Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms, and How to Treat iIt
Posted on 4/1/2024 by Weo Admin
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a dental condition where the amount of saliva in the mouth is lower than usual. It can be a chronic or a one-time problem. Occasional or temporary dry mouth is relatively prevalent and occurs when one is very thirsty, while chronic xerostomia is often a sign of an underlying health condition.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
A dry mouth is characterized by a feeling of sticky dryness in the mouth, unusually thick saliva, and dry lips. Some patients experience difficulty in tasting and swallowing food and have persistent bad breath (halitosis).
Causes of Dry Mouth
The most common cause of xerostomia is dehydration, which can be due to not drinking enough fluids or excessive sweating. The salivary glands need a certain level of fluids to produce adequate saliva, and dehydration interferes with that.
Some medications, such as antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics, can dry up the mouth as a side effect. Medical conditions like diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Sjogren syndrome may also have this effect. Additionally, cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy may find their mouths dry for a few hours to some days after the treatment.
Lifestyle habits that lead to high rates of fluid loss from the body also contribute to dry mouth. Notable culprits in this regard include smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking too much caffeine.
How to Treat Dry Mouth
With dehydration being the leading cause of dry mouth, increasing your fluid intake is the simplest and most effective way to keep your mouth moist. Another way is to stimulate saliva production. You can do this by chewing sugar-free gum or taking herbal remedies like ginger and aloe vera.
If this fails, consider using artificial saliva and moisturizers to provide the needed lubrication. The options range from mouthwashes made for treating dry mouth to over-the-counter moisturizing sprays and gels.
Consult Our Dentists Today
If you have persistent dry mouth, consulting a dental professional is the best way to identify the root causes and workable solutions. Call us today to schedule a visit with one of our dentists.
Dentist Dacula • Dental Blog • Lanier Valley Dentistry At Lanier Valley Dentistry, we provide an in-depth dental blog to inform our patients and the community about the real issues that affect your oral health. Lanier Valley Dentistry - Dr Colin Lentz, 3635 Braselton Hwy, Suite C, Dacula, GA 30019 / (678) 802-8654 / laniervalleydentistry.com / 4/29/2024 / Related Phrases: dentist Dacula GA /
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a dental condition where the amount of saliva in the mouth is lower than usual. It can be a chronic or a one-time problem. Occasional or temporary dry mouth is relatively prevalent and occurs when one is very thirsty, while chronic xerostomia is often a sign of an underlying health condition.
