Have you noticed that you have a dry mouth that stays consistently dry? If so, you may have a medical condition that needs to be addressed.
Below is helpful information about xerostomia (dry mouth), including more about the condition, some common causes, and treatment options.
About Xerostomia
Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a condition in which the salivary glands are unable to provide an adequate amount of saliva. Saliva is necessary to wash away debris left over by food, neutralize acids, assist in digestion, and fight bacteria. As this is the case, xerostomia can increase the risk of developing various oral health conditions—some of which can be detrimental.
Symptoms to Look Out For
There are a variety of symptoms of xerostomia you can look out for (outside of the obvious). These include:
- Thick and stringy saliva
- Sore throat
- Change in taste
- Bad breath
- Difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Dry tongue
Common Causes of Xerostomia
There are a variety of different causes for dry mouth. Some of these include:
- Medical conditions
- Age
- Caffeine
- Medications
- Dehydration
- Cancer treatment
- Smoking/chewing tobacco
- Mouth breathing
- Alcohol
- CPAP use
Treatment for Xerostomia
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is treatable and, generally, the treatment comes down to making some lifestyle changes. For instance, if you stop the use of tobacco, caffeine, and/or alcohol, you may reduce or eliminate dry mouth. Medication can also lead to dry mouth, so check with your doctor and see if the medication you are taking commonly leads to dry mouth. If so, they may recommend a different medication that doesn’t lead to this side effect.
Some other simple treatment options may include:
- Drinking more water
- Chewing on sugarless gum
- Switching to alcohol-free mouthwash
- Using a humidifier
For certain medical conditions, xerostomia may require the use of prescription medication. This may include pilocarpine or cevimeline. These prescriptions help with dry mouth and can be helpful with the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome.
What If I Don’t Address It?
While occasional dry mouth isn’t a big deal, consistent and long-term dry mouth can lead to some serious oral health problems. Some of these may include:
- Gum disease
- Mouth sores
- Cavities
- Cracked lips
- And more
As these issues progress, they can lead to costly repairs and even irreparable damage to the teeth. For instance, gum disease and cavities (if left untreated) may eventually require extraction.
Make sure you speak with your dentist if you start to notice cracked lips, mouth sores, or pain in your mouth. The sooner you can schedule your appointment, the sooner your dentist will be able to diagnose the issue and help you to address it.
Reach Out Today
If you are suffering from persistent dry mouth and the at-home treatment options mentioned above aren’t doing the trick, reach out today to schedule an appointment. We’ll help to determine the root cause of your xerostomia and, if needed, put together a treatment plan to address the issue.
We look forward to speaking with you and helping you to reduce or eliminate your dry mouth.