5 common questions about dry mouth

Dry mouth is a frequent symptom of Sjögren’s syndrome, as effectively as other ailments like diabetic issues and HIV/AIDS. Without plenty of saliva, or spit, it can be difficult to split down food items, swallow, and take care of your teeth.

The Nationwide Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Analysis solutions five frequent thoughts about dry mouth and Sjögren’s syndrome to aid you navigate this challenging ailment.

Is dry mouth a normal aspect of growing older?

No, dry mouth is not aspect of the growing older method itself. Even so, as men and women age, quite a few may perhaps develop problems that have an affect on creating saliva and they may perhaps take remedies that can dry out the mouth.

What can cause dry mouth?

• Remedies. Dry mouth is a side outcome of quite a few types of remedies, including those for depression, allergies and colds, and high blood force.
• Dehydration. Dehydration takes place when you reduce additional fluids than you take in. People of all ages can become dehydrated, but more mature grownups are especially vulnerable to it.  
• Radiation treatment. Salivary glands can be damaged if they are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment method.
• Chemotherapy. Medications employed to take care of cancer can make saliva thicker, triggering the mouth to truly feel dry.
• Harm to the head or neck. A head or neck injury can destruction the nerves that convey to salivary glands to make saliva.

What can I do about dry mouth?

Visit your dentist or medical doctor, who will try to identify the cause and may perhaps:

• Advise switching, or altering the dosage of, a treatment. But do not make any changes to your remedies right before speaking with your dentist or medical doctor.
• Prescribe remedies to boost saliva.
• Endorse using synthetic saliva.

Does dry mouth put me at danger for tooth decay?

Indeed. Since saliva shields from tooth decay, owning much less saliva can put you at danger. Preserve your teeth balanced by:

• Brushing at minimum twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing consistently.
• Browsing your dentist at minimum twice a calendar year. You can check with your dentist if you have to have a prescription-energy fluoride gel or rinse to aid reduce cavities.

If I have Sjögren’s, what can my dentist suggest?

To shield your teeth, your dentist may perhaps suggest:

• Working with fluoride pastes, mouth rinses, gels, foams, or varnishes
• Ingesting sufficient amounts of drinking water (eight to 12 eight-ounce glasses each day)
• Stimulating saliva production using sugarless lozenges, chewing gums, candies made up of xylitol, or remedies this sort of as pilocarpine and cevimeline
• Applying chlorhexidine, which can eliminate microorganisms
• Working with a calcium phosphate rinse to repair service tooth enamel