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What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth wet. Everyone has dry mouth once in a while if they are nervous, upset, or under stress. But if you have dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and lead to serious health problems. Though many older adults have dry mouth, it is not a normal part of aging. (Watch the video to learn more about dry mouth. To enlarge the video, click the brackets in the lower righthand corner. To reduce the video, press the Escape (Esc) button on your keyboard.)
What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
Saliva does more than keep your mouth wet. It helps digest food, protects teeth from decay, helps to heal sores in your mouth, and prevents infection by controlling bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the mouth. Saliva is also what helps us chew and swallow. Each of these functions of saliva is hampered when a person has dry mouth.
What causes Dry Mouth ?
Dry mouth can cause several problems, including difficulty tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Swallowing may be especially difficult for those with too little saliva. For example, people with dry mouth may be unable to swallow dry food at all unless they also drink fluids with food. They also need to take small bites of food and be very aware of chewing and swallowing so they don't choke. Dry mouth may also increase the chance of developing dental decay as well as oral fungal infections such as thrush, which causes painful white patches in the mouth.
What are the symptoms of Dry Mouth ?
Dry mouth can be uncomfortable. Some people notice a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth. Others notice a burning feeling or difficulty while eating. The throat may feel dry, too, and swallowing without extra fluids can often be difficult. Also, people with dry mouth may develop mouth sores, cracked lips, and a dry, rough tongue.
What causes Dry Mouth ?
Yes. More than 400 medicines, including some overthecounter medications, can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva, or to change the composition of the saliva so that it can't perform the functions it should. As an example, medicines for urinary incontinence, allergies, high blood pressure, and depression often cause dry mouth.
What are the treatments for Dry Mouth ?
Certain cancer treatments can affect the salivary glands. Head and neck radiation therapy can cause the glands to produce little or no saliva. Chemotherapy may cause the salivary glands to produce thicker saliva, which makes the mouth feel dry and sticky.
What causes Dry Mouth ?
Some diseases affect the salivary glands. Sjgren's syndrome and diabetes can cause dry mouth. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.
What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
Sjgren's Syndrome Clinic National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Building 10, Room 1N113 10 Center Drive MSC 1190 Bethesda, MD 208921190 3014358528 http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/NIDCRLaboratories/ MolecularPhysiology/SjogrensSyndrome/default.htm
What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
For information about the clinical trial on this topic, visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00372320?order=1. If you would like to read an interview with Dr. Bruce Baum, the study's principal investigator, click on: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/Research/ ResearchResults/InterviewsOHR/TIS032007.htm.
What are the treatments for Dry Mouth ?
Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or she can help to determine what is causing your dry mouth. If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the dosage. If your salivary glands are not working right, but can still produce some saliva, your dentist or physician might give you a special medicine that helps the glands work better. He or she might suggest that you use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet. (Watch the video to learn how dry mouth is treated. To enlarge the video, click the brackets in the lower righthand corner. To reduce the video, press the Escape (Esc) button on your keyboard.)
What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
You should avoid sticky and sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately afterwards. Also, be aware that spicy and salty foods can cause pain in a dry mouth. You should also avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol. They can dry out the mouth.
What is (are) Dry Mouth ?
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 1 NOHIC Way Bethesda, MD 208923500 (301) 4027364 http://www.nidcr.nih.gov