Dry mouth is defined as the abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva. Xerostomia is a medical term used to refer to dry mouth.
So, what are the various signs of dry mouth? If you suffer from any of the following, it may be a sign of dry mouth.
SYMPTOMS
- Constant thirst
- Cracked lips, mouth sores, and skin cracking at mouth corners
- Dry throat
- A burning mouth or stinging sensation on the tongue
- A dry tongue, or red tongue
- Difficulty in speaking, and in chewing and ingestion of food
- A sore throat, or dryness in nasal passage
- Bad odor in the mouth
When you have less salivary secretion, you end up with a dry mouth. Saliva is a digestive enzyme, a cleansing agent, and a moisturizer. It has also got germicidal properties and so protects the mouth from micro-organisms like fungi and bacteria. A mouth without saliva would be a parody and a very uncomfortable proposition.
A variety of reasons may lead to dry mouth. Please find the list of causes below.
CAUSES
- Certain medicines used in the treatment of acne, hypertension, epilepsy, and obesity, and bronchodilators used for asthma,Parkinson’s disease, depression, anxiety, diarrhea, or nausea, may have dry mouth as a side effect
- Dry mouth is often seen in people suffering from AIDS. It is a symptom of even a minor infectious disease like mumps,Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and anemia and stroke and hypertension have dry mouth as a symptom
- Chemotherapy done for cancer can result in reduced production of saliva
- Any damage to a nerve around the mouth, which is supplying the salivary glands, can cause a dry mouth
- Dehydration due to diseases. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of blood, burn injuries, or heavy sweating can cause the body to dehydrate
- Daily habits like Open-mouthed breathing, tobacco chewing, or smoking can affect a faster rate of drying of saliva and increase dryness of the mouth
Dry mouth puts a person at increased risk of mouth infections like thrush, tooth decay, and gingivitis, a gum disease. Wearing dentures is also not easy for people who have a dry mouth. How to get rid off dry mouth? Regular visits to your dental physician will guide you in finding the problem in right time with right solutions like:
- Chewing candy or gum that is sugar-free
- Drinking large quantities of water
- Using a fluoride toothpaste and fluoride oral rinse
- Remembering to keep the mouth closed
- Using a vaporizer that can moisturize the air
- Over the counter medications are available which can work as a saliva substitute
