Posted by Adem Litwin

Dry mouth, medically known as Xerostomia is the term used to describe the lack of saliva in the mouth. We all know the important part that saliva plays--- it moistens and cleanses our mouths and help us digest food. It also controls bacteria and fungi buildup in the mouth thus preventing infection. When we don’t produce sufficient saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Xerostomia is sometimes referred as cottonmouth, doughmouth, pasties or drooth. This type of condition is very common among smokers and excessive drinkers. 

Dry mouth is mainly caused by excessive clearance like when you breathe through your mouth. Other times it can be caused by hyposalivation—insufficient production of saliva.

We don’t usually produce enough saliva because of anxiety, physical trauma to the salivary glands, ducts or nerves, drinking alcoholic beverages, smoking or chewing on tobacco, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and dehydration. Xerostomia can also occur because of certain medications like antidepressants, antihistamines, urinary incontinence or overactive bladder medications and amphetamines. Illegal drugs such as cannabis and heroin can also cause the mouth to dry remarkably.

-Frequent thirst

-A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth

-Burning or tingling sensation in the mouth

-Dry feeling in the throat

-Dry, red tongue

-Hoarseness

-Sore throat

-Dry nasal passages

-Difficulty in tasting, chewing and swallowing

-Recurring Bad breath

Dry mouth won’t do you any good so please do not take it for granted. If you are not going to relieve the symptoms, you are increasing your chances for gingivitis, tooth decay and mouth infections such as thrush. All three mentioned oral health concerns can cause appalling breath odor. 

When you suffer from dry mouth or Xerestomia, you naturally produce less saliva. Less saliva equals less oxygen. What does this mean? If there is less oxygen in the oral environment you are nurturing an anaerobic environment, and this is extremely perfect for these sulfur-producing bacteria to buildup. In other words, the bacteria are now able to make high levels of sulfur gases which happens to make the breath worse. The way you taste food is also affected. 

Treatment goes as far as finding any correctable causes and removing them if possible. Unfortunately, in most cases it is not possible to correct dry mouth itself. All you can do is relieve the symptoms and avoid doing things that can make matters worse.

Here are a couple of things you can do to help relieve dry mouth:

1.) Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. You can also go for non-carbonated sugar-free fluids. Stay away from alcohol as it tends to aggravate the problem. You also have to avoid drinks with caffeine like coffee to prevent dry mouth.

2.) Opt for sugar-free candy or gum with Xylitol. Sucking on a candy or chewing a gum is a great way to stimulate saliva production. There are a couple of gums in the market that are especially made to treat symptoms of dry mouth like Biotene sugar-free gum.

 3.) As much as possible, breathe through your nose and not through the mouth. If you are suffering from clogged nose, you can try using a decongestant that will help promote nasal and sinus drainage. 


4.) Use toothpaste and mouthwash that are specifically made to combat dry mouth.