Xerostomia
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a problem that many people struggle with daily. The sensation of dry mouth can make functions like swallowing food or speaking more difficult.
Xerostomia causes tooth decay to develop more quickly, as the lack of saliva prevents teeth from cleaning themselves naturally and, in addition, the buffering effect of saliva, which neutralizes the acidity produced after eating, is lost.
Untreated xerostomia also causes bad breath. Dry mouth is a condition that makes swallowing, eating, and speaking uncomfortable. It's a condition in which not enough saliva is produced to keep the mouth moist, and it's often a result of medication you may be taking. Consult your doctor if you think this may be the case. This doesn't mean you should stop taking your medication, but we do recommend that you talk to your doctor about your dry mouth.
Symptoms of dry mouth include:
- Dry and sticky mouth sensation.
- Burning sensation in the mouth or tongue, and sometimes the tongue feels like it is made of cork
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Dry lips, and presence of sores in the mouth or throat
Factors for dry mouth include:
- Medication: There are more than 500 medications that have dry mouth as a side effect. Ask your doctor.
- Sjögren's syndrome: In this syndrome, dry mouth occurs in combination with dry eyes.
- Diabetes – poor glycemic control has been associated with dry mouth.
- VIH o sida
- Depression
- Poorly controlled high blood pressure
- Alzheimer's disease
- Addison's disease
- Alcoholic cirrhosis
- Generalized dehydration and infection of salivary glands
- Years of arthritis
If you have persistent dry mouth, you're at greater risk of developing a fungal or viral infection. You're also more likely to develop mouth ulcers, as a simple rub can cause a wound. There are products available at pharmacies that can help combat dryness.
Tips to gain comfort and improve dry mouth:
- Sip water throughout the day and carry a water bottle with you to take sips to rehydrate your mouth.
- Avoid drinking a lot of water at once and at extreme temperatures (very hot or very cold).
- Drink only sugar-free beverages and avoid carbonated drinks.
- Avoid caffeinated beverages because caffeine can dry out your mouth. Drinking coffee, tea, or diet soda occasionally is fine, but don't overindulge.
- While you're eating, be sure to drink water. Drink water before, during, and after meals.
- Chew sugar-free gum with or without xylitol, or suck on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva secretion.
- If you smoke or drink alcohol, quit. Both alcohol and smoking dry out your mouth and also make you more susceptible to periodontal disease and oral cancer.
- Choose alcohol-free mouthwashes if you like to use them. Read the ingredients and make sure they don't contain alcohol.
- Try using a humidifier at night.
