Introduction
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia and salivary gland hypofunction, is the feeling of extreme dryness and puffiness in the mouth, and it is caused due to the lack of salivary secretion. If you suffer from dry mouth, you may feel a burning sensation and also face difficulty swallowing dry foods. If left untreated, dry mouth may adversely affect your oral health and impair the digestive system.
Symptoms of dry mouth
- Difficulty in eating and swallowing dry foods
- Sore throat
- Sticky feeling in the mouth
- Thick saliva
- Bad breath
- Cracked lips
Causes of dry mouth
In general, dry mouth is caused by the dysfunction of the salivary glands, resulting in a decrease in the amount or quality of saliva produced. Dryness of the mouth is not a disease by itself, but it could manifest as the symptom of a particular disease condition or a side effect of certain medications. Some of the primary causes are as follows:
- Side effects of some medicines such as antihistamines, Antihypertensives, Antidepressants, Anticholinergics, Antipsychotics, Sedatives, Analgesics, Muscle relaxants, Diuretics, Anticonvulsants
- It could be an indication of Sjögren’s syndrome, connective tissue diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic active hepatitis, HIV, anxiety, depression and diabetes.
- Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may damage the salivary glands.
When should you consult a doctor if you have a dry mouth?
It is highly recommended to visit your healthcare provider or dentist for dry mouth when you start experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Uncontrolled thirst
- Altered sense of taste
- Higher incidence of dental caries
- Long-standing hoarseness of voice and persistent sore throat
- Speech difficulty.
Remedies/treatment options for dry mouth
If you are experiencing dry mouth, your doctor may assess the severity by questionnaires and laboratory tests for salivary measurements and flow rate.
Additional blood tests like complete blood count, thyroid function study and blood glucose, ESR, C-reactive protein level, rheumatoid factor and imaging tests may help diagnose the underlying diseases.
The treatment options depend on the exact cause of the disease. Some of them are as follows:
- Manage underlying systemic disorders
- Modify medications that are causing dry mouth.
- Provide artificial saliva and moisturising gels in sprays, liquids, lozenges (chewable tablets) and salivary substitutes.
- Diet and habit modifications to manage dryness of mouth
- Medicines such as Sialogogues drugs (medications that promote salivary secretions)
Conclusion
Reduced or absent salivary flow is the leading cause of dry mouth. The most frequent cause appears to be concurrent medication, but it may also develop as a side effect of systemic disease, autoimmune diseases or radiation therapy. The condition can be very uncomfortable, but if you take enough care and appropriate steps, it is easily manageable.
