Saliva moistens the mouth and helps in the digestion of food. It also restricts the development of infection and controls the growth of fungi and bacteria. When the mouth secrets less saliva, it becomes dry. This uncomfortable condition is called dry mouth or xerostomia.
Drying of the mouth can be related to age. Drying of the mouth can occur occasionally in some people. In this article, some of the common causes and symptoms are discussed in detail.
Some common causes of dry mouth
Innumerable factors can cause a dry mouth. Some of them are:
- Dry mouth is a condition which develops as a side effect of numerous diseases. Many non-prescription and prescription medications can treat anxiety, depression, allergies, pain, obesity, acne, urinary incontinence, and asthma which are some common conditions that lead to a dry mouth.
- Sedatives and muscle relaxants are some popular medications that cause this medical condition.
- Many infections and diseases can cause dry mouth. Health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, anemia, cystic fibrosis, AIDS, and hypertension are all common causes that lead to drying of the mouth.
- Medical treatment that leads to salivary gland damage can cause a reduction in the amount of saliva produced. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment in cancer can also cause this condition.
- Nerve damage is another factor that can cause dry mouth. It happens when the area of the head and neck get injured due to surgery or accidents.
- Medical conditions like fever, vomiting, blood loss, burns, diarrhea, and excessive sweating can lead to a dry mouth.
- In some cases, surgical removal of some glands results in a dry mouth.
- Chewing tobacco and smoking can also affect the salivary gland stimulation.
- Some habits like breathing through an open mouth can aggravate the problem.
Symptoms of dry mouth
After having a look at all the probable factors that can cause the mouth to dry up, one should try to know more about the symptoms that accompany this condition. Some common signs of a dry mouth are:
- Sticky or dryness in the mouth
- Cracked lips or appearance of mouth sores
- Dry throat
- Tingling or burning sensation in the mouth
- Raw, red, and dry tongue
- Troubles with speaking
- A feeling of tastelessness
- Difficulty in swallowing or chewing
- Dry nasal passage and a sore throat
- Bad breath
Sometimes drying up of mouth are linked to a lot of risk factors like gingivitis, oral thrush, and tooth decay. Wearing dentures can also become difficult in such cases.
Helpful tips
Some of the tips that can relieve the symptoms of dry mouth are:
- Having a sugarless drink or sipping water can help in reducing bad odor which accompanies a dry mouth
- Sipping water during meals can help with swallowing and makes chewing easy
- One should avoid caffeinated drinks as it can cause dehydration
- Avoid salty and spicy food to get relief from the pain
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
- Use a humidifier at night
Thus, these are some of the common facts about dry mouth that can help one understand this condition better.
