Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Sounds like such an innocent little phrase, doesn't it?  Thought to be a leading cause of bad breath, dry mouth occurs when saliva production is reduced and carries its own nasty little package of problems.

The medical term for dry mouth is "xerostomia" (pronounced ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah).  Saliva performs vital work in your body.  It aids in digestion by using the enzymes to help break up different foods. Now you know why you should thoroughly chew all your food - let that saliva start the digestive process properly.

Saliva also makes it easier to talk. Did you ever try to whistle with a dry mouth.

You may not realize that saliva can also help to prevent tooth decay by rinsing away food particles from between the teeth as well as the gums.  Saliva also helps you taste the food you eat and makes it easier for you to swallow that food.  It is also known for neutralizing any damaging acids.

Saliva components

Saliva is the viscous, clear, watery fluid secreted from the parotid, sub maxillary, sublingual and smaller mucous glands of the mouth. Saliva contains two major types of protein secretions, a serous secretion containing the digestive enzyme ptyalin and a mucous secretion containing the lubricating aid mucin. The pH of saliva falls between 6 and 7.4.

Dry mouth is an original hidden cause of gum disease and tooth loss in three out of every 10 adults.  If left untreated, xerostomia decreases the oral pH and significantly increases the development of plaque.  

Oral candidiasis is one of the most common oral infections seen in association with dry mouth.

Dehydration resulting from impaired water intake, such as vomiting or diarrhea can result in dry mouth. Depression, anxiety, stress or fear, can also result in xerostomia. Alzheimer's disease or stroke may alter the ability of a person to recognize oral sensations.

Dry mouth is often intensified by activities such as hyperventilation, breathing through the mouth, smoking or drinking alcohol. 

Sjögren's syndrome (SS)

The most common disease causing xerostomia is Sjögren's syndrome (SS), a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that occurs predominantly in postmenopausal women.

It is estimated that as many as 3 percent of Americans suffer from Sjögren's syndrome, with 90 percent of these patients being women.

SS is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in dry mouth and dry eyes. This combination is called the sicca complex. Enlargement of major salivary glands occurs in about one-third of patients with SS.  There is no cure for the disease.

The goal of therapy is to manage symptoms. Common symptoms associated with SS, in addition to dry mouth, include blurred vision, recurrent eye and mouth infections,  difficulty swallowing, oral soreness, smell and taste alternations, fissures on the tongue and lips, fatigue, dry nasal passages and throat, constipation and vaginal dryness.

Saliva stimulants or sialagogues, such as sugarless candies and chewing gum, may be used to stimulate saliva flow when functional salivary glands remain.

 Eating foods such as carrots or celery may also help patients with residual salivary gland function. Addition of flavor enhancers such as herbs, condiments and fruit extracts may make food more palatable to patients complaining of their food tasting bland, papery, salty or otherwise unpleasant.

There are several over-the-counter products that are available to provide assistance in the management of dry mouth. These products range from saliva substitutes and stimulants to products designed to minimize dental problems. Commercially available products come in a variety of formulations including solutions, sprays, gels and lozenges.

The Most Common Causes for Dry Mouth include:

          -Medications - Several hundred current medications can cause dry mouth symptoms. These medications include  antihypertensives, antidepressants, analgesics, tranquilizers, diuretics and antihistamines.

          -Cancer Therapy - Chemotherapeutic drugs can change the flow and composition of the saliva. Radiation treatment that is focused on or near the salivary gland can temporarily or permanently damage the salivary glands.

          -Sjogren's syndrome - An autoimmune disease, causes xerostomia and dry eyes.

          -Nerve Damage - Trauma to the head and neck area from surgery or wounds can damage the nerves that supply sensation to the mouth. While the salivary glands may be left intact, they cannot function normally without the nerves that signal them to produce saliva.

The symptoms of dry mouth can include:

•  Dry, rough tongue
•  Poor sense of taste
•  Burning sensation in your mouth
•  Increased plaque
•  Reduced saliva production

Cure for Dry Mouth

Take frequent sips of water throughout the day and  suck on ice chips. Increasing fluid intake can help to re-hydrate the mouth.  It's important to keep it moist so you don't lose all the benefits provided by saliva production.

Just about everything else such as cola actually contributes to dry mouth and that sugar just eats up your teeth. Alcohol and caffeine dry the mouth - why do you think you keep drinking - your brain is trying to get the saliva production up in your mouth.

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