Xerostomia is the medical name for dry mouth. As such, it is a condition or a symptom, not a disease itself, although a few people may be genetically prone to producing too little saliva. Many different things can be responsible for causing it, with most not being serious. It is often colloquially referred to as cottonmouth.
Side effects of cottonmouth can be numerous, although most are more annoying than dangerous. People with severe cases may experience difficulty talking or eating. More mild cases can contribute to a much higher than normal number of cavities. This is because saliva actually helps protect the teeth by restoring enamel.
The lack of saliva that characterizes dry mouth can occur in two different ways. Dry mouth caused by evaporative loss involves breathing through the mouth and thus drying it out. This is common when people have colds, or are exercising hard. Lack of salivary production is more problematic, because it is not usually as immediately obvious what is causing the issue.
Uncontrolled diabetes and certain other diseases can be a reason for lack of saliva production, and thus dry mouth should be reported if you are experiencing any other medical issues. However, it is more commonly caused by certain medications, and some people who naturally produce less saliva can find themselves very dry when they smoke or drink alcohol. Stress and anxiety can also be linked to dry mouth.
A medical professional that assures an elderly patient that dry mouth is just a part of aging is not up to date on the current literature. Modern studies show that while most elderly people will suffer from cottonmouth at some point, it is almost always related to drugs they are taking, and not a part of the 'aging process'. Because a wide range of medications can cause this and most elderly people take at least one, it is easy to see where the idea came from.
Sometimes, the symptom must be treated instead of the cause. This may be the case for people who cannot stop taking certain medications, or for whom medicine cannot find a reason for the dry mouth. In these cases, sipping sugarfree liquids, chewing sugarless gum, and perhaps taking a medication designed to improve saliva production might be appropriate. Ask your doctor for additional ideas, if he or she cannot treat the underlying cause.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of your overall health, but it becomes even more essential when you are dealing with dry mouth. Saliva is not just water - it also contains important antibacterial, anti-fungal, and tooth enamel repair chemicals and enzymes. Without these in sufficient quantities, your mouth is more prone to infection and cavities.
If you are experiencing xerostomia, consider some of the simpler causes that you can treat yourself first. Making sure you are not dehydrated and avoiding smoking and both illegal and OTC drugs can bring some people relief, and help others at least figure out what the cause is not. Talk to your doctor if your cottonmouth does not resolve after drinking enough liquids and avoiding the common risk factors.
Side effects of cottonmouth can be numerous, although most are more annoying than dangerous. People with severe cases may experience difficulty talking or eating. More mild cases can contribute to a much higher than normal number of cavities. This is because saliva actually helps protect the teeth by restoring enamel.
The lack of saliva that characterizes dry mouth can occur in two different ways. Dry mouth caused by evaporative loss involves breathing through the mouth and thus drying it out. This is common when people have colds, or are exercising hard. Lack of salivary production is more problematic, because it is not usually as immediately obvious what is causing the issue.
Uncontrolled diabetes and certain other diseases can be a reason for lack of saliva production, and thus dry mouth should be reported if you are experiencing any other medical issues. However, it is more commonly caused by certain medications, and some people who naturally produce less saliva can find themselves very dry when they smoke or drink alcohol. Stress and anxiety can also be linked to dry mouth.
A medical professional that assures an elderly patient that dry mouth is just a part of aging is not up to date on the current literature. Modern studies show that while most elderly people will suffer from cottonmouth at some point, it is almost always related to drugs they are taking, and not a part of the 'aging process'. Because a wide range of medications can cause this and most elderly people take at least one, it is easy to see where the idea came from.
Sometimes, the symptom must be treated instead of the cause. This may be the case for people who cannot stop taking certain medications, or for whom medicine cannot find a reason for the dry mouth. In these cases, sipping sugarfree liquids, chewing sugarless gum, and perhaps taking a medication designed to improve saliva production might be appropriate. Ask your doctor for additional ideas, if he or she cannot treat the underlying cause.
Taking care of your teeth and gums is an important part of your overall health, but it becomes even more essential when you are dealing with dry mouth. Saliva is not just water - it also contains important antibacterial, anti-fungal, and tooth enamel repair chemicals and enzymes. Without these in sufficient quantities, your mouth is more prone to infection and cavities.
If you are experiencing xerostomia, consider some of the simpler causes that you can treat yourself first. Making sure you are not dehydrated and avoiding smoking and both illegal and OTC drugs can bring some people relief, and help others at least figure out what the cause is not. Talk to your doctor if your cottonmouth does not resolve after drinking enough liquids and avoiding the common risk factors.
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