What is Dry Mouth? [Symptoms, Causes, Treatment]

At some point or another, you’ve probably had a sensation of “cotton mouth.” This feeling of dryness within your oral cavity can instantly make you become thirsty. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common oral issue that can have detrimental effects on your smile and overall health. According to research published in Pharmacy Times, dry mouth impacts from 0.9% to 64.8% of the general population in America.

A lack of adequate saliva production can result in trouble speaking, chewing, swallowing. It can also put you at higher risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath, mouth sores, and many other issues. This article will give complete information about symptoms, causes, treatments, and tips for dry mouth.

Symptoms of Dry Mouth

Mouth Dryness Sensation

The sensation of dryness in the mouth is often a tell-tale sign that something is going on in the body resulting in a lack of saliva production. Inadequate amounts of saliva in the mouth will make it harder for you to perform normal functions like speaking and eating.

Difficulty Chewing/Talking

Saliva helps to lubricate the oral cavity, which aids in your ability to speak and swallow the foods you enjoy. Saliva is necessary to avoid damaging your oral tissues.

Sensation of Burning

The sensation of burning as a result of dry mouth can be a painful experience. This feeling can be apparent on your tongue, lips, the roof of your mouth, or other arear within the mouth and throat.

Altered Sense of Taste

Dry mouth may change the way your taste buds respond to the foods and beverages you consume. Individuals with dry mouth often cannot taste things as well, as saliva impacts taste sensitivity.

Denture-Related Issues

A lack of saliva can result in problems for individuals wearing dentures. It may result in trouble keeping the dentures in, oral sores, and oral infection.

Dryness Sensation in the Nose

Dryness within your sinuses can occur without proper moisture, which can impact your mouth and nasal cavity. This can be uncomfortable and also trigger nosebleeds and trouble breathing.

Throat Soreness

Dry mouth can result in a sore throat due to inadequate saliva production. As mentioned, this can make chewing and swallowing difficult and uncomfortable.

Split Lips

Your lips can become dry in connection with dry mouth, leading to sores and breakage of the skin.

Thickened Saliva

A common symptom of dry mouth is stringy or thickened saliva. Fluid intake can help thin the saliva and alleviate this uncomfortable sign.

Increased Thirst

Increased thirst is often a sign of dehydration. It is necessary to stay hydrated with water to produce the proper amount of saliva needed for daily function.

Dehydrated Tongue

Dry mouth can also cause your tongue to feel dry, swollen, and irritated. This is a common sign that there is not enough saliva production.

Mouth Sores

Oral sores may be caused by decreased saliva production. Saliva helps function to keep the mouth lubricated and contains minerals that help protect the mouth from oral lesions.

Oral Infections

Saliva is a natural fighter against tooth decay, as it helps to neutralize harmful acids produced by oral bacteria. It also helps to remineralize your tooth enamel, making it stronger.

Bad Breath

An accumulation of bacteria often causes bad breath, also referred to as halitosis. Without adequate salivary flow, bacteria and food remnants tend to stick on teeth and in the mouth which tends to cause a smelly odor.

Causes of Dry Mouth

Medication

Certain medications have been found to cause dry mouth. This side effect is common in medications aimed to treat depression, anxiety, allergies, high blood pressure, and asthma. It is important to inform your dental professional of your medical history and list current medications.

Saliva Gland Removal

When one salivary gland is removed, dry mouth is not typically a result, as other salivary glands can still provide adequate saliva production.

Removal of a salivary gland doesn't affect overall saliva production, but radiation therapy often causes dry mouth, which can increase your risk for cavities and mouth infections.

Breathing or Snoring Issues

Trouble breathing and snoring can cause you to have your mouth open for extended periods of time, causing saliva to evaporate. This can lead to dry mouth and sore throat.

Injury or Surgery

Traumatic injury or surgical procedures could result in damage to salivary glands that impact saliva production.

Physical Activity Outcomes

Exercise can result in loss of fluids from the body, causing dry mouth. It is important to stay hydrated during physical activity.

