What is dry mouth ?
Causes of Dry Mouth
Consequences of ‘Dry Mouth’
How to manage the Symptoms and Effects of ‘Dry Mouth’?
What is dry mouth ?
The importance of saliva is often overlooked. Only when it is lacking do we recognize the fundamental role our saliva plays in maintaining our quality of life.
Most of us may experience a temporary dry mouth at sometime without any ill effects.
However, any persistent alteration in salivary gland function may create a decrease in the quantity or quality of your saliva. This lack of saliva can be referred to as ‘dry mouth’ or, in medical terms, ‘Xerostomia’.
When there is a prolonged lack of saliva we may feel thirsty more often, our mouths may feel uncomfortable and we may experience bad breath or difficulties in chewing and swallowing dry foods. For many of us, we may not be able to pinpoint the true source of the discomfort; we just know that something is not quite right.
The ‘dry mouth’ condition is considerably more prevalent than commonly recognized.
Research has suggested that as many as 1 in 5 of us will suffer the effects of ‘dry ‘mouth’ at some time in their life.
Causes of Dry Mouth
The causes of ‘dry mouth’ are varied:
Anyone experiencing a prolonged lack of saliva should consult a doctor or dentist as it may be an indication of a more serious problem requiring treatment.
Consequences of ‘Dry Mouth’
Apart from the discomfort and inconvenience of a lack of saliva, regular or constant ‘dry mouth’ will lead to a gradual deterioration in the condition of your teeth and gums, increased plaque, dry, cracked lips, an inability to taste your food properly, a persistent bad breath and, in some cases, a feel of burning in your mouth.
Denture wearers may also notice that their dentures become less comfortable and difficult to keep in place due to the lack of mouth moisture.
At night, the discomfort of a dry mouth may cause you to waken frequently.
Whilst the severity of the symptoms will vary from person to person, it is clear that the combination of these effects added to the difficulty in performing all the normal day-to-day functions of the mouth can severely affect your enjoyment of life.
How to manage the Symptoms and Effects of ‘Dry Mouth’?
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets can help to stimulate the flow of your own saliva so that your mouth can benefit from its natural anti-bacterial protection.
You may also achieve momentary relief by sipping water or using an artificial saliva spray or a refreshing mouthwash.
If you are suffering with chronic 'dry mouth' these measures will only provide temporary relief from the feeling of dryness.
Unfortunately, there are very few products on the market which provide a feeling of sustained moisture and lubrication - so important if you are suffering with ‘dry mouth´. Similarly, few can clean, refresh and protect your mouth as effectively as your own saliva.