Dry Mouth Causes, Symptoms, and Remedies

It is normal to occasionally have a dry mouth if you are feeling nervous or dehydrated. However, a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of a more serious health or dental problem.

Learn the different dry mouth causes and symptoms, and see your doctor or dentist for treatment recommendations.

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/dry-mouth-causes-symptoms-and-remedies/

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Dry Mouth Dry Mouth Symptoms Common Dry Mouth saliva medication Treatment Dry Mouth Causes

https://sunrise-dentistry.com/blog/dry-mouth-causes-symptoms-and-remedies/

About ADMS

Advanced Digital Media

Dry Mouth Dry Mouth Symptoms Common Dry Mouth saliva medication Treatment Dry Mouth Causes

Dry Mouth Causes,
Symptoms, and Remedies
B L O G  |  S U N R I S E  D E N T I S T R Y
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
We all need saliva to keep our mouths
clean and moist. Saliva also helps in
food digestion, and prevents infection
by controlling the growth of bacteria
and fungi in the oral cavity.
When you do not make enough saliva,
your mouth gets uncomfortably dry. 
Dry mouth causes may include
dehydration, unhealthy lifestyle
practices, certain medical conditions,
and prescription drugs. 
Fortunately, most dry mouth
symptoms are manageable at home,
though there are also medications.
How Common Is Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth affects approximately
10% of the world’s population. 
It is more common in the aging
population, and women are more
affected than men. Patients who are
taking prescription and
nonprescription medications can
also be greatly affected.
What Are the Most Common Dry
Mouth Causes?
Medications
Many prescription and O.T.C. drugs
can cause dry mouth. Antihistamines,
anti-hypertensives, decongestants,
muscle relaxants, anti-diarrhea
medications, antidepressants, and
urinary continence drugs are just a
few examples.
Age
Although dry mouth is not a natural
part of aging, the elderly tend to take
more drugs than the rest of the
population. Most of these
medications cause dry mouth.
Cancer Treatment
Radiation to the head and neck can
damage the salivary glands, hence
a decrease in saliva production.
Chemotherapy can also alter the
amount of saliva being produced,
as well as its quality.
 
Injury or Surgery
Nerve damage to the head and neck
can result in dry mouth. Surgical
removal of the salivary glands, though
uncommon, will also cause dry mouth.
Smoking
Tobacco use can increase the risk of
dry mouth symptoms.
Dehydration
Lack of fluids can also lead to a lack of
saliva. Fever, excessive sweating,
diarrhea, vomiting, burns, and blood
loss all commonly lead to
dehydration.
Dry mouth causes also include certain
health conditions and habits,
including:
Stress and anxiety disorders
Depression
Poorly controlled diabetes
mellitus
Sjogren’s syndrome
Alzheimer’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Stroke
H.I.V. or AIDS
Sleeping with the mouth open
Snoring
What Are the Most Common Dry
Mouth Symptoms?
Bad breath or halitosis
Symptoms of dry mouth include:
Cacked or inflamed lips
Sores or split skin at the corners
of the mouth
Taste disorder
Fungal infections like oral thrush
Painful tongue
Excessive thirst
Tongue ulcers and inflammation
More frequent tooth decay and
gum disease
Difficulty chewing and
swallowing, especially dry or
crumbly foods like cereals and
crackers.
Difficulty speaking
Denture sores
Sore throat
Sticky saliva
When Should You See a Doctor?
Talk to your doctor or dentist if you
notice ongoing signs of dry mouth.
Your doctor may request blood tests
and imaging scans of the salivary
gland to rule out stones and masses.
Sialometry is an easy procedure that
measures the flow rate of saliva. A
biopsy may be requested if Sjogren’s
syndrome or any other malignancy is
suspected.
These tests will help determine the
cause and suggest treatment options.
It is also important to see a dentist to
check for signs of tooth decay or gum
disease, which are also common dry
mouth causes.
Dry Mouth Remedies at Home
Dry mouth is usually a temporary and
treatable condition. In most cases, you
can prevent and relieve dry mouth
symptoms at home by doing one or
more of the following:
Drink more water
Suck on ice cubes frequently
Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and
tobacco
Limit your salt and sugar intake
Use a humidifier in your bedroom
when you sleep
Chew sugarless gum or candy
Use over-the-counter dry mouth
treatment products like
toothpaste, mints, and rinses
Brush and floss your teeth daily
If a natural treatment for dry mouth
does not work, you may have to
consider professional treatment
options.
Treatment Options for Dry Mouth
Treatment will depend on several
factors. Is it caused by an underlying
condition or just a specific
medication?
If dry mouth is caused by a specific
drug, your doctor will either alter the
dose to minimize this side effect or
prescribe a new medication.
Another drug may also be prescribed
to help stimulate the production of
saliva. Common medications include
pilocarpine and cevimeline.
A patient with a dry mouth should
also pay close attention to oral
hygiene. Plaque removal and
treatment of gingivitis, inflammation,
and dental cavities may help treat dry
mouth.
Schedule an appointment with
Sunrise Dentistry now by calling 
(970) 247-3303. We offer holistic
dentistry in Durango, CO, which can
help prevent and treat dry mouth.
dale@durangolive.net
EMAIL ADDRESS
(970) 247-3303
PHONE NUMBER
https://sunrise-dentistry.com/
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