Stress or Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can result in hormonal changes that impact saliva production. For instance, increased cortisol levels impact saliva composition, stimulating dry mouth.

Sugar Level Disorder

Research has reported a potential link between uncontrolled diabetes and dry mouth. Persistent dry mouth can increase the likelihood of infection, which could potentially worsen other health conditions like diabetes.

Dehydration

When you’re dehydrated, there is not enough fluids to help your body function properly. One consequence is less saliva production causing dry mouth.

Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatment, including radiation therapy and certain medications can trigger dry mouth. Radiation may temporarily or permanently damage the salivary glands, which has a direct impact on saliva production.

Nerve Damage

Damaged nerves following an injury or surgical procedure can result in dry mouth.

Smoking & Drinking Impact

Tobacco and marijuana use, as well as alcohol use can limit saliva production as a side effect.

Treatments for Dry Mouth

Changing Medications

Your doctor may recommend altering your medications to help eliminate dry mouth. Do not make changes to your medications without consulting a medical professional.

Boosting Saliva Secretion

A doctor may prescribe medications aimed to stimulate saliva production, including pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac). Other methods such as increasing water intake and chewing on sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva secretion.

Replacing Lost Secretion

Your dental professionals may recommend replacing lost saliva secretion with solutions that are designed to mimic saliva.

Treating Tooth Decay

As mentioned, dry mouth increases the risk of tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious health issues. Visit your dentist for treatment of tooth decay and dry mouth.

Treating Infections

Visiting the dentist is necessary to help identify and treat oral infections before problems worsen. Treating infections can help eliminate symptoms of dry mouth and improve your overall well-being.

Saliva Flow Test

A saliva flow test, also known as sialometry, is an easy technique designed to measure the flow rate of saliva. This can help identify if there is a problem with the quantity of saliva being produced.

Dye X-Ray Procedure

Sialography involves the use of an X-ray to evaluate the salivary glands and ducts to determine if there are any blockages or other issues.

Tissue Sample Analysis

A tissue sample analysis or biopsy involves a small sample of salivary gland tissue being obtained to evaluate for diagnosis.

Preventing Dry Mouth

• Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks. These items can increase your risk of experiencing dry mouth, tooth decay, and many other problems. These items can also worsen symptoms when you have existing dry mouth.
• Chew sugar-free gum to help stimulate saliva production.
• Brush your teeth using a fluoride toothpaste.
• Rinse your mouth with a fluoride containing mouth rinse that is alcohol-free.
• Quit smoking to help improve overall health.
• Visit your dentist at least twice a year for early detection and maintenance of dental conditions.
• Check with your doctor to determine if dry mouth is a side effect of any of the medications you are taking.
• Avoid mouth-breathing which can dry out your mouth and increase your risk of developing cavities.
• Try using a humidifier to add moisture to the air.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Consulting with your dental professional is beneficial and necessary to maintain a healthy smile. If you are experiencing symptoms of dry mouth, your dentist can help determine the necessary course of action to help resolve this condition. They will perform a thorough examination and take into consideration your medical and dental history. If necessary, they may refer you to a medical professional, such as an ENT specialist, to help with diagnosis and treatment of dry mouth.

Conclusion

Dry mouth is a common condition that occurs when there is not enough saliva to function normally. Saliva is necessary to lubricate the oral cavity, neutralize harmful acids, and wash away food particles and debris, among many other important properties. Dry mouth causes commonly include certain medications, alcohol and tobacco use, stress, breathing issues, dehydration, and certain health conditions. It is often characterized by symptoms such as bad breath, trouble chewing and speaking, altered taste, oral sores and infection, split lips, burning sensation, among others.

Without adequate saliva, you are at greater risk of developing tooth decay, gum disease, and many other health issues. If you believe you are experiencing dry mouth, be sure to inform your dentist or physician for proper diagnosis and treatment. Dry mouth treatment can include saliva substitutes, saliva stimulants like chewing sugar-free gum, and proper oral hygiene techniques. a burning sensation or soreness in your mouth.