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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
What is Dry Mouth?Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a non-life-threatening oral condition. It occurs when the salivary glands in the mouth don’t produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.It’s natural for your mouth to produce less saliva during sleep. This often causes bad breath and xerostomia in the morning. Usually, the sensation goes away or reduces upon waking.Chronic dry mouth can be attributed to diseases, medications, or problems with the salivary glands. These can cause a drop in saliva production or a change in a person’s saliva content. Children and adults who sleep with their mouths open are also more likely to experience dry mouth. Dry mouth reduces a person’s quality of life because it affects simple day-to-day activities, such as tasting, eating, speaking, and swallowing. Untreated xerostomia can cause cavities, dental erosion, and other oral health issues. Listen In Q&A Format Dry Mouth Causes, Symptoms u0026 Treatment NewMouth Podcast According to Dr. Nandita Lilly, an in-house dentist at NewMouth, "dry mouth can result from a myriad of health issues. Your dentist can help you determine the root cause and offer treatment options."Symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the patient’s lifestyle. Common signs of dry mouth include:Dry mouth, throat, and tongueThickened salivaDry or cracked lipsBad breath, especially in the morningScratchy or sore throatHoarsenessAbnormal voice changes or difficulty speakingAbnormal changes in tasteDifficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing6 Causes of Dry MouthDry mouth is directly related to the autoimmune destruction of the salivary glands (Sjogren’s syndrome). It can also be indirectly related to cancer treatment, prescription medications, recreational drugs, aging, or other oral health conditions.Common causes of dry mouth include:1. Cancer TherapyRadiation therapy used to treat cancers of the neck, head, face, or salivary glands can increase mouth dryness.Chemotherapy for any kind of cancer can alter the flow, thickness, and content of saliva. Xerostomia may result from this as well.2. Prescription MedicationsMany prescription drugs can induce oral dryness, including:AntidepressantsAnti-anxiety medicationsADHD medicationsDiureticsMuscle relaxantsPain medicationsNasal decongestantsHigh blood pressure medications3. Non-Prescription DrugsVarious non-prescription drugs can contribute to xerostomia:Tobacco slows down how fast your mouth produces saliva, thus leading to dry mouth. Vaping with artificial nicotine may also affect saliva production.Drinking alcohol, especially in excess, can cause dehydration, which can also cause dry mouth.Excessive use of marijuana or amphetamines can also cause dry mouth symptoms.4. AgingAs people age, the risk of dry mouth increases. Some health conditions associated with aging can contribute to mouth dryness, as can long-term habits such as:Poor nutritionSnoring and mouth breathingTaking certain medications5. DiseasesVarious diseases can affect salivary flow and cause dry mouth, including:Sjögren's syndrome, which directly attacks the glands that make tears and salivaHIV/AIDS, which can cause swollen salivary glands, resulting in oral drynessDiabetesHypertensionLymphomaHepatitis C6. Nerve DamageNerve damage
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