Dry Mouth Or Xerostomia
- What is xerostomia?
- What are the causes of xerostomia?
- What are the effects of dry mouth?
- What treatment is there for dry mouth?
- Where does saliva come from?
- What are the functions of saliva?
- How does saliva prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
- What influences the flow of saliva?
1. What is xerostomia?
- This is a persistently dry mouth caused by a reduced production of saliva.
- It is not the ordinary dry mouth that can be cured by drinking a glass of water.
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2. What are the causes of xerostomia?
- Inadequate chewing is a common cause of dry mouth.
- Chewing is needed to stimulate the flow of saliva.
The frail and elderly can have difficulty chewing.
If food is not chewed properly a dry mouth can develop.
- Older people may avoid eating food that needs to be chewed well.
This may be because of ill-fitting dentures, or because of frailty or ill health.
- Most older people are on medication, and some medications and other therapies can cause dry mouth. They are:
- Medication such as anti-histamines, anti-depressants and drugs to reduce blood pressure.
- Radiotherapy.
- Other causes can be:
- HIV and AIDS.
- Mouth breathing.
- Fatigue and anxiety.
- Ageing does not cause dry mouth. It is present in the elderly only when it is a symptom of a problem.
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3. What are the effects of dry mouth?
- Dry mouth causes a great deal of discomfort and can cause the following:
- The mouth becomes more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
- Oral infections and salivary gland infections may result.
- Bad breath is associated with dry mouth.
- A dry mouth can affect speech, swallowing and taste.
- Difficulty with dentures can be a result of dry mouth.
- Saliva is essential for the suction that dentures need to be firm and stable.
- Dryness and a slight burning feeling in the mouth.
- The corners of the mouth and the lips can become dry and cracked.
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4. What treatment is there for dry mouth?
- The treatment of “dry mouth” relates to stimulating the production of saliva and treating the symptoms:
- It is very important to stimulate the salivary glands by vigorous chewing.
- Eat foods that require chewing such as fruit and vegetables.
- Chewing sugarless gum also stimulates the flow of saliva.
- Sialogogues are drugs that can be used to increase the flow of saliva.
- Relief can also come with mouthwashes, lozenges, or toothpastes.
- Sipping cold water or sucking ice can also bring relief.
- Oral hygiene is important. Brush your natural and replacement teeth well.
- Mouth infections and periodontitis that are caused by dry mouth can be treated with a fluoride or chlorohexadine mouthwash.
- When the cause of the dry mouth is a medical condition, the correct treatment will be advised.
- Ask your dentist how to maintain a comfortable mouth.
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5. Where does saliva come from?
- Saliva is produced in the salivary glands.
- The average production of saliva is 1.5 litres per day, or 45 litres per month.
This might seem to be a lot of saliva, but remember it is being produced continuously for 24 hours of every day.
- There are three pairs of salivary glands in the mouth:
- The parotid salivary glands are in the cheeks, between the ear and nose.
- The submandibular salivary glands are on the floor of the mouth, near to the lower molar teeth.
- The sublingual salivary glands are under the tongue.
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6. What are the functions of saliva?
- Saliva plays a vital role in several important functions:
- Eating: Unless food is moistened by saliva it cannot be properly tasted or chewed.
- Swallowing: Dry food is difficult to swallow. It would tear the lining of the throat. Liquid is needed to be able to swallow. Saliva performs that role.
- Speech: Speaking dries the mouth. Despite the normal presence of saliva, speakers often need to sip water when they make long speeches. Normal speech would be impossible without saliva.
- Digestion: Food that is not chewed and moistened by saliva is difficult for the stomach to process.
- It plays an important role in the prevention of tooth decay.
- It may be used to test for diseases such as cancer and HIV.
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7. How does saliva prevent tooth decay and gum disease?
- Saliva prevents decay and gum disease in many ways:
- The flow of saliva helps to wash away food debris.
- It is alkaline, and so it helps to neutralise mouth acids and reduce decay.
- It helps to protect the teeth from erosion caused by acids in the diet.
- The saliva dilutes the strength of the acid.
- Plaque growth and calculus formation are slowed or inhibited.
- This reduces the risk of gum disease.
- The calcium content of saliva can help to reverse the early stages of decay. This is called remineralisation.
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8. What influences the flow of saliva?
- The flow of saliva is stimulated by the act of chewing.
People who are too frail to chew properly are unable to produce enough saliva for a healthy mouth.
- The smell, taste, sight, or even the thought of food stimulates salivary flow. Haven’t we all salivated at the thought, sight, smell or taste of something delicious!
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