About Chronic Dry Mouth

Overview

A little cottonmouth is to be expected if you've been sweating out in the heat or if you know you haven't downed enough water. But what if you have chronic dry mouth that you just can't get rid of and can't figure out what's causing it?

Chronic dry mouth is a real health condition called xerostomia, which can be caused by a number of different factors. Though it's very common as people get older, getting older isn't really a reason why it occurs---older people just have more risk factors for dry mouth.

Causes

One of the most common causes of chronic dry mouth is medication use. Dry mouth is a common side effect of hundreds of different kinds of medications, the Mayo Clinic reports. Depression and anxiety drugs, medications used to treat high blood pressure, antihistamine and decongestant medications, and those used to treat diarrhea are some common culprits. Muscle relaxing medications, as well as medications that treat Parkinson's disease and urinary incontinence, may also leave you with a dry mouth.

Some health problems may also result in dry mouth, as well as their treatment options, the Mayo Clinic says. Diabetes, Parkinson's disease, depression, anxiety, HIV or AIDS and some autoimmune diseases (such as Sjogren's syndrome) can also cause dry mouth. Radiation treatments for head or neck cancers can leave the patient with a dry mouth. Lifestyle habits like using tobacco products and keeping your mouth open can also dry out the mouth.

Other Symptoms

Chronic dry mouth is often associated with other symptoms. You may have difficulty talking, or even chewing and swallowing your food. Your tongue and throat may feel dry, and your lips may begin to dry out and crack. Some people may also develop sores or some type of infection in the mouth.

What it Means

Your mouth produces saliva for a reason, and without enough, you can suffer some complications. If you've got dry mouth, you may have problems with food digestion and eating regular meals. Your teeth may suffer from cavities and decay, and bacteria and fungi may begin to grow in the mouth.

Treatment

To figure out how to treat dry mouth, you need to figure out the cause. If dry mouth is a result of a medication side effect, perhaps the medication can be changed or your dose may be altered a bit.

Other medications may be prescribed to increase saliva production in the mouth. Cevimeline (brand name Evoxac) or pilocarpine (brand name Salagen) are two forms of medication that can help treat dry mouth.

What You Can Do

There are small things you can do to help increase saliva production and keep your mouth moist and healthy. Drink plenty of water each day, and sleep with a humidifier in your room. Try to avoid caffeine and tobacco products, as well as high-sugar foods and drinks that can promote tooth decay. Avoid drying medications like antihistamines and decongestants, as well as alcohol-based mouthwash.

To keep the mouth moist, the American Dental Association suggests you chew on sugarless gum or suck on hard candies that are made without sugar.