Dr. Madhuri (BDS)
Published on - 20 Nov 2023
Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night, longing for a glass of water to quench your unbearable thirst? Or find yourself reaching for a sip of water more frequently during the day than you used to? If you've experienced this, you're not alone. Millions of people around the world suffer from a common, yet often underestimated, oral health issue: Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth.
When we think about oral health, what often comes to mind are shiny smiles, strong teeth, and the diligent routine of brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups. While these elements undoubtedly play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mouth, there's a silent yet incredibly important factor that often goes unnoticed - Saliva.
Saliva is a very complex fluid that keeps the mouth wet and is mostly made up of water mixed with electrolytes, minerals, buffers, growth factors, enzymes, proteins, and other substances. It also protects the tooth from demineralizing and shields the oral tissues from bacteria. After we wake up, our mouth typically secretes 0.3–0.4 ml of saliva per minute when not stimulated. Any reduction in these levels points towards Xerostomia.
How can I know if I am suffering from Xerostomia?
You may experience one or more of the following:
- Increased Thirst
- Cracked Lips
- Cracked Corners of the Mouth
- Bad Breath
- Burning sensation in the Mouth
- Sticky, Dry Feeling in the Mouth
- Trouble in Chewing, Swallowing, Tasting, or Speaking
- Dry, Rough Tongue
- A Raw Tongue
- Hoarseness
- Sore Throat
- Altered Taste
- Dry Feeling in the Throat
Why?
Local causes:
- High consumption of caffeine
- Increased intake of tobacco or alcohol
- Radiation therapy – Head & Neck
Systemic causes :
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Sjogren’s Syndrome
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Parkinson’s disease
Certain medications :
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Pain relievers
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Diuretics
- Anti-hypertensives
What happens?
- Dental Caries
- Periodontal Diseases
- Mouth Ulcers
- Fungal infections
- Inability to retain dentures
How to manage?
- Stay Hydrated - Make it a habit to take frequent sips of water throughout the day. Carry a reusable water bottle with you as a constant reminder to stay hydrated. Chewing on ice chips can be a refreshing way to keep your mouth moist. However, be gentle with your teeth to avoid any damage.
- Candy stimulant - Sucking on hard candies or chewing gum can encourage the flow of saliva in your mouth. While it's tempting to reach for regular candies or gum, especially when dealing with dry mouth, it's crucial to choose sugar-free alternatives. Regular sugar can contribute to tooth decay and cavities, which is the last thing you want to exacerbate when you're already contending with dry mouth.
- Avoid alcohol - Alcohol has a drying effect, and minimizing your exposure to alcohol-containing products can play a crucial role in preventing the worsening of dry mouth symptoms.
- Contemplate Employing a Humidifier – Increase the moisture in the air to prevent drying out of tissues especially during humid winters.
- Avoid certain over-the-counter medications – Certain medications like antihistamines cause dryness of mouth. Hence use only in need.
- Salivary substitutes – Certain drugs like pilocarpine, cevimeline, anetholetrithione showed promising results. But make sure to use it only after your dentist’s prescription.
In addition to the aforementioned factors, it's crucial to prioritize your oral hygiene when dealing with Xerostomia, as this condition can lead to an increased risk of developing cavities. Therefore, make sure to adhere to a routine of brushing your teeth twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste, flossing your teeth, maintaining regular dental check-ups and undergoing routine dental scaling.