Dry Mouth - Sunny Day Dental

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Dry mouth often occurs with aging, though age itself isn’t the direct cause. Instead, it results from various factors, including changes in bodily functions related to aging. As you age, experiencing dry mouth becomes more common, but it’s important to note that aging alone isn’t the direct cause. Rather, it stems from a variety of factors, including age-related changes in bodily functions. These shifts in your body’s processes can contribute to the onset of dry mouth, making it a frequent issue for older adults.

While uncomfortable, occasional dry mouth isn’t a serious concern. However, when it becomes persistent, it can lead to long-term health problems that range from irritating to potentially dangerous. Chronic dry mouth can cause mouth sores, cracked lips, splits at the corners of the mouth, increased plaque buildup, and a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Additionally, the lack of saliva can make it harder to break down food, potentially leading to nutritional deficiencies.

What Is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough saliva, leading to a dry and often sticky sensation in the mouth. While typically just uncomfortable, short-term dry mouth is common due to anxiety or stress and is usually not a major concern. However, when dry mouth is persistent, it can indicate more serious health issues and can lead to significant dental problems, including tooth damage and, in severe cases, tooth loss. As you age, your body may become less tolerant of medication side effects, increasing the likelihood of experiencing dry mouth.

Dry mouth can have many different causes, including:

Aging: As you age, your body may produce less saliva due to changes in bodily functions and increased use of medications.
Medical Conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer's, or autoimmune disorders like Sjögren's syndrome can lead to dry mouth.
Dehydration: Insufficient fluid intake or excessive fluid loss through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea can cause dry mouth.
Nerve Damage: Injuries or surgeries affecting the head or neck area can damage nerves responsible for saliva production.
Lifestyle Habits: Smoking, chewing tobacco, alcohol consumption, and recreational drug use can all contribute to dry mouth.
Radiation Therapy: Treatment for head and neck cancers can damage salivary glands, leading to reduced saliva production.
Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can temporarily decrease saliva flow, resulting in dry mouth.

Managing Dry Mouth

Even if your dry mouth isn’t persistent, it’s important to address it promptly. Fortunately, treating most cases of dry mouth is simple. Start by staying hydrated—sip water regularly throughout the day. Staying well-hydrated is crucial not only for managing dry mouth but also for your overall dental and general health. Remember, dry mouth can be a sign of dehydration, which poses serious health risks.

To manage dry mouth, try chewing sugarless gum and cutting back on salty, sugary, and caffeinated beverages. While sucking on ice cubes or sugarless hard candies might be suggested, it can harm your teeth, so it’s best to avoid them. Over-the-counter saliva substitutes are also available and can help alleviate the problem.

If you use tobacco or consume alcohol, consider reducing or quitting these habits. Even if smoking or drinking doesn’t seem to be the direct cause of your dry mouth, they can still worsen the condition. Additionally, both tobacco and alcohol are harmful to your health overall.

The most effective treatment for dry mouth varies depending on its cause. If home remedies or over-the-counter products don’t alleviate your symptoms, it may signal a more serious health issue. In such cases, consulting a physician or dentist is recommended to identify the underlying cause and determine the appropriate treatment.

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.