Do you also have a dry mouth? Let's talk about dry mouth (Xerostomia)

Sometimes, when we are late to drink some water, or when we are a little nervous, our mouth becomes dry. It is normal. But do you often feel dry and sticky in your mouth, almost all day long? Do you feel like your tongue is stuck to the roof of your mouth when you talk? Then it is not a good idea to simply give up on it. Today we are talking about this condition called 'dry mouth' that many people have, but do not talk about it much. In medicine, we call this 'Xerostomia'.

Simply put, what is dry mouth (Xerostomia)?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is the feeling you get when your mouth doesn't have enough saliva. Think of our mouth as a machine. To keep this machine running smoothly, it needs a lubricant. Saliva, which is produced by the salivary glands in our mouth, is the lubricant in our mouth.

This saliva does more than just moisten the mouth.

• Helps keep the inside of the mouth clean.
• After eating, brush and remove small pieces of food that get stuck between the teeth.
• Controls harmful bacteria in the mouth.
• It helps us start digesting the food we eat.
• Makes it easier to talk and swallow food.

So, when this saliva production decreases, we start to feel dry mouth. While it's normal to have this happen occasionally, if it persists, it could be a symptom of another underlying health problem.

What other symptoms are there besides dry mouth?

A sticky, dry mouth is the main symptom. However, you may experience many other things along with it. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

Why is my mouth so dry? What are the causes?

There are several causes of dry mouth. Sometimes, more than one cause can occur together.

1. Some medications

This is the main and most common cause of dry mouth. Some medications you take can cause decreased saliva production as a side effect. If you look at the package insert, you may see that it mentions "dry mouth."

The main medications that cause dry mouth are:

• Antidepressants and antianxiety drugs: These affect the nervous system and reduce signals to the salivary glands.
• Antihistamines and decongestants: These reduce the secretions in the body, which in turn reduces saliva production.
• Some medications for high blood pressure: especially diuretics, which increase urine output.
• Painkillers.
• Medications for Parkinson's disease.
• Medicines given to people who have difficulty controlling their urine (Anticholinergics).

2. Other underlying medical conditions

Dry mouth can also occur as a symptom of some diseases.

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to dehydration and dry mouth.
• Sjögren's syndrome: This is an autoimmune disease in which a malfunction in our body's immune system damages the glands that produce moisture in places like the eyes and mouth.
• Stroke and Alzheimer's disease: Damage to the brain can affect the nerves that control the salivary glands.
• Stone formation in the salivary glands (Sialolithiasis) or infection (Sialadenitis).

3. Other reasons

• Cancer treatments: Radiation therapy, especially for head and neck cancers, can permanently damage the salivary glands. Chemotherapy can also temporarily reduce saliva production.
• Mouth breathing: People who breathe through their mouths, especially at night, may have a very dry mouth in the morning.
• Dehydration: Dry mouth occurs when the body does not get enough water. However, this usually resolves with drinking water.
• Aging: Rather than a dry mouth simply occurring as we age, dry mouth is more commonly seen in older people due to the medications they take for various medical conditions.

What happens if you ignore dry mouth?

Don't think, "It's just dry mouth, is it that big of a deal?" If this condition persists, it can seriously damage your oral health.

• Tooth decay (Cavities): When saliva is lacking, harmful bacteria in the mouth grow out of control. Saliva also helps wash away small pieces of food that get stuck in the teeth after eating. When these things are lacking, teeth decay quickly and cavities begin to form.
• Gum disease: Due to the growth of bacteria, the gums can become swollen and start to bleed.
• Oral thrush: A fungus called Candida, which is controlled by saliva, grows uncontrollably when saliva is lacking, forming white patches in the mouth.
• Mouth sores: Due to constant dryness, there is a high chance of developing sores inside the mouth.

What can be done to treat this?

The best thing to do is to find the cause of your dry mouth and treat it. When you go to see a doctor, he or she will ask you questions, find out about the medications you are taking, and, if necessary, perform tests to find the cause.

• Changing medication: If this condition is caused by a medication you are taking, your doctor may change the dosage of the medication or prescribe a different medication instead.
• Treating the underlying condition: If dry mouth is caused by a medical condition like diabetes, this symptom will also decrease once the disease is well controlled.
• Medications that stimulate saliva production: In some cases, the doctor may prescribe medications that stimulate the salivary glands and increase saliva production (e.g., Cevimeline, Pilocarpine).
• Artificial Saliva: There are mouth sprays, gels, or mouthwashes that can be used as a substitute for saliva.

What can you do at home to reduce this discomfort?

In addition to the treatments your doctor gives you, making a few small changes to your lifestyle can greatly reduce this discomfort. Let's take a look at what you should do and what you shouldn't do.