Occasional dry mouth is a normal issue that patients may experience. Usually, it will go away on its own within a few days but if you experience dry mouth that lasts for more than a week, you should see your dentist to find out what is causing it.
The dental term for dry mouth is xerostomia and is a condition in which the mouth does not produce enough saliva to keep everything hydrated. Saliva aids in digestion and helps clear the mouth of bacteria and food debris. When there is not enough saliva for these processes, patients are more susceptible to dental decay and other issues.
Symptoms of Xerostomia
Dry mouth can be very uncomfortable and cause the inside of your mouth to feel sticky. Symptoms of xerostomia may include:
- Difficulty eating and speaking
- Dryness in your nasal cavity
- Bad breath
- Sores in the mouth, including on the lip and tongue
- Sore throat and hoarseness
- Increased thirst
- Changes in taste
- Difficulty wearing dental prosthesis
- Dehydration even when drinking enough water
More severe symptoms of dry mouth may include tooth decay, dry eyes and skin, rashes, and even joint pain.
Causes of Xerostomia
There are a lot of factors that can affect your salivary glands and their ability to produce saliva. Some of the more common causes may include:
- Dehydration
- Breathing through your mouth
- Certain medications
- Underlying health conditions
- Cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy
A high number of prescription and over-the-counter medications have a side effect that include dry mouth. Here are just a few types of medications that are known to cause dry mouth:
- Medications that treat high blood pressure
- Antianxiety and antidepressant drugs
- Some pain medications
- Antihistamines and decongestants
- Anticholinergic drugs (used to treat urinary disorders and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder)
- Medications for Parkinson's disease
There are also medical conditions that cause dry mouth which will need to be treated separately from any dry mouth issues. Diabetes, stroke, Sjogren's syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, salivary stones, and salivary gland inflammation are all likely to cause symptoms of dry mouth.
Patients who experience chronic dry mouth (lasting more than a week) are more susceptible to oral issues including tooth decay, gum disease, cracked lips, mouth sores, and even oral thrush which is a yeast infection in the mouth.
Treatment for Xerostomia
It is important to inform your dentist of any dry mouth symptoms so that you can begin treatment as soon as possible. Dry mouth can cause so many issues and may be a simple fix so it is important not to try to suffer through it, if you have a dry mouth that lasts for more than a week. The main goal of dry mouth treatment is to increase saliva production, thereby reducing your risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
How many treatment options are available and your dentist will provide treatments that address your underlying cause. They also advise you to see your general practitioner if the cause of your dry mouth is medication. Your doctor may be able to adjust your dosage to see if that will help improve your symptoms.