Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is xerostomia?
- How common is this condition?
- Signs & symptoms
- What are the signs and symptoms of xerostomia (dry mouth)?
- When should I see a doctor?
- Cause
- What are the causes of dry mouth?
- 1. Stress
- 2. Take certain drugs
- 3. Cancer therapy
- 4. Certain diseases
- 5. Nerve damage
- 6. Drink alcohol
- 7. Smoking
- 8. Snoring
- 9. Aging
- 10. Drug abuse
- Risk factors
- What increases my risk for xerostomia (dry mouth)?
- Drugs & Medicines
- How doctors diagnose xerostomia (dry mouth)
- What are the treatment options for xerostomia (dry mouth)
- Prescribing certain drugs
- Be diligent in cleaning your teeth
- Home remedies
- 1. Drink lots of water
- 2. Stop smoking
- 3. Maintain oral health
- 4. Gargle
- 5. Use a humidifier
Definition
What is xerostomia?
Xerostomia is a condition when your mouth feels very dry. The mouth dries up because the salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva to moisturize the oral cavity.
The side effects of certain drugs, being nervous, and rarely drinking water can also make you experience xerostomia.
This condition can cause a rough tongue, canker sores, and cracked lips. Although not a dangerous condition, xerostomia should not be underestimated.
Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, when dry mouth conditions last for a long time, you may find it difficult to chew, swallow, and even speak. The mouth that is allowed to dry out can also increase the risk of tooth decay or a yeast infection.
If not treated properly, this condition can also lead to complications such as severe tooth decay.
In addition, dry mouth that doesn't improve can also be a sign of serious illness, such as diabetes.
How common is this condition?
Xerostomia can be experienced by anyone regardless of age and gender. Children, teenagers, adults, and the elderly can experience dry mouth at any time in life.
The good news is, you can prevent this condition by avoiding the existing risk factors. Don't hesitate to ask questions or discuss with your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of xerostomia (dry mouth)?
When the salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva, you may experience a number of symptoms. Some of the most characteristic symptoms of xerostomia are:
- Feeling dry in the mouth, throat, or tongue
- Dry lips
- Canker sores appear in the mouth
- Have an infection in the mouth
- Bad breath
- Feeling a burning or burning sensation in the mouth
- Often feel thirsty
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Difficulty tasting, chewing, swallowing, or speaking
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
If you feel that you have severe xerostomia that is not getting better, see a doctor immediately. Remember, everyone's body is different. So, don't hesitate to consult a doctor to check your health.
Cause
What are the causes of dry mouth?
There are many reasons for dry mouth. However, dehydration is often the main cause of a person experiencing xerostomia.
Low fluid intake can affect the body's production of saliva. This little saliva triggers xerostomia.
Apart from dehydration, other causes of xerostomia or dry mouth include:
1. Stress
Stress, anxiety, and depression can all be factors in causing you to experience xerostomia.
When under stress, you may tend to sweat more and urinate more frequently. Both of these things will decrease the supply of fluids in the body. As a result, it is easier for you to experience this dry mouth condition.
Without realizing it, people also tend to breathe through their mouth when they are under stress. Oral breathing can dry out the mouth.
2. Take certain drugs
There are many drugs that can affect the production of saliva in the mouth. Therefore, any of the drugs you are currently taking could be the cause of xerostomia.
High blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anesthetics are some of the drugs that have a side effect of dry mouth. Some antihistamines, decongestants, and muscle pain medications can also cause this condition.
3. Cancer therapy
One of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is dry mouth. This is because these cancer treatments can change the nature and amount of saliva in the mouth.
Therefore, people with cancer are more prone to experience xerostomia.
4. Certain diseases
Dry mouth can be a sign of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and stroke. Autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome or HIV / AIDS can also cause xerostomia.
5. Nerve damage
Injury to the head and neck can also cause xerostomia. This is because the nerves in the head and neck have a role to send signals to the salivary glands to be able to produce saliva.
If both nerves are damaged, saliva production can be disturbed. As a result, the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases and causes xerostomia.
6. Drink alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic. This means that alcohol can make you urinate more frequently.
That is why, if you drink too much alcohol, dehydration can occur. Lack of fluids can cause a series of symptoms such as xerostomia or dry mouth, headaches, and fatigue.
7. Smoking
The dangers of smoking for the lungs and heart are no longer in doubt. However, what about oral health?
Just like alcohol, smoking can also cause xerostomia. The chemical content in cigarettes can slow down saliva production. This little saliva can cause xerostomia and even bad breath.
