Everybody has complained of having a dry mouth when distressed, such as during a difficult job search or oral presentation. Xerostomia is a disorder caused by a reduction in saliva production, and it may be present if your mouth consistently looks like the Sahara Desert. Saliva is essential to maintaining healthy oral hygiene because it helps keep the mouth, counteracts acids that damage tooth enamel, and assists in killing oral bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, it improves absorption and your perception of taste. Here are some details regarding this problem that can negatively impact your quality of life and the health of your mouth, digestive system, and breathing.
The causes of reduced saliva flow are most frequently as follows:
Causes of Dry Mouth
- Lifestyle: Bad behaviors might make your mouth feel dry. The following are risk factors for xerostomia: cigarettes or using other tobacco and alcohol; beer consumption; excessive caffeine intake; and mouth breathing.
- Salivary ducts that are obstructed or damaged can occur in some people due to a genetic predisposition. Salivary glands can be damaged and have reduced function due to radiation and chemotherapy for cancer.
- Medical Conditions: Dry mouth can be caused by several medical conditions, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, anemia, hypertension, and HIV. The mouth may also feel thirsty from medical conditions dehydrating the body, such as infections involving fever and diarrhea.
- Medical Treatments: Xerostomia may be a side effect of blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, cancer chemotherapy antihistamines, and radiation therapies, as well as several other frequently prescribed medicines.
Symptoms of Xerostomia
Many others have more severe illnesses, which include trouble speaking, tasting, and swallowing. In moderate cases of the ailment, you may merely feel a minor dryness in your mouth and encounter lousy breath. Lips sometimes become chapped and dry without saliva, and ulcers may form inside the mouth. Additionally, it’s possible to get tongue burning and oral yeast infections. A dry mouth can cause dental problems, severe tooth loss, and difficulty using dentures correctly if ignored.
You might try the following strategies to increase salivation if lifestyle choices bring on your issue:
Self-Care For Dry Mouth
- Be sure to stay hydrated.
- You will have to quit Smoking.
- Steer clear of foods and drinks that dehydrate you, including salt, beer, and coffee.
- eat sugar-free hard candy
- To prevent your teeth from dental erosion and decay, use fluoride toothpaste when brushing.
- Check to be sure that your mouthwash is alcohol-free.
- Use a mouthwash or gel on the market intended to hydrate the mouth.
When To Seek Professional Care for Xerostomia
You should visit your dentist to find out if you require more dental care, including taking prescription medicine to increase saliva production if at-home care doesn’t help you relieve your dry mouth. If a medical condition or a medication causes your dry mouth, consult your doctor about changing your new treatment.