What is dry mouth?
Your mouth needs saliva to be able to work properly. Saliva is your mouth’s lubricant and it contains enzymes which help to break down your food and help you swallow. It also acts as a cleanser, constantly washing around your mouth and teeth, helping to keep your teeth clean and fight decay. Dry mouth or ‘xerostomia’ is a condition which affects the flow of saliva, causing your mouth to feel dry.
How can I tell I have dry mouth?
There are several symptoms to look out for. The most obvious is, of course, a dry mouth. Some people feel that their saliva has become thick and sticky, making it difficult to speak or swallow. Some also experience a ‘prickly’ or burning sensation in the mouth and become sensitive to certain foods. Soreness may develop in the dry mouth and the risk of tooth decay and gum disease is increased. In some cases, the mouth can also become red and shiny. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have dry mouth, but it may be best to talk to your dentist or doctor about it.
What can cause it?
Dry mouth can be a symptom of many different problems including getting older. Quite often it is a side effect of medication, especially heart, blood pressure and depression tablets. Your doctor, chemist or dentist should be able to tell you whether your medication can cause problems. Dry mouth can also be a result of medical treatment such as radiotherapy or surgery to the head and neck.
In some cases, dry mouth can be a direct result of a medical condition (for example diabetes, lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome).
Are women more likely to get dry mouth?
Women who are going through the menopause (‘change of life’) may suffer from dry mouth. Women who have had their menopause and are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may also find they suffer from dry mouth. Contact your doctor if you are taking medication, to see whether the tablets could be altered to help your condition.
Can I prevent dry mouth?
Unfortunately there seems to be no way of actually preventing the problem, there are products to ease the symptoms.
What problems can dry mouth cause?
Saliva is a very important part of your dental health. The enzymes in saliva help to break down food while you are chewing, allowing easier swallowing. Some people do find that they have difficulty swallowing when their saliva flow is affected.
Saliva is also very important in the fight against tooth decay. It contains a number of ingredients which help to fight the bacteria that form dental plaque and cause decay and gum disease.
Having less saliva can also affect the taste of food and makes eating drier foods difficult. Sometimes it can affect speech and make people more likely to have bad breath.
What products are there to help with dry mouth?
There are a number of products designed to provide moisture and comfort, usually gels or sprays. Some have extra ingredients which may help prevent tooth and gum problems. There are also specially formulated products to help with your normal oral hygiene (for example toothpastes and mouth rinses).What can my dentist do to help?
Intensive oral hygiene and the use of fluoride will, in many cases, help to delay the start of dental decay. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to give you dietary advice and tell you how to care for your teeth and gums effectively.
What toothpaste should I use?
It is important to use a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride has been proven to reduce dental decay by at least 40%. A ‘total care’ toothpaste may be best as they contain antibacterial agents and other ingredients to control the build up of plaque.
Look for products accredited by the British Dental Health Foundation. This means that the products have been clinically tested and the claims on the packaging are proven to be correct.
How often should I visit my dentist if I have dry mouth?
Due to the higher risk of dental decay and gum disease, which can progress more rapidly in a dry mouth, it is important you visit your dentist regularly. Your dentist will tell you how often you should visit for your individual needs.
What could I try to help relieve the symptoms of dry mouth?
There are different ways of relieving the symptoms of dry mouth. Some people find sipping water, or sucking sugar-free sweets help in the short term. It is very important to use sugar-free products, as dry mouth can make patients more likely to have dental decay. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help as it encourages your mouth to make saliva.
