You don’t normally think much about the saliva in your mouth — until it isn’t there. And then things can get uncomfortable fast. Our bodies generate saliva to help prevent tooth decay by washing away food particles and neutralizing food acids. It’s also there to help us taste, chew and digest our food. So, when your body isn’t generating enough saliva to do these things, it’s uncomfortable.
But when does a dry mouth turn into a big problem? Everyone has had times when they’ve become scared or stressed out, and their mouth felt dry and gritty. But, once your nerves calmed down, or you had a drink of water, your mouth generally went back to normal. That’s not what we’re talking about here.
When you suffer from the medical condition “dry mouth,” which doctors and dentists call xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), your mouth is like that all the time, regardless of how you’re feeling. It’s not because you’re scared or stressed out or any of those things. Your body has stopped producing the saliva your mouth needs to work the way it’s supposed to.
In theory, anyone can experience dry mouth issues, but it’s typically a problem for older adults. Why? Because dry mouth is a side effect of many medications, and older adults typically have more prescriptions. In fact, there are more than 500 medications on the market today that list dry mouth as a known side effect. Dry mouth can also be a serious side effect of cancer treatments, and age is a huge risk factor for cancer.
While it might seem like no big deal to people who don’t have it, dry mouth can affect many aspects of your life. Besides being uncomfortable, it can impact your speech, your digestion and even your overall health. How? Well, consider your teeth. If saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing away unwanted food particles, what happens when it doesn’t do that? You can experience a serious decline in your oral health, resulting in an increase in cavities and other dental conditions. If you aren’t chewing and digesting food properly, you could have stomach issues. If you aren’t speaking normally, it could impact your confidence. The list goes on and on.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Typically, there are two primary causes of dry mouth: medication and medical treatment. The types of medications that can cause dry mouth are varied, but they include cardiovascular drugs, antihistamines, antidepressants, antiemetics, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, decongestants and sedatives. Using over-the-counter medications for a long period of time is also linked to dry mouth. Older adults are more likely to be dry mouth sufferers because they are more likely to be taking one or more of these types of medications. And, the more medications you take that have dry mouth as a possible side effect, the more likely you are to have the condition.
Older adults are also more likely to go through cancer treatment, which is another leading cause of dry mouth. Chemotherapy and radiation, especially radiation targeting regions of the head or neck, have both been shown to cause dry mouth in patients. In fact, after a patient has had radiation to their head and/or neck areas, it is very likely to leave them with little to no saliva production, which can be incredibly uncomfortable. Once you finish your treatment, you should find your saliva production will return to normal, but you’ll want to talk with your doctor about the best ways to treat your symptoms in the meantime.
Besides cancer treatments and use of certain medications, there are also several health conditions linked to dry mouth. Autoimmune disorders are one of the most common causes of dry mouth. In fact, patients suffering from disorders in their immune systems often also have Sjogren’s syndrome, which is specifically a condition that results in dry eyes and dry mouth. Other conditions that result in dry mouth include Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
While alcohol and tobacco do not cause the medical condition known as dry mouth, it’s worth noting regular consumption of these products can lead to dry mouth — or worsen an existing condition. Prolonged use of methamphetamines can also lead to dry mouth. Smoking decreases your saliva production, and alcohol can dehydrate you and exacerbate existing problems. So, if you suspect you may already be experiencing dry mouth, it’s important to cut out these substances immediately. We’ll address that more in a later section.
Only rarely will dry mouth result from a problem with the salivary glands, the parts of your body that produce saliva in the first place. However, it is possible. If this is the case, your doctor can prescribe medication that will help stimulate your body’s saliva production. Deficiencies in Vitamin A or riboflavin can also cause dry mouth. While both these conditions are rare, they are real and serious, and a medical professional should treat them. Read on to find out if you’re experiencing the symptoms of dry mouth.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Everyone will go through times when their mouth feels dry or gritty. And, for most people, a drink of water or change of scenery will be all they need to fix the problem. However, for a dry mouth sufferer, their symptoms don’t clear up. In fact, they will continue and likely worsen as time goes on. It’s not as simple as feeling like you need a drink of water. People with dry mouth often have trouble chewing and talking. They sometimes have halitosis. They may have problems with their dentures or even contract mouth sores. What starts out as just minor discomfort can quickly become painful, especially if the dry mouth sufferer does not see a doctor or dentist.
