What is Dry Mouth Syndrome?

The Importance of Saliva

We tend to take the role of saliva in oral health for granted. Saliva helps us to chew and swallow food, and is an important source of minerals for teeth. By creating an alkaline environment in the mouth, saliva inhibits the growth of bacteria. The natural movement of saliva in the mouth also helps to clean the spaces in between teeth.

Dry Mouth Syndrome, or Xerostomia, is a dental condition where there is not enough saliva to keep a person’s mouth wet. While we all experience a dry mouth from time to time due to stress or dehydration, a persistent dry mouth can make otherwise simple acts like chewing, swallowing and even talking extremely difficult.

Dry Mouth Syndrome is a result or symptom of other oral diseases that cause saliva production to slow down or stop.

What Causes Dry Mouth Syndrome?

Dry Mouth Syndrome can be caused by many different factors. Some common reasons for salivary gland dysfunction are:

Medication Side Effects: There are many medications which could cause dry mouth. This is especially common in older people on medications for diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and others.

People with anaemia, cystic fibrosis, HIV or even high blood pressure experience xerostomia. Conditions that cause loss of body fluids can also cause Dry Mouth Syndrome. High fever and diarrhoea can adversely affect salivary glands.

Nerve damage caused by a traumatic injury to the head and neck can affect the salivary glands. Heavy smoking and alcohol use can also cause Dry Mouth Syndrome.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth Syndrome

If you are experiencing any of the following persistent symptoms, consult your orthodontist for a thorough diagnosis.

• Frequent thirst, even after drinking water.
• Burning or tingling of the tongue.
• Redness or soreness of the tongue.Sores in mouth or at corners of lips
• Difficulty swallowing
• Problems with taste
• Sore throat and hoarseness
• Bad breath
• Problems with speech
• Dry nasal passages
• Dry, cracked lips
• Increase in dental problems, such as cavities and periodontal disease
• Difficulty wearing dentures
• Repeated yeast infections in the mouth

To determine the cause of Xerostomia, your dentist will ask you about your medical history and your symptoms to accurately identify the cause.

Treatment of Dry Mouth Syndrome

The treatment of Dry Mouth syndrome involves relieving symptoms by identifying the underlying condition, preventing tooth decay and finding ways to increase the flow of saliva. If you believe the cause is medication, do not stop or replace a medicine without consulting a healthcare professional who can help identify appropriate replacements.

Here are some ways to manage a dry mouth:

• Stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water
• Stay away from dehydrating liquids such as alcohol, aerated drinks and coffee
• Sugarless gum or candy can help stimulate the salivary glands.
• Tobacco dehydrates the mouth and should be avoided.
• Humidity helps alleviate dryness, especially at night. Use a humidifier to for a more comfortable sleep.
• Salty and spicy foods can aggravate dryness of the mouth.

Practicing good oral health by brushing and flossing daily is an important aspect of the treatment.

General & Family Dentistry Clinic

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