Xerostomia is a medical condition that can cause discomfort and interfere with speech and swallowing. If left untreated, it can lead to dental issues, such as tooth decay, increased risk of fungal infections, and other oral diseases.
What is xerostomia?
Xerostomia (better known as “dry mouth ”) is the condition of dryness of the oral cavity caused by a reduction in the flow of saliva. Saliva plays a fundamental role in the digestive process and in defense against bacteria. A reduction in salivation exposes the oral cavity to the risk of tooth decay, bacterial and fungal infections and can lead to difficulty speaking and swallowing.
Symptoms and causes of xerostomia
Among the general symptoms of dry mouth, a general dehydration of the mouth is reported. The throat appears red and sore, the nose is dry, and the lips are chapped. Additionally, a condition of bad breath may occur. Among the causes that can contribute to xerostomia are emotional factors (stress, anxiety and depression) and taking certain medications (antihistamines or diuretics). In particular, the latter seem to be the main responsible for approximately 90% of cases of xerostomia. Another cause may be some chronic diseases such as diabetes, HIV/ADS and Parkinson's disease, and some medical treatments (chemotherapy and radiotherapy).
How to diagnose dry mouth
The diagnosis of xerostomia is very important and requires specific tests to identify the direct cause. To diagnose xerostomia, you will need to contact your doctor or dentist and inspect your oral cavity. To check the degree of hydration of the oral cavity it is possible to use a tongue depressor. The tongue depressor will be held against the oral mucosa for 10 seconds. If once released it falls immediately it indicates that the salivary flow is normal, if it is difficult to remove the tongue depressor it means that there is a severe xerostomia. There are some tests that allow you to evaluate xerostomia and its degree of severity:
- sialometry, which is carried out by stimulating saliva production with citric acid or chewing paraffin;
- salivary gland biopsy, useful for verifying that there are no functional or morphological criticalities such as Sjögren's syndrome, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, tuberculosis, or cancer.
What to do about dry mouth?
The use of antidepressant and anti-inflammatory drugs can be one of the causes of dry mouth. Where possible it is advisable to speak with your doctor about replacing the drug or reducing its dosage, otherwise it will be necessary to intervene specifically on the causes that gave rise to xerostomia. Some remedies could include oral rinsing with special mouthwashes, the application of special mouth sprays, and prescription medications.
Furthermore, people suffering from xerostomia are advised to carry out professional oral hygiene treatments and regular check-ups at the dentist, to prevent the formation of cavities and promptly intercept oral cavity problems.
Here are some tips to combat dry mouth:
- stop smoking
- humidify the environment in which you live
- increase your fluid intake
- try to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth
- reduce the intake of alcohol, caffeine and spicy and salty foods
If you have chronic dry mouth, please see your dentist as soon as possible to get to the root of the issue and to being to protect your oral health.