Dry Mouth
When the body’s natural ability to produce saliva is diminished, a dry feeling may result that is known as xerostomia, or dry mouth syndrome. This condition can affect anyone – and most people get it temporarily at one point or another – but it is most prevalent in older people. Frequently, dry mouth syndrome is caused by factors that include certain medical conditions and medications or even stress and anxiety.
So, when is dryness of the mouth characteristic of xerostomia and not just a dry sensation? Duration is usually the key in answering this question. If symptoms are experienced on an ongoing basis, consultation with a dentist is recommended to get at the root of the problem before it manifests into a more severe situation.
Symptoms to look out for include: lack of saliva, a sticky feeling in the mouth, rough tongue, bad breath, sore throat, cracked lips and split skin around the mouth, a change in the ability to taste, a burning sensation in the mouth or on the tongue and oral infection.
Prescription and even over-the-counter medications are high on the list of usual suspects when it comes to the causes of dry mouth syndrome. Several hundred medications – especially those used to treat allergies and colds, anti-depressants and pain killers – list dry mouth syndrome as a possible side effect. Other possible culprits include muscle relaxants and medications that treat Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments that are commonly used in cancer cases and with other illnesses can cause dry mouth syndrome when used in the vicinity of the head and neck. Further, people under stress or who are anxious, pregnant or menopausal can also be affected as can people who snore or sleep with their mouths open.
Not only can lack of sufficient saliva be uncomfortable for the sufferer, it can be medically problematic. One of saliva’s most important jobs is to flush harmful bacteria from the mouth. Without the necessary amount of saliva, bits of food aren’t washed away and acids from plaque aren’t destroyed. The condition can also make it difficult to talk or eat food and nasal passages can dry out causing further complications. For these reasons, it is recommended that sufferers of dry mouth syndrome maintain a regular regimen of brushing and flossing to prevent tooth decay that can be a result.
Proper diagnosis and establishment of an effective treatment plan is imperative to correcting dry mouth syndrome. If a dentist is unable to treat the condition because it is too advanced, he or she may recommend a periodontist for further care. Recommendations for controlling dry mouth syndrome may include chewing sugar-free gum, use of a saliva substitute, spray or gel moisturizers, prescription medicines, oral rinses and increased consumption of fluids like water or ice.
Dental professionals will also usually recommend that patients suffering from dry mouth syndrome refrain from using any tobacco products or drinking alcohol and carbonated beverages. Currently, medical researchers are analyzing the possibility of using acupuncture, tissue regeneration, DNA transfer technology and nerve stimulation as possible remedies for dry mouth syndrome.