What do I need
to know about dry mouth?
Dry mouth...
What is dry mouth?
Symptoms include
Why is saliva so important?
What causes dry mouth?
What can be done about dry mouth?
What can I do?
Tips for keeping your teeth healthy
For More Information on Sjögren's Syndrome
For printed copies of this booklet, contact
What do I need
to know about dry mouth?
Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while--if they are nervous, upset
or under stress.
But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be
uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems.
Dry mouth...
- can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking
- can increase your chance of developing dental decay and other
infections in the mouth
- can be a sign of certain diseases and conditions
- can be caused by certain medications or medical treatments
Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. So if you think you have
dry mouth, see your dentist or physician--there are things you can do to get relief.
What is dry mouth?
Dry mouth is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to
keep your mouth wet.
Symptoms include:
- a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
- trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking
- a burning feeling in the mouth
- a dry feeling in the throat
- cracked lips
- a dry, tough tongue
- mouth sores
- an infection in the mouth
Why is saliva so
important?
Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet.
- It helps digest food
- It protects teeth from decay
- It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth
- It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow
Without enough saliva you can develop tooth decay or other
infections in the mouth. You also might not get the nutrients you need if you cannot chew
and swallow certain foods.
What causes dry mouth?
People get dry mouth when the glands in the mouth that make saliva
are not working properly. Because of this, there might not be enough saliva to keep your
mouth wet. There are several reasons why these glands (called salivary glands) might not
work right.
- Side effects of some medicines. More than 400 medicines can
cause the salivary glands to make less saliva. Medicines for high blood pressure and
depression often cause dry mouth.
- Disease. Some diseases affect the salivary glands. Sjögren's
Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease can all cause dry mouth.
- Radiation therapy. The salivary glands can be damaged if they
are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment.
- Chemotherapy. Drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva
thicker, causing the mouth to feel dry.
- Nerve damage. Injury to the head or neck can damage the nerves
that tell salivary glands to make saliva.
What can be done about
dry mouth?
Dry mouth treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. If
you think you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician. He or she can try to
determine what is causing your dry mouth.
- If your dry mouth is caused by medicine, your physician might change
your medicine or adjust the dosage.
- If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce
some saliva, your physician or dentist might give you a medicine (called pilocarpine) that
helps the glands work better.
- Your physician or dentist might suggest that you use artificial
saliva to keep your mouth wet.
What can I do?
- Sip water or sugarless drinks often.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, and some sodas.
Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
- Sip water or a sugarless drink during meals. This will make chewing
and swallowing easier. It may also improve the taste of food.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy to stimulate
saliva flow; citrus, cinnamon or mint-flavored candies are good choices.
- Don't use tobacco or alcohol. They dry out the mouth.
- Be aware that spicy or salty foods may cause pain in a dry mouth.
- Use a humidifier at night.
Tips for keeping your
teeth healthy
Remember, if you have dry mouth, you need to be extra careful to
keep your teeth healthy. Make sure you:
- Gently brush your teeth at least twice a day.
- Floss your teeth every day.
- Use toothpaste with fluoride in it. Most toothpastes sold at grocery
and drug stores have fluoride in them.
- Avoid sticky, sugary foods. If you do eat them, brush immediately
afterwards.
- Visit your dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. Your dentist
might give you a special fluoride solution that you can rinse with to help keep your teeth
healthy.
For more information on
Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren's Syndrome is a major cause of dry mouth. You can get
information about dry mouth related to Sjögren's Syndrome from:
Sjögren's Syndrome Clinic
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Building 10, Room 1N113
10 Center Drive MSC 1190
Bethesda, MD 20892-1190
Tel: 301-435-8528
Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation, Inc.
333 North Broadway
Jericho, NY 11753
Tel: 516-933-6365
For printed copies of
this e-booklet, contact:
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
1 NOHIC Way
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-3500
Tel: (301) 402-7364
National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
NIH Publication No. 99-3174
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