Dry Mouth — Causes, Solutions, and Maintaining Oral Health

We all need saliva to keep our mouths clean and wet and to break down food. By keeping germs and fungus in check in the mouth, saliva also keeps you from getting infections. When you live in a place like New York and are always on the go, having a dry mouth can be even more of a bother.

If you do not make enough saliva, your mouth will feel dry and painful. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can be helped by a lot of different treatments. You can consult a dental practice in Pleasantville, NY, to learn more.

What does “dry mouth” mean?

People often have dry mouth, which means their mouth feels dry because it is not making enough saliva. Saliva in the mouth keeps it clean and fresh.

Some people have a dry mouth all the time, which could be a sign of a more serious health problem. One in five people has a dry mouth, and the chance of developing it goes up with age.

What makes your mouth dry?

Many things can cause dry mouth. Aside from that, just having a dry mouth does not always mean you have a bigger problem. If you think another illness is to blame or if you notice other signs, you should talk to your doctor about how to diagnose and treat the problem.

Some things that might cause dry mouth are:

Loss of water.

When you lose too much water without replacing it, you become dehydrated. This can happen if you vomit, have diarrhea, sweat a lot, or lose blood. If you are not drinking enough water, your body does not make as much saliva as it normally does. This can make your mouth feel dry.

Medicines.

Many medicines, like those for asthma, anxiety, diarrhea, high blood pressure, cancer, antihistamines, and diuretics, can cause dry mouth as a side effect. Also, these medicines can stop your body from making saliva, so you need to see a doctor right away if you think one of your medicines is making your mouth dry.

Getting radiation.

When you get radiation treatment to the head or neck, you may experience dry mouth. Radiation harms the salivary glands, which stops them from making saliva.

Stress and worry.

In times of stress or worry, your body makes more cortisol, which is known as the “stress hormone.” If the amount of cortisol in your saliva goes up, it can change the way it is made, which can make your mouth feel dry.