Dry mouth due to smoking can also be triggered by exhaling cigarette smoke from your mouth.
8. Snoring
The habit of snoring can also make the mouth, tongue and throat feel very dry.
Vibration in the respiratory tract due to obstruction during sleep makes the throat dry. Not to mention, during sleep the supply of saliva will also decrease to moisturize the mouth. So your mouth and throat tend to be drier when you wake up.
9. Aging
Basically, as you get older your mouth will be easier to dry out. This can be caused by a number of factors, for example because inadequate nutritional intake and a history of chronic disease can be the trigger factors.
Not only that, the reduced ability of the body to process certain drugs can also cause you to experience xerostomia.
10. Drug abuse
Shabu drugs or also known as methamphetamine is a narcotic that is very addictive. Apart from causing addiction, methamphetamine also triggers a series of uncomfortable reactions in the body, one of which is xerostomia.
Marijuana, also known as marijuana, causes similar side effects.
If you often experience dry mouth that does not heal, consult a doctor immediately.
Risk factors
What increases my risk for xerostomia (dry mouth)?
Some of the risk factors for xerostomia are:
- Stress
- Anxious
- Depression
- Smoke
- Aging
- You are severely dehydrated
- Drink mostly alcohol
- Breathe through your mouth
- Drug abuse
- Are undergoing cancer therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy
- Have a history of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatism, Sjogren's syndrome, or HIV / AIDS
- Have a history of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and Addison's disease
- Take certain medications
Drugs & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How doctors diagnose xerostomia (dry mouth)
If your xerostomia doesn't heal, don't hesitate to consult a general practitioner or dentist. The first thing the doctor will do is ask about your medical history.
While the doctor checks, tell all the medicines you are taking. Whether it's drugs with or without a doctor's prescription, vitamins, supplements, to herbal medicines.
Your doctor may order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Other tests may also be recommended to measure how much saliva is in your mouth.
If you think you have Sjogren's syndrome, your doctor will take a biopsy sample of the salivary glands to test.
What are the treatment options for xerostomia (dry mouth)
Dry mouth is not a serious medical problem. Often times this condition is easily treated with a number of simple ways such as drinking lots of water.
However, the doctor may also perform a number of medications and drugs to treat xerostomia or dry mouth. Some of them include:
Prescribing certain drugs
If the dry mouth is caused by medication, the doctor may adjust the dose or change to another medication to control this dry mouth condition.
Your doctor can prescribe the drug pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) to help stimulate the work of the salivary glands. Both of these drugs work to stimulate certain nerves to increase the amount of saliva. That way, the mouth feels more comfortable in speaking and swallowing.
Your doctor may also prescribe a moisturizing gel or mouthwash containing xylitol to help relieve this condition.
Be diligent in cleaning your teeth
The condition of xerostomia or dry mouth can cause a number of mouth disorders. Especially if you previously did not apply good dental hygiene, resulting in cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath.
Your doctor may ask you to be more diligent in brushing your teeth using toothpaste that contains fluoride.
In addition, you may also be advised by your doctor to rinse your mouth with chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Chlorhexidine mouthwash should not be used frequently because it can discolor teeth. Use this remedy several times a week to help prevent and control caries.
Home remedies
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with xerostomia or dry mouth:
1. Drink lots of water
One easy yet effective way to treat xerostomia is to drink lots of water. Not only can you overcome dry mouth, drinking lots of water can also meet your body's fluid needs.
So, don't forget to always have a water bottle with you wherever you go.
2. Stop smoking
To keep your mouth problems from getting worse, try to quit smoking. Chewing sugar-free gum can help divert the urge to smoke a cigarette.
Chewing gum can also help stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth moist.
3. Maintain oral health
In order to be free from dry mouth, you must be diligent in caring for oral health. Use toothpaste with fluoride content. Fluoride can help treat dry mouth as well as protect teeth from decay.
Don't forget, floss your teeth and make regular visits to the doctor to prevent dry mouth and tooth decay.
4. Gargle
Gargle with routine use mouthwash also effective for moisturizing the mouth and freshen breath. However, make sure you choose the right type of mouthwash.
Mouthwash containing xylitol can be used to help stimulate saliva and treat xerostomia or dry mouth.
Instead, avoid mouthwash that contains alcohol. Alcohol can actually dry out your mouth even more.
5. Use a humidifier
Use a humidifier to help humidify the air in the room. This method is effective for treating dry mouth because you breathe through your mouth while you sleep. That way, your mouth will feel more moist when you wake up in the morning.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
