Xerostomia is a term used to describe a chronically dry mouth. It occurs when the salivary glands fail to make enough saliva in the mouth. In some cases, a dry mouth is caused by natural aging, certain medications, and radiation therapy. While it is less likely, dry mouth can also be caused by a condition which negatively affects the salivary glands. Dry mouth may be temporary and caused by simple dehydration or anxious feelings.
Dry mouth can be a nuisance but can also negatively affect the patient’s oral health and general health as well. Xerostomia can affect the patient's ability to taste and also their desire to eat. The recommended treatment for a dry mouth will vary based on the cause.
When the mouth does not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist, it can result in the following symptoms:
- Dry or sticky feeling in the mouth
- Thick saliva
- Bad breath or foul odor in the mouth
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing
- Dry throat which can be hoarse.
- Dry tongue
- Loss of taste
- Difficulty with dentures fitting properly
Saliva plays a vital role in good oral health as it aids in preventing tooth decay. Saliva actually washes away sugar and food particles, which makes bacteria less harmful. The lack of saliva can make it more difficult to taste, chew, and even swallow. Saliva is also important in the proper digestion of food. Patients who have a chronically dry mouth with ongoing symptoms should follow up with their doctor or dentist.
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth fail to produce enough saliva. Below are common causes for xerostomia.
There are hundreds of medicines, both prescription and over the counter, which can cause the mouth to be dry. Medications which often cause dry mouth symptoms include those used for depression, high blood pressure, anxiety, certain antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and some pain relievers.
It is common for older patients to have a dry mouth due to the natural aging process. The body can process medicine differently, patients may have poor nutrition, or there may be long-term, underlying health issues which result in a dry mouth.
Chemotherapy is often used to treat various types of cancer. Chemotherapy can change how much saliva the body produces and the nature of saliva itself. In many cases, this change is only for a limited time and the normal saliva production resumes following treatment. Radiation treatments which are specifically completed on the neck and head can also damage the salivary glands. This can greatly reduce the production of saliva. Depending on the amount of radiation used and the area being treated, this can be temporary or permanent.
In some cases, the patient may sustain an injury or have surgery which results in nerve damage. This too can cause the mouth to become dry.
Some types of health issues like diabetes, a stroke, an oral yeast infection, and Alzheimer's disease can cause a dry mouth. Certain autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren syndrome and HIV/AIDS can also cause dryness of the mouth.
Lifestyle habits can also cause a dry mouth. This may include snoring, breathing with an open mouth, drinking alcohol, and marijuana or tobacco use. Other things such as legal or illegal drugs can cause a dry mouth and result in serious damage to the teeth.