syndrome
Clinic
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Building 10, Room 1N113
10 Center Drive MSC 1190
Bethesda, MD 20892-1190
Tel: 301-435-8528
FOR
MORE INFO ON THIS SUBJECT AND HEALTH RELATED INFORMATION
VISIT: HEALTHMOON.COM
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