XEROSTOMIA
– Xerostomia is the condition of having insufficient saliva in the mouth, which can cause various problems such as difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, and tasting, as well as increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, mouth infections, and bad breath.
– Some of the possible causes of xerostomia are:
i). Medications: Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can reduce saliva production, such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, painkillers, blood pressure medications, and Parkinson's disease medications.
ii). Aging: Older people may experience dry mouth due to changes in how the body processes medications, poor nutrition, or other health problems.
iii). Cancer therapy: Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can affect the salivary glands and decrease saliva output, either temporarily or permanently.
iv). Health conditions: Some diseases or disorders can affect the salivary glands or the nerves that control them, such as Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and nerve damage.
v). Dehydration: Lack of fluid intake, fever, sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause dry mouth.
vi). Mouth breathing: Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose can dry out the oral tissues.
Some of the signs and symptoms of xerostomia are:
• A dry, sticky, or burning feeling in the mouth or throat.
• A thick, stringy, or foamy saliva.
• A cracked, red, or grooved tongue.
• A changed sense of taste or smell.
• Difficulty eating, speaking, or swallowing.
• Increased thirst or dry lips.
• Bad breath or mouth sores.
• Tooth decay, gum disease, or oral infections.
• Dry eyes, nose, or skin.
• Hoarseness, sore throat, or cough.
Some of the prevention and treatment options for xerostomia are:
• Drinking plenty of water or sugar-free drinks throughout the day and keep some water by your bed at night.
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies or ice chips to stimulate saliva flow.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and spicy, salty, or dry foods that can worsen dry mouth.
• Use a humidifier or a vaporizer to add moisture to the air, especially at night.
• Breathe through your nose, not your mouth, and seek treatment for snoring or sleep apnea if needed.
• Use artificial saliva products, such as sprays, gels, or rinses, that contain xylitol, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethyl cellulose to lubricate and moisturize the mouth.
• Use fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, gel, or trays to protect your teeth from decay and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritation.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleaning and inform them of your dry mouth condition.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medications can cause dry mouth and if they can be changed or adjusted.
• Ask your doctor if you can take medications that stimulate saliva production, such as pilocarpine or cevimeline, if your dry mouth is severe and persistent.
Dietary Recommendations for Xerostomia include:
• Eat soft, moist, and bland foods, such as soups, stews, casseroles, eggs, yogurt, pudding, ice cream, and smoothies.
• Add sauces, gravies, dressings, or butter to your foods to make them easier to chew and swallow.
• Cut your foods into small pieces and chew them slowly and thoroughly.
• Sip water or other fluids with every bite of food to help moisten your mouth and aid digestion.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are high in sugar or acid, such as candies, sodas, juices, and citrus fruits, as they can damage your teeth and irritate your mouth.
• Avoid foods and drinks that are dry, hard, crunchy, or sticky, such as bread, crackers, chips, nuts, or peanut butter, as they can be difficult to eat and may cause choking.
How to find out if your medications cause dry mouth:
– As earlier stated, having dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition where the mouth does not produce enough saliva, which can cause discomfort and increase the risk of dental problems. Dry mouth can have various causes, such as aging, dehydration, health conditions, or cancer therapy, but one of the most common causes is medications. Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth, such as antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, painkillers, blood pressure medications, and Parkinson's disease medications.
– To find out if your medications cause dry mouth, you can:
• Check the labels or the information leaflets of your medications to see if dry mouth is listed as a possible side effect.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medications you are taking can cause dry mouth, and if they can be changed or adjusted to reduce this effect.
• Visit a dentist for a check-up and inform them of your dry mouth condition and the medications you are taking. They can examine your mouth and recommend ways to protect your teeth and gums from dry mouth-related damage.
• Do a saliva test to measure how much saliva you produce. This can be done by your doctor or dentist, or by yourself at home using a saliva test kit. A saliva test can help determine the severity of your dry mouth and the possible causes.
– If you have dry mouth caused by medications, you can also try some tips to relieve your symptoms, such as:
• Drinking plenty of water or sugar-free drinks throughout the day and keep some water by your bed at night.
• Chewing sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies or ice chips to stimulate saliva flow.
• Using artificial saliva products, such as sprays, gels, or rinses, that contain xylitol, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethyl cellulose to lubricate and moisturize your mouth.
• Using fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, gel, or trays to protect your teeth from decay and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid irritation.
Or
• You can opt for a natural remedy such as activated charcoal (AC) that has herbal, anti-inflammatory and other medicinal benefits
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and spicy, salty, or dry foods that can worsen dry mouth.
• Using a humidifier or a vaporizer to add moisture to the air, especially at night.
• Breathing through your nose, not your mouth, and seek treatment for snoring or sleep apnea if needed.
