Dry Mouth Symptoms and Treatment London

Symptoms of dry mouth

• Loss of moisture or sticky sensation in the mouth
• Thickflowing saliva
• Bad breath
• Problems with swallowing, chewing and speaking
• Dry or sore throat and hoarseness
• Dry tongue
• Abnormal sense of taste
• Difficulty using dentures

What causes dry mouth?

The salivary glands may be unable to produce a good amount of saliva for a healthy mouth as a result of:

• Medications: Dry mouth is a side-effect of many prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Examples include antidepressants and medications for anxiety, high blood pressure, pain, some antihistamines, etc.
• Ageing: As people become old, they have dry mouth, and it’s supported by poor nutrition, long-term illnesses, certain medications and alterations in the body’s processing of medication.
• Cancer therapy: Radiation from this treatment can impair salivary glands and cutback saliva production.
• Nerve damage: This causes dry mouth when the nerves in the neck and head are damaged by injury.
• Use of alcohol and tobacco: Symptoms of dry mouth exacerbate with smoking, drinking and tobacco use.
• Use of recreational drugs: Marijuana, methamphetamine and others can trigger dryness in the mouth.
• Other health conditions: Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and others can cause dry mouth. Again, dry mouth is caused by snoring and breathing with an open mouth.

Complications

Dry mouth can progress into:

• Sores in the mouth
• Severe plaque, tooth decay and gum disease
• Yeast infection in the mouth
• Cracked lips
• Inadequate nutrition as a result of the difficulty in chewing and swallowing

Diagnosing dry mouth

Your doctor will look at your mouth, scrutinise your medical history and all the medications you’re taking to identify dry mouth.

Blood tests, scans of salivary glands, or tests to check your saliva production may often be done to diagnose this condition. If Sjogren’s syndrome is responsible for dry mouth, a biopsy will be taken for laboratory testing.

Treatment for dry mouth

This depends on the cause of your dry mouth:

• Where dry mouth is caused by medication, your doctor may alter your dosage or change your medication
• Your doctor may prescribe some anti-dry mouth products like artificial saliva, moisturisers, etc.

Where dry mouth is severe, your doctor may recommend saliva stimulating medications like pilocarpine (Salagen). They may also prescribe tooth protection products like fluoride trays and chlorhexidine rinse for cavity control.

Self-care measures

These tips can prevent dry mouth symptoms at home:

• Sip water throughout the day and during meals
• Eat sugar-free gum and candies
• Use over-the-counter saliva substitutes like Mouth Kote
• Breathe through your nose
• Use room humidifier
• Use lip moisturisers for cracked lips

Avoid dry mouth stimulants like:

• Alcohol and caffeine
• Foods and drinks that are sugary and acidic
• Tobacco products
• Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines

Protecting your teeth can alleviate dry mouth, so:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and floss
• Before you sleep, rinse your mouth with fluoride rinse
• Visit your dentist every six months for a dental examination