Dry mouth, also referred to as xerostomia, is a standard situation that may trigger discomfort and a variety of oral well being issues. It happens when the salivary glands within the mouth don’t produce sufficient saliva to maintain the mouth moist.
Saliva is important for sustaining a wholesome mouth. It helps to scrub away meals particles, micro organism, and acids from the tooth and gums, and it additionally helps to lubricate the mouth and make it simpler to talk and swallow.
There are a selection of things that may contribute to dry mouth, together with:
What Causes Dry Mouth
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, might be brought on by a wide range of elements, together with:
- Drugs
- Dehydration
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Diabetes
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- HIV/AIDS
- Most cancers remedy
In case you are experiencing dry mouth, you will need to discuss to your physician or dentist to find out the underlying trigger and obtain acceptable therapy.
Drugs
Many medicines could cause dry mouth as a facet impact. These embody:
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Antihistamines:
These are used to deal with allergy symptoms and colds. They’ll block saliva manufacturing.
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Decongestants:
These are used to deal with congestion and also can block saliva manufacturing.
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Diuretics:
These are used to deal with hypertension and might trigger the mouth to turn into dry.
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Antidepressants:
These are used to deal with melancholy and anxiousness and also can trigger dry mouth.
In case you are taking any of those medicines and are experiencing dry mouth, discuss to your physician about different choices or methods to handle the facet impact.
**Further medicines that may trigger dry mouth embody:** * Chemotherapy medication * Radiation remedy * Antipsychotic medication * Muscle relaxants * Sedatives * Sleeping capsules * Diuretics * Beta-blockers * Calcium channel blockers **In case you are experiencing dry mouth and are taking any of those medicines, discuss to your physician. They are able to modify your dosage or swap you to a special medicine that doesn’t trigger dry mouth as a facet impact.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a situation that happens when you don’t drink sufficient fluids to interchange the water and different fluids that you just lose by means of sweat, urine, and different bodily capabilities. Dehydration could cause quite a few well being issues, together with dry mouth.
If you end up dehydrated, your physique doesn’t have sufficient fluids to provide saliva. Saliva is important for retaining the mouth moist and stopping dry mouth. With out sufficient saliva, the mouth can turn into dry and uncomfortable, and you will have problem talking, swallowing, and chewing.
Dehydration might be brought on by quite a few elements, together with:
- Not ingesting sufficient fluids
- Sweating excessively
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Taking sure medicines, resembling diuretics
- Having a fever
- Exercising vigorously
In case you are experiencing dry mouth, you will need to drink loads of fluids to rehydrate your physique. Water is the only option, however you too can drink different fluids, resembling juice, milk, or sports activities drinks. Keep away from sugary drinks, as these can truly worsen dry mouth.
In case you are dehydrated, you might also expertise different signs, resembling:
- Thirst
- Dry pores and skin
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Darkish urine
In case you are experiencing any of those signs, you will need to drink loads of fluids and see a health care provider in case your signs don’t enhance.
**Tips on how to stop dehydration:** * Drink loads of fluids all through the day, even in case you do not feel thirsty. * Drink extra fluids when you’re exercising or sweating excessively. * Keep away from sugary drinks, as these can truly worsen dehydration. * Eat vegetables and fruit which can be excessive in water content material, resembling watermelon, cucumber, and celery. * Speak to your physician about any medicines you take that will trigger dehydration.
Smoking
Smoking is a significant reason behind dry mouth. The chemical compounds in cigarettes and different tobacco merchandise can harm the salivary glands and scale back saliva manufacturing.
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People who smoke usually tend to expertise dry mouth than non-smokers.
It’s because the chemical compounds in cigarettes and different tobacco merchandise can harm the salivary glands and scale back saliva manufacturing.
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Dry mouth brought on by smoking can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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Smoking also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
It’s because saliva helps to scrub the mouth and take away micro organism.
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Should you smoke and are experiencing dry mouth, you will need to discuss to your physician or dentist.
They may help you develop a plan to stop smoking and handle your dry mouth.
Quitting smoking is one of the best ways to forestall and deal with dry mouth brought on by smoking. Should you need assistance quitting, discuss to your physician or dentist. There are a selection of sources obtainable that can assist you stop smoking, together with:
* The Nationwide Most cancers Institute’s SmokefreeTXT program * The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention’s SmokefreeTXT program * The Nationwide Jewish Well being’s Recent Begin program * The American Lung Affiliation’s Freedom From Smoking program
Alcohol
Alcohol is one other widespread reason behind dry mouth. Alcohol can dehydrate the physique, which may result in a lower in saliva manufacturing.
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Alcohol also can irritate the mouth and throat, which may additional scale back saliva manufacturing.
This will result in a dry, sticky feeling within the mouth.
