1. A Desert Behind Your Lips
If you find yourself constantly reaching for gum or hard candies to moisten your mouth, you may be suffering from a condition known as dry mouth (or, in scientific terms, xerostomia, derived from Greek words "xero" meaning dry and "stoma" meaning mouth). Dry mouth results when the salivary glands do not generate enough saliva. Though it sounds relatively harmless, this is a condition that may have underlying causes and should not be ignored. Dry mouth is more common in women than in men, almost half are between the ages of 60 and 80, and it affects one in every four to five adults.
2. Down in the Mouth
Dry mouth is characterized not only by the lack of saliva production but also by a number of other symptoms, including bad breath, hoarseness and sore throat, the development of sores in the mouth, a decreased sense of taste and a red, raw tongue. Having this condition for a prolonged period of time can lead to gingivitis, tooth decay and infections in the mouth such as thrush, a yeast infection marked by white lesions throughout the mouth and throat. Dry mouth can also make it difficult for dentures to be worn properly and comfortably.
3. Blame Dry Mouth on Any Number of Things
The potential causes of dry mouth are many. It can be a side effect of some medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (including pain medications, antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, diuretics, some bronchodilators used to treat asthma, and medications for epilepsy and urinary incontinence); diseases (Alzheimer's, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson's, AIDS and Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease leading to inflammation of some glands, including the salivary glands); and medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation. Dehydration is also a leading cause. Smoking and chewing tobacco can also dry out the mouth.
4. Keeping Saliva Alive
Fortunately, there are treatment options available for dry mouth. The simplest ways are to drink more water, always drink with meals, breathe through the nose and not the mouth, and stimulate the salivary glands by chewing your food thoroughly, sucking on sugar-free candies and chewing sugar-free gum. Running a humidifier to keep the air moist in your home may prove beneficial. Stopping some lifestyle habits that can cause dry mouth, such as smoking or drinking dehydrating beverages, or stopping or switching any medications that might be causing the problem can also reverse the effects of dry mouth.
5. Stimulating Those Salivary Glands
If the condition is more persistent, medications such as pilocarpine (brand name: Salagen) or cevimeline (brand name: Evoxac) will increase the production of saliva when taken three to four times daily. Oral rinses, both prescribed and over-the-counter such as Biotene, can effectively combat dry mouth. Over-the-counter salivary substitutes (Salivart or Oralube, for instance) may also be needed.
