DRY MOUTH

Dry mouth refers to any condition in which your mouth is unusually dry. Most often, dry mouth is the result of a decrease in saliva produced by the glands in your mouth (salivary glands), and it’s frequently a side effect of medication. Less often, dry mouth may be caused by a condition that directly affects the salivary glands.

Dry mouth is a common problem. It can range from being merely a nuisance to something that has a major impact on your general health and the health of your teeth, as well as your appetite and enjoyment of food.

Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria, limiting bacterial growth and washing away food particles. Saliva also enhances your ability to taste and makes it easier to swallow. In addition, enzymes in saliva aid in digestion.

If you’re not producing enough saliva, you may notice these signs and symptoms all or most of the time:

  • Dryness in your mouth or throat
  • Saliva that seems thick and stringy
  • Bad breath
  • Difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing
  • A changed sense of taste
  • Problems wearing dentures
  • More frequent tooth decay
  • Gum irritation and gum disease

In addition, dry mouth may result in lipstick sticking to the teeth.

If you’ve noticed persistent dry mouth signs and symptoms, see your family doctor or dentist.

DIAGNOSIS

To determine if you have dry mouth, your doctor or dentist likely will examine your mouth and review your medical history and all medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications.

Sometimes you may need blood tests, imaging scans of your salivary glands or tests that measure how much saliva you produce to identify the cause of your dry mouth. If your doctor suspects your dry mouth is caused by Sjogren’s syndrome (an immune system disorder), a small sample of cells (biopsy) taken from salivary glands in your lip may be sent for testing.

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

Your treatment depends on the cause of your dry mouth. Your doctor or dentist may:

  • Change medications that cause dry mouth. If your doctor believes medication to be the cause, he or she may adjust your dosage or switch you to another medication that doesn’t cause a dry mouth.
  • Recommend products to moisturize your mouth. These can include prescription or over-the-counter mouth rinses, artificial saliva or moisturizers to lubricate your mouth.

If you have severe dry mouth, your doctor or dentist may:

  • Prescribe medication that stimulates saliva. Your doctor may consider prescribing pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) to stimulate saliva production.
  • Protect your teeth. To prevent cavities, your dentist might fit you for fluoride trays, which you fill with fluoride and wear over your teeth for a few minutes at night. Your dentist may also recommend weekly use of a chlorhexidine rinse to control cavities.

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