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Dry mouth brought on by alcohol can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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Alcohol also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
It’s because saliva helps to scrub the mouth and take away micro organism.
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Should you drink alcohol, you will need to drink loads of water to remain hydrated and forestall dry mouth.
You must also keep away from sugary drinks, as these can worsen dry mouth.
In case you are experiencing dry mouth after ingesting alcohol, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
* Drink loads of water. * Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet. * Use a saliva substitute. * Keep away from sugary drinks and meals. * See a health care provider or dentist in case your dry mouth is extreme or doesn’t enhance.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that may be present in espresso, tea, soda, and power drinks. Caffeine could cause dry mouth by lowering saliva manufacturing.
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Caffeine also can have a diuretic impact, which may additional dehydrate the physique and worsen dry mouth.
Because of this you will need to drink loads of fluids when consuming caffeine.
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Dry mouth brought on by caffeine can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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Caffeine also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
It’s because saliva helps to scrub the mouth and take away micro organism.
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Should you devour caffeine and are experiencing dry mouth, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
Drink loads of water, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet, use a saliva substitute, and keep away from sugary drinks and meals.
In case you are experiencing extreme dry mouth or your signs don’t enhance, see a health care provider or dentist.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a continual illness that impacts the physique’s potential to provide or use insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar ranges. Diabetes could cause quite a few well being issues, together with dry mouth.
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Folks with diabetes usually tend to expertise dry mouth than folks with out diabetes.
It’s because excessive blood sugar ranges can harm the salivary glands and scale back saliva manufacturing.
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Dry mouth brought on by diabetes can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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Dry mouth also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
It’s because saliva helps to scrub the mouth and take away micro organism.
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When you’ve got diabetes and are experiencing dry mouth, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
Drink loads of water, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet, use a saliva substitute, and keep away from sugary drinks and meals.
In case you are experiencing extreme dry mouth or your signs don’t enhance, see a health care provider or dentist. They may help you handle your diabetes and develop a plan to alleviate your dry mouth.
Sjögren’s syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune illness that impacts the exocrine glands, which produce fluids resembling saliva and tears. Sjögren’s syndrome could cause quite a few signs, together with dry mouth and dry eyes.
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Sjögren’s syndrome is extra widespread in girls than males.
It normally develops between the ages of 40 and 60.
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Dry mouth is a standard symptom of Sjögren’s syndrome.
It’s because the salivary glands are broken and can’t produce sufficient saliva.
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Dry mouth brought on by Sjögren’s syndrome can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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When you’ve got Sjögren’s syndrome and are experiencing dry mouth, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
Drink loads of water, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet, use a saliva substitute, and keep away from sugary drinks and meals.
There isn’t a remedy for Sjögren’s syndrome, however there are therapies that may assist to handle the signs. Should you suppose you will have Sjögren’s syndrome, discuss to your physician.
HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS is a continual, life-threatening situation brought on by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV assaults the immune system and might result in quite a few well being issues, together with dry mouth.
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Dry mouth is a standard symptom of HIV/AIDS.
It’s because HIV can harm the salivary glands and scale back saliva manufacturing.
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Dry mouth brought on by HIV/AIDS can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with:
Tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush.
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Dry mouth also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
It’s because saliva helps to scrub the mouth and take away micro organism.
-
When you’ve got HIV/AIDS and are experiencing dry mouth, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
Drink loads of water, chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet, use a saliva substitute, and keep away from sugary drinks and meals.
There isn’t a remedy for HIV/AIDS, however there are therapies that may assist to sluggish the development of the illness and forestall problems. Should you suppose you will have HIV/AIDS, discuss to your physician.
Most cancers remedy
Most cancers remedy, resembling chemotherapy and radiation remedy, also can trigger dry mouth. Chemotherapy medication can harm the salivary glands and scale back saliva manufacturing. Radiation remedy to the pinnacle and neck space also can harm the salivary glands and trigger dry mouth.
Dry mouth brought on by most cancers remedy can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush. Dry mouth also can make it tougher to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
In case you are present process most cancers remedy and are experiencing dry mouth, there are some things you are able to do to alleviate your signs:
* Drink loads of water all through the day. * Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet to stimulate saliva manufacturing. * Use a saliva substitute to assist maintain your mouth moist. * Keep away from sugary drinks and meals, as these can worsen dry mouth. * See your dentist recurrently for checkups and cleanings to assist stop oral well being issues.
There are additionally quite a few medicines that can be utilized to deal with dry mouth brought on by most cancers remedy. These medicines may help to extend saliva manufacturing or scale back the unwanted side effects of dry mouth.
In case you are experiencing dry mouth as a facet impact of most cancers remedy, discuss to your physician or dentist. They may help you develop a plan to handle your dry mouth and forestall oral well being issues.
