Dry mouth is a problem affecting around 10% of Australian’s, and it can lead to poor oral health outcomes if left untreated. Saliva is responsible for much more than just keeping your mouth wet and comfortable, and therefore any case of dry mouth should be investigated in order to determine the cause. With appropriate treatment and management, you can reduce your risk of experiencing adverse oral health effects caused by chronic dry mouth.
Why does Dry Mouth Occur?
Dry mouth (xerostomia) can occur for a variety of reasons, and it is often a symptom of underlying health problems. Healthy salivary glands typically produce between 1 and 2 litres of saliva per day, which helps to keep mouth tissues lubricated and healthy. Saliva is mainly comprised of water, but it also contains proteins, minerals, amylase (an enzyme which assists with carbohydrate digestion) and white blood cells. When saliva function is impaired, you will experience dry mouth.
Some of the most common causes of dry mouth include:
- Prescription medications
- Dehydration
- Nerve issues
- Treatment for cancer (radiotherapy/chemotherapy)
- Excess minerals leading to saliva duct obstruction
- Bacterial infection
- Mouth breathing
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Most people with dry mouth complain that their mouth feels excessively dry and uncomfortable, and they will typically experience issues such as:
- Cracked or dry lips
- Dry/rough tongue prone to cracking
- Mouth ulcers which don’t heal
- Persistent bad breath
- Thick or stringy mucus
- Difficulty eating or chewing
Why is Saliva so Important?
Saliva plays an important role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, whilst also supporting the digestive process. Saliva helps to neutralise acids within the mouth, helping to keep your tooth enamel and gums healthy. It also contains anti-microbial agents, which help to reduce the amount of bad bacteria within your mouth. Saliva is also rich in phosphorus and calcium, two essential minerals for the tooth remineralisation process.
Whilst everyone experiences a case of dry mouth on occasion, chronic issues should be investigated by your dentist or health professional. Dry mouth is a contributing factor to the development of serious oral health issues such as tooth decay and gum disease, and it can also affect your speech and make you more susceptible to oral infections.
Tips to Stimulate Saliva Production
Managing dry mouth is a straightforward process. In some cases, the following may be all that is necessary to improve saliva production and resolve your dry mouth.
- Stay Hydrated – experts recommend consuming around 2 litres of water daily
- Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet
- Avoid caffeinated drinks which can exacerbate dry mouth
- Minimise consumption of acidic food/beverage
- Chew sugar free chewing gum to stimulate saliva production
- Avoid smoking
If the above fail to improve your symptoms, then you should discuss treatment options with your dentist. Artificial saliva substitutes are one option, along with specialised toothpastes or mouthwash. If your dry mouth is caused by prescription medication, you should discuss your options with your doctor.
Worried about Dry Mouth? Visit Glowing Smiles Dental Today
Saliva plays an important role in maintaining optimal oral health. If you’ve been experiencing issues with dry mouth, please don’t hesitate to visit Glowing Smiles Dental today. Contact us to book an appointment at our Narre Warren or Doncaster East dental clinics.
