Dental health care
Flossing
Brushing

Dry Mouth

What is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth wet. People get Dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. There are several reasons why saliva glands are not working properly : -

• Side effects of some medicines - more than 400 medicines can cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and depression often cause Dry mout

• Disease - some diseases affect the salivary glands. HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease can all cause Dry mouth.

• Radiation therapy - the salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatmen

• Chemotherapy - drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.

• Nerve damage - injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves that tell salivary glands to make saliva.

Symptoms for Dry mouth include:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth.

• Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking.

• A burning feeling in the mouth.

• A dry feeling in the throat.

• Cracked lips.

• A dry tongue.

• Mouth sores

Treatment for Dry mouth

Dry mouth treatment depends on reason causing the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. As they can only determine the accurate reason for your Dry mouth.

• If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician may change your medicine or adjust the dosage.

• If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some saliva, your dentist might give you a medicine that helps the glands work better.

• Your dentist may suggest you to use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.

Medication side effect
Dry mouth