Addressing Chronic Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, MI
Everybody gets a dry mouth from time to time. Temporary mouth dryness can be brought on by dehydration, stress, or simply the normal reduction in saliva flow at night. But persistent mouth dryness, a condition known as xerostomia, is cause for concern. Schaefer Dental Group can help you diagnose and manage this condition in Lansing, Michigan.
Xerostomia occurs when your salivary glands, which normally keep your mouth moist by secreting saliva, are not working properly. A chronic lack of saliva has significant health implications. For one thing, it can be difficult to eat with a dry mouth; tasting, chewing and swallowing may also be affected. This could compromise your nutrition. Also, a dry mouth creates ideal conditions for tooth decay. That’s because saliva plays a very important role in keeping decay-causing oral bacteria in check and neutralizing the acids these bacteria produce; it is the acid in your mouth that erodes tooth enamel and starts the decay process. A dry mouth can also cause bad breath.
Possible Causes of Xerostomia
There are several possible causes for xerostomia, including:
- Medications: For most people suffering from dry mouth, medications are to blame. More than 500 medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) have this side effect, including antihistamines (for allergies), diuretics, and antidepressants. Chemotherapy drugs can also have this effect.
- Radiation Therapy: Radiation of the head and neck can damage salivary glands—sometimes permanently.
- Disease: Some systemic (general body) diseases can cause dry mouth, such as Sjögren’s syndrome (an autoimmune disease), diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, cystic fibrosis and AIDS.
- Nerve Damage: Trauma to the head or neck can damage the nerves involved in the production of saliva.
Getting Relief from Dry Mouth Symptoms
If you are taking any medication regularly, it’s possible that your physician can either suggest a substitute or adjust the dosage to relieve your symptoms of dry mouth. If this is not possible, here are some other things you can do to manage the condition:
- Sip fluids frequently: This is particularly helpful during meals. Make sure what you drink does not contain sugar and isn’t acidic (avoid all sodas).
- Chew sugarless gum: This will help stimulate saliva flow if your salivary glands are not damaged. Choose a variety that contains xylitol.
- Avoid drying/irritating foods and beverages: These include toast and crackers, salty and spicy foods, alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
- Don’t smoke: This can dry out the mouth and also increase your risk of gum disease.
- Use a humidifier: Running a cool-mist humidifier at night can be soothing.
- Use saliva stimulants/substitutes: There are prescription and over-the-counter products that can either stimulate saliva or act as a substitute oral fluid. We can give you some recommendations.
- Practice good oral hygiene: Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and don’t forget to floss.
If you have dry mouth, it’s more important than ever to maintain your regular schedule of visits to Schaefer Dental Group. Please be sure to let us know what medications you are taking, particularly if there have been any changes recently. We will do our best to help relieve any dry-mouth symptoms you are experiencing.