Expert advice to help you cure dry mouth (Xerostomia)
Dry mouth may not be your only concern. Xerostomia, or commonly known as dry mouth, is usually the result of a number of conditions or situations. Most commonly, dry mouth is a result of dehydration or a side effect of oral medications. It can also be associated as a result of damage to salivary glands though injury, surgical damage, or head/neck radiation therapy. It is associated with a number of diseases including Sjogren’s Syndrome. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco contribute to dry mouth as does mouth breathing. Beyond the uncomfortable feeling of dry mouth, lack of treating the reason and symptoms can lead to more oral health issues. Keep in mind this advice to help cure your dry mouth.
Do
- consult with your medical and/or dental provider
- regular consumption of water
- make sure you are performing effective oral hygiene
- ask your doctor about prescription medication
- use over the counter aides to help stimulate salivary flow
Don't
- ignore the signs and symptoms of dry mouth
- smoke or use smokeless tobacco
- drink too much caffeine or alcoholic beverages
- use oral hygiene mouth rinses
- mouth breath
Do consult with your medical and/or dental provider
This will allow you to discuss your symptoms and development of a diagnosis for your dry mouth. If your dry mouth is a side effect of a medication, your physician may change the dose of your medication or change it to one that may not have that side effect. Do not change your medications without first consulting with your doctor. This will allow your doctor to determine if your dry mouth is related to an undiagnosed medical condition.
Do regular consumption of water
Drinking plenty of water helps moisten the oral cavity as well as rehydrate you. Daily water consumption is paramount for good health as water makes up 60% of our body weight. How much water a person should consume daily depends on several factors including exercise levels, environment (hot or cold), illness or medical condition. Considering the average person in a temperate climate daily consumption of water should be between 2.2 liters (9 cups) for females and 3.0 liters (13 cups) for males.
Do make sure you are performing effective oral hygiene
Make certain you are brushing and flossing as instructed by your dentist as well as being seen regularly for dental exam and professional cleaning. People suffering from dry mouth are at greater risk of cavities and gum inflammation. Regular use of fluoride is recommended as well.
Do ask your doctor about prescription medication
There is prescription medication available through your doctor to stimulate salivary flow. Currently there are two drugs on the market that are classified as saliva stimulants. They are Salagen and Evoxac. Both drugs stimulate the central nervous system to increase salivary flow.
Do use over the counter aides to help stimulate salivary flow
Over the counter aides include artificial saliva substitutes as well as the use of sugar free candy/gum. Eating raw vegetables can also help to increase saliva. The use of over the counter products are used to help stimulate natural salivary flow. When we prepare to consume food our brain sends signals to our salivary glands to increase the production of saliva. The act of chewing also helps stimulate salivary glands. Use of the listed OTC products naturally stimulates salivary flow to combat dry mouth.
Do not ignore the signs and symptoms of dry mouth
Ignoring the signs and symptoms can lead to additional problems like tooth decay, gingivitis, and fungal infections. It may also be the result of a serious undiagnosed medical condition. Failing to find a resource to stimulate or replace saliva creates an environment that is a risk for bacterial growth which results in increased cavity rates and severity. If not treated early extensive cavities can require extensive dental care to restore or unfortunately tooth loss. Gum tissues can become more easily inflamed and result in irreversible damage to the supporting structures of the teeth resulting in tooth loss.
Do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco
Smoking and using smokeless tobacco will make your dry mouth worse as well as contribute to additional systemic disease. Dry mouth is a great reason, if you needed another one, to quit smoking or chewing.
Do not drink too much caffeine or alcoholic beverages
Coffee, tea, sodas, and alcoholic beverages can dry the oral tissues and contribute to dry mouth. If you feel like you are drinking too much of these, cut down on them to see if it helps.
Do not use oral hygiene mouth rinses
Many over the counter mouth rinses have a high concentration of alcohol which has a drying effect on oral tissues. Try not to use mouthwash that contains alcohol if you find yourself having dry mouth after using it.
Do not mouth breath
You should determine if you are have a mouth breathing habit. Mouth breathing has a drying effect on oral tissues as well as contributes to gum inflammation. Many people mouth breath at night, which can cause them to wake up in the middle of the night with a bad case of dry mouth. Consult with your periodontist and/or dentist about ways to help you stop this habit.
Summary
Don’t feel alone if you are suffering from dry mouth. Seek help from your medical and dental professional to reduce your symptoms as well as avoid additional painful and costly results of dry mouth.
