Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while – if they are nervous, upset or under stress.  But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health concerns.  The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah).  Try saying that one fast ten times! 

Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva to keep your mouth moist.  Symptoms can include:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth and/or the throat
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking
• A burning feeling in the mouth
• Cracked lips, mouth sores or infections in the mouth
• A dry, tough tongue

As I mentioned above, a dry mouth can cause difficulties in tasting, swallowing or speaking, but it can also increase your chances of developing dental decay and periodontal disease.  Certain medications can cause dry mouth, but it may also be a sign of certain diseases and conditions that exist.  Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging, so if you think you have a dry mouth, consult your dentist because there are things you can do to get relief.

Saliva does more than keep your mouth wet.  It helps begin the process of food digestion, protects the teeth from decay, aids in the fight against infection by controlling bacteria and fungi that are present in the mouth and makes it possible for you to chew and swallow your food.

People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly.  Makes sense, but there are several reasons why the salivary glands might not work properly.  There are more than 400 medications that can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva.  Medicines for high blood pressure and depression are notorious for setting you up for dry mouth.  Some diseases can affect the salivary glands.  Sjogren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease can all cause dry mouth.  Radiation therapy will be the culprit if the salivary glands are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.  The drugs used in chemotherapy can often make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.  Another cause not often thought of is damage to the head or neck that affects the nerves signaling the salivary glands to make saliva.

Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem.  If your dry mouth is caused by medication, your physician might be able to change your medicine or adjust the dosage to alleviate the problem.  If the glands are not working right, but can still produce some saliva there are medications that can stimulate the glands to produce more.  When the glands have ceased to produce saliva, artificial saliva substitutes can be used keep your mouth moist.

If you do have a dry mouth, there are things you can do to help as well.  Sip water or drink sugarless drinks often and avoid drinks with caffeine since caffeine can dry the mouth out.  Avoid tobacco and alcohol since they will dry you out as well.  Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy can stimulate salivary flow.  Citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored candies are good choices.  Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth. 

Remember, if you have a dry mouth you need to give extra effort to keep your teeth clean and healthy.  Your smile will last a lifetime if you take care of it – dry mouth or not.