**Further suggestions for managing dry mouth brought on by most cancers remedy:** * Use a humidifier in your house or workplace so as to add moisture to the air. * Keep away from smoking and secondhand smoke. * Rinse your mouth with a baking soda and water answer a number of occasions a day. * Apply petroleum jelly or coconut oil to your lips to maintain them moist. * Keep away from utilizing mouthwashes that comprise alcohol, as these can irritate your mouth and worsen dry mouth.
FAQ
Listed below are some often requested questions on dry mouth:
Query 1: What’s dry mouth?
Reply: Dry mouth, also referred to as xerostomia, is a situation that happens when the salivary glands within the mouth don’t produce sufficient saliva to maintain the mouth moist.
Query 2: What causes dry mouth?
Reply: Dry mouth might be brought on by quite a few elements, together with medicines, dehydration, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and most cancers remedy.
Query 3: What are the signs of dry mouth?
Reply: Signs of dry mouth can embody a dry, sticky feeling within the mouth, problem talking and swallowing, dangerous breath, and a decreased sense of style.
Query 4: How can I stop dry mouth?
Reply: There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall dry mouth, together with ingesting loads of fluids, avoiding sugary drinks and meals, quitting smoking, and utilizing a humidifier.
Query 5: How is dry mouth handled?
Reply: Remedy for dry mouth is dependent upon the underlying trigger. In case your dry mouth is brought on by a medicine, your physician might be able to prescribe a special medicine that doesn’t trigger dry mouth. In case your dry mouth is brought on by a medical situation, resembling diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome, your physician will work with you to handle your situation and relieve your dry mouth.
Query 6: What can I do to alleviate dry mouth?
Reply: There are a selection of issues you are able to do to alleviate dry mouth, together with ingesting loads of water, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free laborious sweet, utilizing a saliva substitute, and avoiding sugary drinks and meals.
Query 7: When ought to I see a health care provider about dry mouth?
Reply: It is best to see a health care provider in case your dry mouth is extreme, if it doesn’t enhance with house therapy, or you probably have different signs, resembling a fever, headache, or rash.
Closing Paragraph: Dry mouth is a standard situation that may be brought on by quite a few elements. There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall and deal with dry mouth. In case you are experiencing dry mouth, discuss to your physician or dentist to find out the underlying trigger and obtain acceptable therapy.
Listed below are some further suggestions for managing dry mouth:
Ideas
Listed below are some suggestions for managing dry mouth:
Tip 1: Drink loads of fluids.
Staying hydrated is important for general well being, and it’s particularly vital for folks with dry mouth. Drink loads of water all through the day, even in case you do not feel thirsty. It’s also possible to drink different fluids, resembling milk, juice, or natural tea.
Tip 2: Keep away from sugary drinks and meals.
Sugary drinks and meals can worsen dry mouth. It’s because sugar stimulates saliva manufacturing, however the impact is barely short-term. As soon as the sugar is gone, your mouth will really feel even drier. It’s best to keep away from sugary drinks and meals altogether, or to devour them sparsely.
Tip 3: Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free laborious sweet.
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free laborious sweet may help to stimulate saliva manufacturing and relieve dry mouth. Simply you should definitely select sugar-free gum and sweet, as sugary merchandise can worsen dry mouth.
Tip 4: Use a humidifier.
A humidifier may help so as to add moisture to the air, which may help to alleviate dry mouth. You need to use a humidifier in your house, workplace, or bed room. You’ll want to clear the humidifier recurrently in keeping with the producer’s directions to forestall the expansion of mould and micro organism.
Closing Paragraph: Dry mouth could be a nuisance, however there are a selection of issues you are able to do to handle it. By following the following tips, you may assist to maintain your mouth moist and cozy.
In case you are experiencing dry mouth, discuss to your physician or dentist to find out the underlying trigger and obtain acceptable therapy.
Conclusion
Dry mouth is a standard situation that may be brought on by quite a few elements, together with medicines, dehydration, smoking, alcohol, caffeine, diabetes, Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and most cancers remedy. Dry mouth can result in quite a few oral well being issues, together with tooth decay, gum illness, and oral thrush. It could possibly additionally make it troublesome to style meals and might trigger dangerous breath.
There are a selection of issues you are able to do to forestall and deal with dry mouth. In case you are experiencing dry mouth, discuss to your physician or dentist to find out the underlying trigger and obtain acceptable therapy. Within the meantime, there are a selection of issues you are able to do to alleviate dry mouth, resembling ingesting loads of fluids, avoiding sugary drinks and meals, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free laborious sweet, and utilizing a humidifier.
Closing Message: Dry mouth is a standard situation, however it may be managed. By following the following tips, you may assist to maintain your mouth moist and cozy.
In case you are involved about dry mouth, discuss to your physician or dentist. They may help you establish the reason for your dry mouth and suggest the most effective therapy choices for you.