If you aren’t sure whether you’re experiencing dry mouth, there are a few telltale signs it’s becoming a problem. While you may not experience all of these symptoms, typically, adults who have dry mouth will experience a combination of symptoms, including:
- A dry or sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Bad breath
- Dryness or sticky feeling in the mouth
- Thick and stringy saliva
- Trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking
- Changed sense of taste
- Problems wearing dentures
- Grooved or dry tongue
- Tooth decay
- Onset of gum and periodontal disease
- Increased plaque
- Mouth sores
Believe it or not, one of the other telltale signs of dry mouth is lipstick frequently sticking to your teeth. Now, take this with a grain of salt — plenty of women just don’t have great aim when applying their favorite shade. However, if you notice you’re starting to have problems with lipstick getting on your teeth — after years of never experiencing this — and you’ve had some of these other symptoms as well, it could be a sign of a more significant problem.
While each person is different, if you notice you have one or more of these symptoms over a prolonged time, you’ll want to consult your doctor or dentist to determine whether you’re suffering from dry mouth. Not only can they help you figure out how to manage your symptoms, but they can also help you determine its cause. Often, patients find once they know the cause of their dry mouth, they can address the underlying problem and cure the condition. But, because it’s often the result of other ongoing medical treatments, it’s important for your doctor or dentist to manage your dry mouth, so it doesn’t cause other problems elsewhere in your body.
Preventing Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is treatable, but in many cases, it’s not going to go away overnight. If your dry mouth is the result of radiation treatments or an underlying health condition, it may be something you have to live with, at least for awhile. However, the good news is there are several things you can do to minimize dry mouth symptoms and make yourself more comfortable. While you’re working with your doctor or dentist to figure out a better long-term solution for dry mouth treatment, try these suggestions for short-term relief:
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candy to stimulate your salivary glands.
- Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Opt for specially formulated dry mouth mouthwash, such as ACT Total Care Dry Mouth Mouthwash or Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. Ideally, cut out both altogether, but if you still insist on the occasional alcoholic beverage, make sure you’re alternating each drink with water to help keep your body hydrated.
- Stop using tobacco products. These dry out the inside of your mouth. If you’re smoking while dealing with dry mouth, it’s only making your symptoms worse.
- Avoid over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. These cause dry mouth and may be making your symptoms worse.
- Breathe through your nose.
- Use a humidifier in your room at night to add moisture to the air.
- Avoid spicy or salty foods — these can increase your discomfort when you have dry mouth. In fact, if you have sores in your mouth, eating foods like this can be very painful.
While all these things can be helpful in easing your dry mouth symptoms, it’s essential to treat the underlying cause of dry mouth so you can get rid of it once and for all. Consult with your doctor or dentist to determine the best plan of action for how to treat dry mouth. They can look at your list of current medications, as well as your ongoing health conditions, to determine what might be causing your symptoms. Often, when a patient is experiencing dry mouth as the result of a certain medication, their doctor can help them by changing their dosage or even finding an alternative medication that doesn’t have dry mouth as a side effect.
If your dry mouth is the result of a medical treatment or health condition, it may be something you struggle with off and on. If it’s the result of radiation for cancer treatment, you’ll likely have to put up with it until you finish your treatments. If it’s the result of an autoimmune disease or another illness, it may be something that returns over time. If you aren’t careful, your untreated extreme dry mouth can lead to several oral health problems, so it’s essential to protect your mouth by taking extra precautions, including:
- Avoid sugary and/or acidic foods and drinks, since these increase your risk of tooth decay.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and fluoride rinse as part of your daily oral health regimen.
- Brush and floss thoroughly every day.
- Schedule regular visits to your dentist. Yes, even older adults still need to go in for a checkup every six months! In fact, it’s even more important to see your dentist twice a year as you get older.
Let Yuma Dental Help
As you get older, regular visits to the dentist are critical to maintaining your overall health. It’s not just about having clean, white teeth. It’s about protecting your body from serious health conditions that have proven links to your oral health. Yes, one of those conditions is dry mouth. While having a dry mouth may not seem like a health problem, it can quickly become one if you don’t treat it. In this day and age, there’s no reason for that to happen. That’s why it’s important to maintain ties with a dentist you know and trust. And, if you’re between dentists, it’s time to find a new one.
At Yuma Dental, we are a family dentistry practice specializing in dental care for patients of all ages. We offer cleanings, dental exams and preventive care, as well as periodontal and orthodontic care. We even offer restoration and teeth-whitening services for those who need to give their smile a boost. We want you to have a happy, healthy smile that is going to serve you well for years to come.
What makes us different than other practices? Well, we offer a two-year guarantee on all our dental work. We’re open every Friday. We accept most insurance plans. And, our experienced and trustworthy staff speak both English and Spanish. As one of the leading family dental practices in Yuma, Ariz., we pride ourselves on making your family feel like our family. After all, going to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience. We want to ease your fears by offering you a calming, kind environment where people are concerned about you as a person, and not just as another patient.
Whether you’re having oral problems, or you’re just looking to establish yourself with a new dental practice, we’d love to welcome you into our practice. For more information or to set up your first appointment with us, contact us today.
