Dry Mouth Syndrome – What is it?
Dry mouth syndrome, also known as xerostomia is when, for various reasons, there is not enough saliva. Saliva is made by the salivary glands in and around your mouth and throat. It normally keeps your mouth moist all the time by flowing continuously. Saliva production in the mouth is often increased during eating, swallowing, and thinking about or gazing at food as described by a family dentist in Whitby, Ontario.
The purpose of saliva is to:
- Keep your mouth and throat moist
- Help with swallowing and digestion
- Protect your teeth from decay
- Lubricate your mouth to assist with speech
The symptoms of dry mouth usually appear gradually. It could be minor or really serious. One in three adults say they have had a dry mouth at some point in their lives. It could have an impact on your gums, teeth, and overall well-being.
Dry Mouth Causes
Causes related to dry mouth include:
- Mental health: Your mouth may become dry due to stress and worry; if you suffer a panic attack, get medical attention straight immediately.
- Chronic illness: HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes can lead to dry mouth. Furthermore, people with Sjogren’s Syndrome which is an autoimmune condition that affects both men and women in their later years—experience dry eyes and mouth. For people who have the condition, maintaining optimum dental hygiene is crucial.
- Dehydration: When your body doesn’t have enough fluids, it becomes dry and may lead to dehydration
- Drug use: Methamphetamines dehydrate your body which leaves your mouth feeling dry.
- Smoking: Tobacco use leads to dehydration, sore tongue, and many other health complications.
- Nerve damage: Injuries to the head, neck, and jaw can damage the nerves that signal the salivary glands.
- Medication: There are prescription medicines that reduce saliva production naturally. Medicine is the cause of 90% of cases of dry mouth. When beginning a new medicine, find out from your doctor about any potential side effects related to dry mouth.
Taking Care of Dry Mouth Causes
If you believe a medication you’re taking is causing your dry mouth, speak to your doctor. Your doctor could change the medicine you’re taking or alter your dosage to help relieve the dry lips. However, treatment will concentrate on methods to enhance saliva flow if the underlying medical condition causing the dry mouth cannot be altered. Examples of such conditions include injury to the salivary gland or diseases like Sjögren’s syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.
