8 causes of dry mouth and 9 ways to fix them

Why dry mouth is bad

Dryness is a lack of saliva. And this liquid performs many functions, the main of which is antibacterial. It is saliva that resists the attacks of all kinds of infections. When the mouth is dry, harmful microorganisms begin to win and we get:

Unpleasant sensation of tongue sticking to the inside of the cheeks and palate (familiar to anyone who has ever had a hangover).
Chapped lips, sores in the mouth and corners of the lips.
Bad breath, against which brushing your teeth and chewing gum are powerless: the smell reappears very quickly.
Red irritated tongue.
Problems with taste detection.
Swallowing problems. Try pushing a bite down your throat if your mouth is running low on saliva!
Difficulty in digestion. Food that is poorly moistened with saliva is more difficult to chew and digest. As a result, it is less digestible.
Increased risk of acute respiratory infections and ENT diseases.
Hoarseness, sometimes stifled to nasal voice.
Dental problems: tooth decay, gum inflammation …

All these symptoms significantly reduce the quality of life. Not to mention a blow to health: after all, the body is forced to spend energy on those infections that had to be delayed at the very entrance, and therefore can easily miss more dangerous violations.

Where does dry mouth come from?

The reasons for Dry Mouth can be very different.

Some believe dry mouth is related to aging. This is not true. Xerostomia (the official medical name for the condition) is not related to age, it always has other prerequisites.

1. You don't have enough water

This is the most common case. If your mouth is dry, chances are you are either not getting enough fluids. Or you have lost too much of it - this happens with intense sports, while walking in the heat, or, for example, with digestive problems, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.

2. You smoke

Tobacco smoke dries mucous membranes and reduces the Effect of Long-term Smoking on Whole-mouth Salivary Flow Rate and Oral Health saliva production. This is another reason to quit smoking.

3. You have a stuffy nose

Because of this, you breathe through your mouth. In conditions of insufficient humidity, this breathing method can lead to drying out of the mucous membrane.

4. You are taking certain medications

The list of medications for which dry mouth is indicated as side effects is long. This includes Everything you need to know about dry mouth:

antihistamines;
decongestants;
a range of medications used to control high blood pressure (hypertension);
antidiarrheal drugs;
muscle relaxants;
antidepressants;
some medicines to treat Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

By the way, this is why dry mouth is more common among older people than among young people: they simply take more medications of all kinds.

5. You are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy

Cancer treatments can interfere with the function of the salivary glands.

6. You have or develop diabetes mellitus

Dry mouth is a common symptom of this condition. As a rule, it is accompanied by constant thirst and, as a result, frequent urination.

7. You develop an autoimmune disease

This can be rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid diseases (in particular, thyrotoxicosis), lupus and other disorders of Dental Health and Dry Mouth, in which the immune system begins to attack the cells of its own body.

8. You are under intense stress

When we are nervous, the body has no time for salivation. He is busy with the problem of choosing between "hit" or "run." Therefore, the mouth dries out predictably.

What to do if dry mouth occurs regularly

1. Check if the salivary glands are working normally

This can be done by your dentist. If your salivary glands are found to be lazy, your doctor may prescribe medications and treatments (such as electrical stimulation of the tongue and palate) to revive them.

2. Chew more actively

The more energetically you chew, the more The effect of a chewing gum on salivary secretion, oral mucosal friction, and the feeling of dry mouth in xerostomic patients. saliva is produced by the corresponding glands. Of course, it is ideal to chew on something healthy, such as fresh vegetables and fruits and other solid foods. But if there is no such food on hand, chewing gum will do.

3. Try to breathe through your nose

Sometimes it is difficult - for example, when the nose is stuffy due to a cold. In this case, you should try to speed up your recovery.

However, there are other causes of congestion, such as polyps or curvature of the nasal septum. If you find it difficult to breathe through your nose, but why - you yourself cannot understand, be sure to consult with the ENT. He will prescribe the necessary treatment.

4. Drink plenty of fluids

WHO recommends Water Requirements, Impinging Factors, and Recommended Intakes for women about 2.7 liters and for men 3.7 liters per day. And not only in the form of water, but also in the form of juices, soups and so on.

If you are involved in sports or physical labor, especially in the heat, do not forget to drink more.

5. Rinse your mouth regularly

You can just water. Or you can use special rinsing agents that your dentist will prescribe for you.

6. Quit smoking

Not only the mucous membrane of the mouth will thank you, but also the body as a whole. And even.

7. Change your medicine

If you find dry mouth on the list of side effects, talk to your doctor about replacing the drug with a less draining alternative.

8. See a doctor

Dry mouth can sometimes be the first and almost the only symptom of an impending illness. Talk to your therapist about this. Most likely, the doctor will offer you blood tests (including those for thyroid hormones) and urine tests. And then, if necessary, he will prescribe treatment.

9. Try to be less nervous

There are many ways to get your stress under control. Learn to relax. This will improve not only salivation, but also the experience of life in general.

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