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Home » Dental Health » Dry Mouth » What is Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)?

What is Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)?

Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. PharmaBy Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. PharmaUpdated:April 19, 20213 Mins Read
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1 Introduction: Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
2 What is the function of saliva (Saliva benefits)?
3 Is having a dry mouth normal?
4 How common is dry mouth condition?
5 Is it possible to prevent dry mouth?
6 How to minimize the effects of dry mouth?
7 What are the symptoms of dry mouth?

Introduction: Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands in mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. It often occurs due to the side effect of certain medications or aging process or as a result of certain therapies that delivered in cancer treatments.

In some cases, dry mouth may be caused by a condition that directly affects your salivary glands.

What is the function of saliva (Saliva benefits)?

Saliva helps prevent tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria in the mouth, slowing bacterial growth and, cleaning away food particles. Saliva also helps mineralization of teeth.

Saliva also improves the ability to taste and helps in chewing and swallowing the food. Saliva contains certain enzymes that help in digestion.

When saliva production is insufficient, all of these functions are affected.

Is having a dry mouth normal?

It’s normal to have a dry mouth occasionally if you’re dehydrated or in certain situations such as when you are feeling nervous. But regularly having a dry mouth can be a sign of a problem that requires diagnosis and treatment.

You should meet your dentist if you have a dry mouth more often so that he or she can find its cause.

Read about what can cause a dry mouth.

How common is dry mouth condition?

Dry mouth affects about 10% of all people and is more prevalent in women than men. Disorders of saliva production generally affect old people and those who take prescription and nonprescription medications frequently.

Is it possible to prevent dry mouth?

There is really no way to prevent dry mouth. You can only prevent the side effects of dry mouth. It is important to detect, diagnose, and treat xerostomia as early as possible as it can cause major problems that can have a devastating effect on your dental and overall health.

However, there are a number of ways you can minimize the effects of dry mouth, such as the following.

How to minimize the effects of dry mouth?

  • Sip water or sugarless drinks often
  • Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas
  • Use oral care products that assist in moisturizing the mouth
  • Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva flow
  • Avoid sugar and acidic foods
  • Avoid tobacco or alcohol. They worsen the dry mouth further.
  • Minimize use of spices or salty foods
  • Use a humidifier at night

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?

You may notice these symptoms if you are not producing enough saliva:

  • Dryness in the mouth
  • A feeling of stickiness in the mouth
  • Saliva that is thick and stringy
  • Bad breath
  • Difficulty in chewing, speaking and swallowing
  • Dry or sore throat
  • Hoarseness
  • Dry or grooved tongue
  • Sense of taste changes
  • It can result in lipstick sticking to the teeth
  • Tooth decay may occur as a result of dry mouth
Tatheer Zehra Zaidi, M. Pharma
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Tatheer Zehra Zaidi is a clinical pharmacist and pharmacologist with a master’s degree in pharmacy practice. She aims to deliver a positive contribution in the field of healthcare and research. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Jamia Hamdard New Delhi and then joined Spirant Communication Private LTD as a Medical content writer. Currently she is working at Maxinov Solutions Private LTD as a research associate and is associated with DiseaseFix as a medical content writer. Tatheer’s areas of interest include clinical research, clinical trial disclosure, and pharmacovigilance.

Follow-Up Reads

Sudden Dry Mouth Anxiety: Is There a Link Between Stress and Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)?

April 19, 2021

What are the Causes of Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

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What are the Causes of Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

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