Is Your Mouth Dry?
Dry mouth, the result of a decrease in saliva, can have many causes and can cause many problems. Early diagnosis is important.
Mar 27, 2017
Jul 07, 2020
Your HealthSheryl Kraft, a freelance writer and breast cancer survivor, was born in Long Beach, New York. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband Alan and dog Chloe, where her nest is empty of her two sons Jonathan. Sheryl writes articles and essays on breast cancer and contributes to a variety of publications and websites where she writes on general health and wellness issues. She earned her MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College in 2005.
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Think about it: Your dentist may be the only health professional who is checking your body from the neck up. And there's a lot of information about your health right in your mouth.
Like how dry it is.
"On a daily basis, I see patients suffering from dry mouth and the issues associated with this condition," says Houston, Texas, dentist Dr. Carol Alvarado, creator of a line of natural oral care products. Dry mouth is a growing problem in dentistry that can lead to problems like extensive tooth decay, gum disease, mouth sores or infections and bad breath, she notes.
Dry mouth, aka xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), is the result of a decrease in saliva, which is produced by the salivary glands in your mouth.
Why does this matter?
We all need saliva to defend our mouth against tooth decay and maintain our mouth's health. Saliva is responsible for washing away debris and neutralizing harmful acid. It's the first line of defense against microbial invasion, or overgrowth that might lead to disease, according to the American Dental Association.
Dry mouth is not exactly a function of age, although many people think it is. Let me briefly explain: Because it's more common for older people to take more medications—and medications are a frequent culprit—dry mouth is more likely to affect older folks, as are other health conditions that lead to dry mouth (more on that in a moment).
Medications that can cause dry mouth
Both prescription and over-the-counter drugs can be culprits. These include:
Health conditions that cause dry mouth
Certain medical conditions can result in dry mouth, including:
Other things that cause dry mouth
How to know if you have dry mouth
What you can do about dry mouth
"While there's no cure for dry mouth, the sooner it gets diagnosed, the less damage it does to your teeth, gums and overall health," says Dr. Alvarado.
More Reading:
Dental Cleanings May Help Keep Lungs Clean, Too
Many Americans Skip the Dentist Due to Cost
Is All That Flossing Really Worth It?