Get to Know More about Dry Mouth, Its Causes, Symptoms, Types

Dry mouth , or xerostomia , refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet.

Dry mouth affects about 10% of all people and tends to be more prevalent in women than men. It affects 50% of the population over sixty, and it can affect more than 90% of hospitalized patients.

Causes

The top three causes of dry mouth are medication, dehydration and  smoking. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs. It is a frequent symptom in patients suffering from a persity of diseases, and it affects their quality of life and mouth health.

Drugs and Dry Mouth 

Several hundred medications can cause or exacerbate xerostomia, including analgesics, tranquilizers, diuretics, antihistamines,  decongestants, hypertensive medications, antidiarrheals, muscle relaxants, urinary continence drugs, some Parkinson's disease medications, as well as a number of antidepressants. The list also includes drugs used to treat allergies, obesity, acne and asthma (certain bronchodilators).Dry mouth can also be a side effect of muscle relaxants. These drugs affect the saliva’s quantity and possibly quality, but usually the problem is temporary or reversible.

Side Effect of Certain Medical Treatments

Damage or surgical removal of the salivary glands , can reduce the amount of saliva produced. For example, the damage could stem from radiation to the head and neck, and chemotherapy treatments, for cancer. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.

Age and Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is more common among older people than in any other age group. Though dry mouth is not a natural part of aging, older adults tend to take more medications than the rest of the population. The major risk factor for dry mouth is the taking of particular medications, and older people take more of those than any other age group, not only for symptomatic relief of various age-associated chronic diseases, but also in order to reduce the likelihood of complications which may arise from those conditions.

Allergic Rhinitis and Dry Mouth

Allergic rhinitis can make you become mildly dehydrated. When your nasal passages are blocked, you're forced to breathe through your mouth more than usual. Your mouth tissues then become dry from constant contact with air and the presence of bacteria. The lack of fluids that accompanies allergic rhinitis can make you become mildly dehydrated. Antihistamines are a known cause of dry mouth.

Asthma and Dry Mouth

One of the main oral health problems for people with asthma is a reduction in the quantity and quality of the saliva. If the mouth is dry there is more potential for dental decay, erosion, gum disease and oral candidiasis.People with asthma are at risk of a dry mouth, with evidence showing that some asthma medications, such as beta-2 agonists, can reduce salivary flow. People with asthma are also more likely to breathe through their mouths, thus increasing the chance of dry mouth.

Dehydration 

Lack of sufficient fluids causes dehydration and this can dry out oral tissue. Dehydration takes place when your body loses more fluid than you drink. The most common cause of water loss from the body is excessive sweating. Other conditions that lead to dehydration are fever, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.

The average adult produces over a quart-and-a-half of saliva a day. Saliva plays an important role in protecting and lubricating the mouth, and assists us with eating, chewing, swallowing, taste and digestion. It also has many other significant purposes, including: assisting with speech, managing acid levels in the mouth, protecting against bacterial and fungal infections, protecting tooth enamel and transporting nutrients, enzymes and minerals.

During exercising or playing in the heat, the salivary glands may become dry as bodily fluids are concentrated elsewhere in the body.

Smoking and Dry mouth 

Either chewing or smoking tobacco increases the risk of dry mouth symptoms.  The nicotine in cigarette smoke reduces blood flow to your mouth and gums, meaning cuts, ulcers or scratches heal more slowly.

The following oral diseases and conditions are caused by, or can be attributed to smoking: dry mouth, staining of teeth and dental fillings, reduction of the ability to smell and taste,  bad breath dry mouth, oral thrush and coated tongue, which is the condition where there is a coloured layer composed of mainly food particles, bacteria, and debris from epithelium in the mouth.

These lesions most likely result from the  irritants, and toxic compounds found in the smoke, dryness in the mouth following high temperatures of inhaling smoke,  ph change, change in immune response and change in ability to handle viral and fungal infections.

Can Anxiety Cause Dry Mouth?

People who aren't drinking enough water are more prone to severe anxiety symptoms. Feeling anxious or stressed can reduce the flow of saliva in your mouth, but for some people it isn't the anxiety itself that produces it – it's the antidepressant or related medication they're taking. Dry mouth is a known side effect of antidepressants, anti-psychotics. When an anxiety medication causes dry mouth, the symptoms usually appear after starting a course of treatment.

Mouth breathing from anxiety is more common during severe anxiety episodes, like those that occur during an anxiety attack. Air has a tendency to dry out the mouth, and those with anxiety are more prone to mouth breathing.  Mouth breathing can be irritating to the saliva, and may dry out your tongue in a way that feels like dry mouth is occurring.

People who have acid reflux problems may also be more prone to dry mouth. This is because during periods of intense anxiety and stress, the body is more prone to acid reflux symptoms, and acid can affect the salivary glands and lead to less saliva and the feeling of a dry mouth. It may also lead to a sticky feeling and bad taste, both of which are considered dry mouth related.

When your fight or fight system is activated, your body move fluids like water to the areas they need them more. That may dry out your mouth as well.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dry mouth include dryness or a feeling of stickiness in the mouth, saliva that seems thick and stringy, bad breath, difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing, dry or sore throat and hoarseness, dry or grooved tongue, a changed sense of taste ,and problems wearing dentures. In addition, dry mouth may result in lipstick sticking to the teeth. Dry mouth is usually worse at night, when the mouth produces less saliva than in the daytime.

Studies have shown that those that suffer from chronic dry mouth also have a higher risk of mental health illnesses and social anxiety.

Tips for Prevention 

There are many ways to keep the mouth lubricated and prevent the symptoms of dry mouth. These include: sipping non-carbonated, sugar-free fluids, chewing gum that contains xylitol. Using a carboxymethyl cellulose saliva substitute as a mouthwash may help , avoiding mouthwashes that contain alcohol. Do not wear dentures during sleep.

Take frequent sips of liquid throughout the day. Water is best. Drink 2 L of water a day. Add extra liquid to foods to make them easier to chew and swallow. Do not take medicines that cause a dry mouth. Avoid caffeinated beverages.

Eat small meals, and eat more often. Eat fibrous foods. Here's another reason for eating an apple a day: crunchy, fibrous fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery. Season your food with citrus and herbs instead of salt or hot spices. Cut your food into small pieces to make it easier to chew and swallow.

Try breathing through the nose, as this does not dry the mouth to the same extent as breathing through the mouth does, using a humidifier to add moisture to a bedroom, which may help reduce dry mouth symptoms that develop during sleep.

Avoid chewing or smoking tobacco, sugary foods or drinks, acidic foods or drinks, dry foods,  astringents and excessively hot or cold drinks.

Brushing teeth and flossing regularly is important. A person with dry mouth should pay special attention to oral/dental hygiene. This includes plaque removal and treatment of gingival infections, inflammation, and dental caries.