The salivary glands help keep your mouth and tongue moist. A dry tongue and mouth may result from salivary gland dysfunction due to diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome, or they may be a side effect of burning mouth syndrome. Dry tongue and mouth also are common side effects of more than 400 medications, including those used for treating allergies, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Dry Tongue Due to Airborne Allergies
Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose, itchy eyes and an itchy throat are common reactions to airborne allergens, such as dust or pollen. You get these symptoms when your immune system overreacts and produces chemicals, such as histamine, to fight off the allergens. Dry tongue isn’t a direct result of airborne allergies. You may get a dry tongue if you have a stuffy nose, causing you to breathe through your mouth. This often happens at night, so you find your tongue is dry when you awaken in the morning. You also may get a dry mouth or tongue from the antihistamines you take to counteract your allergy symptoms.
Alternative Medical Treatment for Dry Tongue from Allergies
Antihistamines are the usual treatment for airborne allergies, especially seasonal allergies, such as allergic rhinitis. If allergic rhinitis is causing you to breathe through your mouth, and you don’t want to take pharmaceutical antihistamines or decongestants, you could try Petasites hybridus, or butterbur, extract. In an analysis reported in the December 2007 issue of the "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology," Ruoling Guo and others at the Peninsula Medical School at the University of Exeter in England found butterbur to be as effective as nonsedative antihistamines for those with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Mangosteen is another possible alternative, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian.
Other Treatments for Dry Tongue or Mouth
If you have chronic dry mouth or tongue, you can try artificial saliva sprays or oral rinses. Lozenges or mouth washes may help stimulate saliva production, and drinking plenty of fluids will help you avoid dehydration, which often leads to a dry tongue and mouth. Try using a room vaporizer to keep your nasal passages open at night, so you don’t breathe through your mouth.
Health Effects of Dry Tongue or Mouth
A dry tongue and mouth isn’t just a nuisance; it can have serious health effects. You need saliva for three functions: to stimulate your digestive process; moisten your food to allow you to chew and swallow it effectively; and control bacteria and fungi in your mouth to prevent infections. Chronic xerostomia, the clinical name for dry mouth, can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis and other dental conditions.
References
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Dry Mouth
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Airborne Allergens
- Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Herbal Medicines for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review
- Ray Sahelian, M.D.: Natural Antihistamines and Foods High in Histamine
- Drugs.com: Xerostomia
