Xerostomia

Xerostomia is a state of lack of saliva, giving a feeling of having a dry mouth.

Saliva is essential for keeping the mouth moist and for cleaning the entire mouth and teeth; it neutralizes the acids produced by dental plaque and gets rid of dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums and cheeks. Saliva also prevents infections by reducing the number of bacteria and microscopic fungi. And when it comes to nutrition, saliva helps digest food by making it soft, and makes tasting, chewing, and swallowing possible.

Having a dry mouth is not only an uncomfortable condition but also a bad condition for the health of the teeth and the digestive system. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments to control this problem.

The causes of xerostomia

By knowing the causes of xerostomia, it may be possible to control it and prevent the factors that cause it. On the other hand, there are situations that are more difficult to control, especially if dry mouth is the result of an illness or medical treatment.

Here are the main causes of xerostomia:

Side effects of certain medications (List of Medications) can cause dry mouth. These drugs include those used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, high blood pressure (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson’s disease; xerostomia is also a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.
Side effects of certain illnesses or infections can affect the salivary glands. These include Sjögren’s syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, stroke cerebrovascular disease), and mumps.
The side effects of some medical treatments, especially for cancer, can cause damage to the salivary glands. For example, radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments can reduce the amount of saliva produced.
Smoking, or chewing tobacco, can affect saliva production and further dry out a mouth that is already dry; continuous mouth breathing can also contribute to the problem

Knowing the signs of xerostomia allows you to consult your dentist or doctor as soon as they appear. Here are the main symptoms:

sticky, dry feeling in the mouth;
frequent thirst;
minor injuries in the mouth, inside, on the lips or at the corners (ends of the lips);
feeling of dryness in the throat;
constant pain in the throat;
burning or tingling sensation in the mouth, especially on the tongue;
dry, red tongue;
speech problems (talking) or difficulty tasting, chewing and swallowing;
dry nasal passages (nose and throat);
bad breath.

Problème qui découlent du manque de salive

Problems resulting from lack of saliva

In addition to aggravating the symptoms mentioned above, dry mouth increases the risk of gum disease In addition, the risk of having cavities increases since saliva limits the growth of bacteria and partially cleans food debris and dental plaque.

Saliva enhances the ability to taste and swallow food. In addition, the enzymes contained in saliva help digestion. Xerostomia therefore compromises food intake because it decreases the ability to appreciate and digest food.

Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear prostheses (dentures) because contact with dry gums is difficult and painful.

Treatments for xerostomia

If xerostomia is caused by certain drugs, doctors may adjust the dose or substitute the drug with one that does not cause xerostomia.

Additionally, the doctor may prescribe a mouthwash to partially cleanse the mouth and keep it moist. If there is no improvement, a drug that stimulates saliva production, called Salagen, may also be prescribed.

Other measures that can help saliva production include:

take a candy or chew a sugar-free gum;
drink plenty of water to keep the mouth hydrated;
protect their teeth by brushing them with fluoride-containing toothpaste, using fluoride mouthwash, and visiting their dentist regularly for check-ups;
limit foods containing caffeine because this substance decreases the amount of saliva in the mouth;
do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol as they tend to dry out the mouth;
limiting alcohol consumption;
stop all tobacco use;
breathe through the nose instead of the mouth as much as possible;
add a humidification system to your bedroom to increase the humidity in the air.