- Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition where the mouth does not produce enough saliva. It is commonly caused by medications, medical treatments, or underlying health conditions and increases the risk of tooth decay and infection.
- Symptoms of dry mouth include stickiness, dryness, or burning in the mouth and throat. You may also have difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking, a decreased sense of taste, and several other symptoms.
- A lack of saliva can lead to tooth decay, demineralization, tooth sensitivity, and oral infections. Treatment for dry mouth primarily focuses on addressing symptoms.
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Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, occurs when the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Learn what causes it, why it matters, and how it’s treated.
Dry mouth causes
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Dry mouth causes include:
chemotherapy,
radiotherapy,
uncontrolled diabetes,
hormonal changes,
nerve damage,
dehydration,
pregnancy,
lifestyle,
certain drugs and medications, and
diseases like HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s disease, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.
Those receiving cancer treatment, especially to the head and neck regions, are very likely to suffer from dry mouth at some point. The associated procedures are highly toxic to other parts of the body. Those with Sjögren disease are likewise almost sure to suffer from xerostomia.
Over 400 OTC and prescription drugs commonly sold in the US can lead to or speed up the development of dry mouth. This side effect is linked to antidepressants, painkillers, antihistamines, decongestants, and more. Dry mouth is even more likely to occur if someone regularly ingests a mixture of those substances.
When it comes to patient-controlled factors, the most prominent are tobacco use, alcohol intake, and open-mouth breathing, especially at night. Avoiding these habits is an important part of treating xerostomia.
A healthy balance of oral bacteria and adequate saliva contributes to overall oral comfort and breath. Some individuals include daily oral probiotics in their routine to support oral bacterial balance when saliva production is reduced. These supplements are not a replacement for dental care or treatments for underlying causes.
Symptoms of dry mouth
The following are signs of dry mouth you can look for:
stickiness, dryness, or burning in the mouth and throat,
trouble with chewing, swallowing, or speaking,
a diminished sense of taste,
intolerance of spicy, salty, or sour foods and drinks, cracked lips (especially the corners),
a dry, rough tongue,
mouth sores,
inflammation in the mouth,
a hoarse throat,
frequent thirst, and
snoring.
You may only experience some of these symptoms. Nonetheless, dry mouth is associated with many oral health complications. Act before you have a more serious problem on your hands.
Why is saliva so important to your health?
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Saliva not only moistens the mouth. It is necessary to cleanse it, prevent bacterial and fungal infections, and digest food. A lack of it may lead to severe decay, demineralization, tooth sensitivity, and oral infections. This is why it is important not to underestimate the danger of dry mouth.
Oral complications also include:
periodontal infections,
thrush,
malnutrition,
inability to wear dentures,
ulcers, and
sores.
How to get rid of dry mouth?
Treatment is mostly about targeting symptoms. There are some things you can do from home, but it is important to report to the dentist as well. Dry mouth can also be detected during bi-yearly checkups.
Home remedies
Follow these tips. Your dentist is likely to recommend some of them as well:
Use fluoridated products such as toothpaste and varnishes. They help prevent issues like tooth decay.
Lubricate your lips with balm. The corners of your mouth are especially likely to be dry or cracked.
Avoid salty or spicy food. Those will be uncomfortable in your mouth because they do not dissolve in saliva.
Do not eat food rich in sugar. It will dehydrate your mouth further and can lead to tooth decay and bad breath.
Drink water with every meal. It will make swallowing easier.
Eat sugar-free gum and candies. They help by increasing saliva flow. Xylitol can also help prevent tooth decay.
Suck on ice chips. This helps moisturize the mouth.
Sip water throughout the day. Keep your whole body hydrated as much as you can.
Steer clear of caffeine and alcohol. Those dry out not only your mouth but the entire body. Buy alcohol-free mouthwash, too.
Use a humidifier at night. The more moisture in the air, the more it can enter your body. It will also help gently hydrate your airways.
Avoid tobacco at all costs. It dries out your mouth and irritates soft tissues.
If you wear a denture, reline it regularly and use adhesive.
Invest in OTC saliva substitutes containing xylitol, carboxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Breathe through your nose and not your mouth. This prevents your mouth from drying out and keeps airborne microorganisms from entering your mouth. Your nose is prepared to stop them from entering your airway.
Professional treatment
If you experience dry mouth symptoms, you should see a dentist. It is associated with many complications, so he or she might have to treat you for those anyway.
Here is what you can expect from a dental professional in the case of xerostomia.
You may get a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, a toothpaste containing betaine, or a gel that neutralizes acids.
Bitewing radiographs might be taken to examine the extent of the problem.
You might be advised to change the medication you are taking. The dentist will let you know which might be causing the issue. Follow up with your doctor to explore alternatives, adjust the dosage, or consider ceasing treatment.
Fluoride trays to wear at night are also likely. Those will protect your teeth.
The dentist may advise a daily chlorhexidine rinse.
If your dentist diagnoses the cause as salivary gland dysfunction, he or she might give you a prescription for salivary stimulants.
Curing malfunctioning salivary glands is currently not satisfactorily available. Treatment has to be, unfortunately, symptom-based.
FAQ
Is dry mouth a serious problem?
If ignored, it can be. There are serious complications associated with letting your mouth dry out. This includes bacterial and fungal infections, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. What is more, it may be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
If you treat your dry mouth, it is not a serious condition.
How long does dry mouth last?
If the root cause is radiation or chemotherapy, it may resolve on its own 2 months after treatment ends. It may last up to a year. Otherwise, it will go away soon after you start treating it.
How to prevent dry mouth while sleeping?
References
- Treating the Treatment: Toxicity of Cancer Chemotherapy
- Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General
- Oral Health Topics
- The functions of saliva
- Fluoridation
- The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora
- Carboxymethyl Cellulose
- Concise Review: Salivary Gland Regeneration: Therapeutic Approaches from Stem Cells to Tissue Organoids
Nichole McKenna, DDS
Direct radiation treatment to the head/neck region can cause permanent damage to salivary glands, leading to life-long xerostomia.