What causes dry mouth and how to get rid of it
Dry mouth (medically known as xerostomia) is a common condition that harms dental health and contributes to bad breath. Having a dry mouth means you are producing lower-than-normal levels of saliva. Saliva is very important to dental health because it cleanses the mouth by killing bacteria and by breaking down food particles and proteins that can lead to bad breath and tooth decay. About 20% of the general population suffers from chronic xerostomia, with a higher prevalence in women (up to 30%) and the elderly (up to 50%). Everyone has temporary dry mouth from time to time, especially while sleeping, when saliva production drops. It is important to keep your mouth from drying out if you want to get rid of bad breath. In this article we will cover the symptoms of dry mouth, what causes it, and how to get rid of it.
Symptoms of a Dry Mouth
The most obvious symptom of a dry mouth is just that: a constant feeling that your mouth is dry. A chronic dry mouth may also bring on the following symptoms:
- excessive thirst
- a raw tongue
- lip sores
- dry lips
- difficulty swallowing
- sore throat and hoarseness
- bad breath
- difficulty speaking
- dry nasal passages
- bad morning breath
Causes of a Dry Mouth
Many things can lead to a dry mouth.
Medication
Over 500 medications can cause a dry mouth as a side effect. Sixty-three percent of the top 200 most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States are xerogenic (that is, they cause a dry mouth). The types of drugs that cause dry mouth include:
- blood pressure medications
- antihistamines
- decongestants
- antidepressants
- diuretics
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories
Medical conditions/diseases
A chronic dry mouth can also be caused by other medical conditions. Here is a list of conditions and diseases that are known to cause a dry mouth:
- radiation treatments to the head and neck
- salivary gland diseases
- Diabetes
- hormonal imbalance
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Diet
What you eat and drink can also affect how dry your mouth gets. Foods and substances known to cause a dry mouth include:
- alcohol
- caffeine
- spicy foods
- tobacco
Mouth breathing
People who breathe through their mouths most of the time often suffer from dry mouths.
Age
As we get older, age-related changes in the salivary gland tissues can lead to a modest drop in salivary output. However, a major reason older people have drier mouths is that they often take more xerogenic (dry-mouth-causing) medications than younger people do.
Dehydration
If your body is dehydrated, it will start to conserve water by producing less saliva.
Treatment for a Dry Mouth
To treat xerostomia properly, you first need to figure out what is causing it. Look closely at the causes of dry mouth outlined above and identify anything that might apply to you. Then make as many changes in your life as you can to address those causes. The following are things you can do after you have done all you can to minimize the cause. There are basically two ways to treat a dry mouth: you can use products that are either saliva substitutes or saliva stimulants.
Saliva substitutes
These are products with properties very similar to saliva. They include:
- water (increase fluid intake or increase the humidity in your living quarters by using a humidifier)
- artificial salivas (mucin-based, carboxymethylcellulose-based)
- other substances (milk, vegetable oil)
Saliva stimulants
These are products that increase saliva production in your mouth. They include:
- organic acids (ascorbic acid, malic acid)
- chewing gum
- parasympathomimetic drugs (choline esters, e.g. pilocarpine hydrochloride, cholinesterase inhibitors)
- other substances (sugar-free mints, nicotinamide)
- XyliMelts
Natural remedies
Here are some natural remedies you can use to relieve dry mouth:
Goldenseal Mixture
An effective natural treatment for dry mouth is goldenseal and baking soda. Mix one cup of liquid goldenseal with one tablespoon of baking soda and swish it in your mouth for a minute or two. Do not swallow. This helps relieve inflammation and moisturizes the mouth.
Cayenne Pepper
Adding cayenne pepper to food, or drinking half a teaspoon mixed into four ounces of water, can help relieve dry mouth naturally. This hot spice stimulates saliva production, improves circulation, reduces inflammation, and helps boost the immune system.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory and a moisturizer. Mix it with water until it reaches a consistency you like, then swish it in your mouth for a minute or two.