Dry Mouth, What Is It?

Those that suffer from a dry mouth are suffering from a decrease in saliva production.  Saliva keeps the mouth moist.  Saliva also cleans the mouth and helps to digest the food that we eat.  Additionally, saliva also controls the bacteria within the mouth and helps to prevent infections that typically form in the mouth.

We all will suffer from a dry mouth at some point in our lifetime.  Some of the most common reasons for a dry mouth include:

□    Side effects of certain medications

□    Side effects of certain diseases

□    Side effects of certain medical treatments

□    Nerve damage

□    Dehydration

□    Damaged salivary glands

□    Hormonal changes

□    Lifestyle

For those that believe that they are suffering from a dry mouth here are a few of the most common symptoms:

□    Dry and sticky feeling in the mouth

□    Frequent thirst

□    Mouth sores

□    Burning, dry, and/or tingling sensation in the throat

□    Red, raw, and/or dry tongue

□    Bad breath

□    Dry nasal passages

□    Sore throat

□    Problems speaking

□    Difficulty tasting, chewing, and/or swallowing

Suffering from a dry mouth is an annoying problem especially if the dry mouth is due to the side effects of a disease or medical treatments in which the dry mouth is incurable.  If medications are causing a dry mouth, the dry mouth will normally subside once the medication is discontinued, but remember to consult a physician before discontinuing any use of a prescribed medication.

In order to alleviate some of the symptoms associated with a dry mouth here are a few ideas that have proven beneficial in promoting the flow of saliva within the mouth:

□    Chew sugar-free gum

□    Suck on sugar free candy

□    Drink plenty of water and avoid the sugary drinks and colas

□    Use a room vaporizer to add moisture to the room, especially the bedroom

□    Breath through the nose