Dry Mouth - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dry mouth in a technical term called Xerostomia. It is the condition in which there is decrease in saliva secretions in mouth. Saliva secretions removes the plaques or food materials from mouth and prevents dental problems. Dry mouth is commonly seen in old people. If it is untreated, it leads to other oral problems like tooth decay and gum problems.

This article provides you complete information about dry mouth causes, signs and how it can be treated.

Causes of dry mouth

• Taking medications which decreases the saliva secretions
• Side effects of some drug categories like anti hypertensive drugs, Diuretics etc.
• Side effects of diseases like HIV, Anemia, Diabetes
• Dry mouth can be seen in patients who are undergoing radiation treatment on neck, head
• Due to hormonal changes in pregnant women
• Removal of salivary glands by surgery
• Taking breath continuously with mouth.
• Dehydration- loss of water or fluids from body causes dry mouth.

Symptoms of dry mouth

• Alterations in the taste sensation
• Dryness of mouth
• Irritation on tongue
• Bad odor from mouth
• Sticking of food to teeth and mouth
• Sores or patches in mouth
• Difficulty in chewing, drinking and speaking.

How it is diagnosed?

• Saometry is used to measure the flow of saliva in particular period of time. In this 10% citric acid is placed on the tongue and check the stimulation of saliva flow with the normal saliva flow.

• Salography uses radio opaque iodine dye on salivary gland and checks for any blockage of salivary duct.

• Other tests like chest X-ray and salivary biopsy can also diagnose the dry mouth condition.

Treatment
Based on the cause it's treatment varies. If dry mouth is due to the side effect of medications then these can be substituted with the other medications. However, dry mouth can be treated by two ways, saliva stimulation and saliva substitution.

• Saliva stimulation
• If salivary gland is working properly, then saliva stimulation is used to treat dry mouth.
• Chewing sugar free gums to increase saliva flow
• Drink plenty of water
• Take medications like prilocarpine which improves saliva secretions
• Avoid breathing with mouth.

• Saliva Substitution
• Rinsing mouth with mouth wash does not containing alcohol makes mouth moist
• Take saliva substitutes
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid intake of caffeine
• Moistening the mouth and lips with melting the ice in mouth

Problems associated with dry mouth:
If the dry mouth is untreated, it can cause serious dental problems

• Tooth decay
• Periodontal diseases
• Oral thrush