Have you noticed that your mouth is very dry, and you can’t seem to get rid of the feeling? If so, you may be dealing with a condition known as “xerostomia.”
Below is helpful information about xerostomia, including what it is, some of the most common causes of xerostomia, and treatment options that may be available for your persistent dry mouth.
What Is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia is a more clinical name for “dry mouth.” This condition occurs when your salivary glands don’t produce the right amount of saliva. Saliva is important not only for your comfort, but also to wash away food debris, fight bacteria, neutralize acids, and assist in digestion. When suffering from xerostomia, you have an increased risk of a variety of different oral health conditions that can have some major, long-term consequences.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Xerostomia?
There are actually quite a few common causes of xerostomia. Some of these include:
- Medications
- Medical conditions
- Age
- Dehydration
- Cancer treatment
- Caffeine
- Smoking/chewing tobacco
- Mouth breathing
- Alcohol
- CPAP use
While you can make certain adjustments to try and address the issue on your own, it’s important to see a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment options. They will perform an examination and come up with a treatment plan to meet your exact needs.
Treatment
As there are a lot of different reasons for dry mouth, there are also a variety of different treatment options. If the issue is due to medication, the doses may need to be adjusted or you may even need to switch to a different medication (with the help of your doctor).
If the issue is due to lifestyle choices, you may need to rethink some of those. This may mean cutting back on alcohol, tobacco, and/or caffeine. You also need to make sure you stay hydrated, so drink plenty of water.
Treatment may also include prescription medication for the management of xerostomia. The most common prescriptions include pilocarpine and cevimeline. These are especially helpful for the management of dry mouth associated with Sjögren’s syndrome.
What Happens if It Is Not Treated?
Consistent dry mouth isn’t just a nuisance—it’s actually something that needs to be addressed. It can lead to a host of health issues that include:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Cracked lips
- Mouth sores
- And more
These conditions can continue to worsen over time and lead to the need for more advanced treatments that include root canal therapy and even extraction.
Contact Us
If your mouth is consistently dry and you can’t fix it on your own, make sure you schedule an appointment for an examination. A dentist can take a look at your mouth and ask you questions to better determine what is leading to your xerostomia. From there, a treatment plan can be put in place to address the issue.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping with the treatment of your dry mouth.