Are you wondering if you are suffering from xerostomia?
You may have a limited understanding of what xerostomia is, but you may be unsure of what symptoms to look out for.
Below is helpful information about what xerostomia is, some of the symptoms to look out for, treatment options, and some consequences of ignoring xerostomia.
What Is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia (also referred to as “dry mouth”) is a medical condition in which a person is unable to produce an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva is needed for a variety of different reasons, which include assistance in digestion, fighting off bacteria, getting rid of food debris, and more.
What Causes Xerostomia?
Xerostomia doesn’t have one single cause. There are various causes of xerostomia, which include:
- Medications
- Dehydration
- Caffeine
- Medical conditions
- Age
- Cancer treatment
- Smoking/chewing tobacco
- Mouth breathing
- Alcohol
- CPAP use
Symptoms of Xerostomia
The most easily recognizable symptom of xerostomia is the feeling of your mouth being consistently dry. With that said, there are other symptoms to look out for. These include:
- Dry tongue
- Bad breath
- Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Thick and stringy saliva
- Sore throat
- Change in taste
Treatment Options for Xerostomia
As xerostomia can be caused by a variety of different things, treatment options will vary. With that said, some treatment options come down to lifestyle changes. If you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages or alcohol, you may want to cut back or stop to address dry mouth. The same goes for the use of tobacco.
Some other simple treatment options may include:
- Drinking more water
- Using a humidifier
- Switching to alcohol-free mouthwash
- Chewing on sugarless gum
Medication may be causing your dry mouth. Check with your dentist to see if xerostomia is a side effect of the medication you are taking. If it is, you can speak with your dentist to see if there is an alternative.
There are medical conditions (like Sjögren’s syndrome) in which medication is required for treatment. Often, this medication may include pilocarpine or cevimeline. These prescriptions can be very helpful with the treatment of dry mouth.
Long-Term Consequences
There are some major, long-term consequences of not addressing dry mouth. Some of these consequences include:
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Mouth sores
- Cracked lips
- And more
Treatment for these conditions can be simple but, if left unaddressed, can become more complex quickly. For instance, a cavity may only require a filling. With continued progression, though, a root canal may be needed. If the condition continues to advance, it may lead to extraction.
If you notice any of the symptoms that were discussed above, make sure you address the issue as soon as possible. If simple changes don’t fix your dry mouth, contact a dentist.
Contact Us
If you are suffering from xerostomia or you suspect you may be, contact us. We will schedule an appointment for an examination by a top dentist. If it turns out you have xerostomia, your dentist will put together a treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your dry mouth.