Guide to Dry Mouth (Sjogrens)

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Guide to Dry Mouth

From National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Part 1 of 4 - What is Dry Mouth? Why is Saliva So Important?

Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while, if they are nervous, upset

or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the

time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health

problems.

Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to

keep your mouth wet. The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia

(ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah).

Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have

dry mouth, see your dentist or physician, there are things you can

do to get relief.

Dry mouth:

Can be a sign of certain diseases and conditions, such as Sjogren's

syndrome

Can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking

Can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other

infections in the mouth

Can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments

Symptoms of dry mouth include:

a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking

a burning feeling in the mouth

a dry feeling in the throat

cracked lips

a dry, tough tongue

mouth sores

an infection in the mouth

Why is saliva so important?

Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet:

It helps digest food

It protects teeth from decay

It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth

It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow

Without enough saliva you can develop tooth decay or other

infections in the mouth. You also might not get the nutrients you

need if you cannot chew and swallow certain foods

Part 2 of 4 - What Causes Dry Mouth?

People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva

are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough

saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why the

salivary glands might not be working right.

Disease - Sjogren's Syndrome is a major cause of dry mouth.

Take the: Sjogren's Syndrome Screening Quiz.

Other disorders can also cause dry mouth or affect the salivary

glands. Some people feel a dry mouth even if their salvary glands

are working correctly. Some with certain diseases, like Parkinson's

disease or those who have suffered a stroke, may not be able to feel

wetness in their mouth and may think their mouth is dry even though

it is not.

Side effects of some medicines - More than 400 medicines can cause

the salivary glands to make less saliva. However, don't stop taking

them without asking your doctor, your dose may have already have

been adjusted to help protect you against drying side effects or

chosen a drug that's least likely to cause dryness.

These include:

Antihistamines

Decongestants

Diuretics

Some antidiarrhea drugs

Some antipsychotic drugs

Tranquilizers

Some blood pressure medicines

Antidepressants

Radiation therapy - The salivary glands can be damaged if they are

exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy - Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker,

causing dry mouth.

Nerve damage - Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that

tell salivary glands to make saliva.

Part 3 of 4 - What Can Be Done About Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If

you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or

she can try to determine what is causing your dry mouth.

If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change

your medicine or adjust the dosage.

If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce

some saliva, your physician or dentist might give you a medicine

that helps the glands work better.

Your physician or dentist might suggest that you use artificial

saliva to keep your mouth wet.

What else can I do?

Sip water or sugarless drinks often. You should only take sips of

water, drinking large amounts of liquid will not make your mouth any

less dry. It will make you urinate more often and may strip your

mouth of mucus, causing even more dryness.

Avoid drinks with caffeine. Drinks such as coffee, tea, and some

sodas that contain caffeine can dry out the mouth.

Sip water or a sugarless drink during meals. This will make chewing

and swallowing easier. It may also improve the taste of food.

Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate

saliva flow. Flavors such as citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored

candies are good choices. Take note, they must be sugar free because

dry mouth makes you extremely prone to cavities.

Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They tend to dry out the mouth.

Avoid certain foods. Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause

pain in a dry mouth.

Use a humidifier at night.

Part 4 of 4 - Better Oral Health: Tips For Keeping Your Teeth

Healthy

Remember, if you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to

keep your teeth healthy.

Make sure you:

Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day.

Floss your teeth every day.

Use toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery

and drug stores have fluoride in them.

Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately

afterwards.

Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. Your

dentist might give you a special fluoride solution that you can

rinse with to help keep your teeth healthy.