If you wake up in the morning feeling parched, join the growing club of millions who experience dry mouth. While it is common, it is not something you have to live with. Addressing this now can avoid larger health problems down the road. Here we share more about dry mouth, the causes and how to alleviate the problem.
What is Dry Mouth?
Lack of sufficient saliva in the mouth has a clinical term – hypo salivation. When your glands don’t produce enough saliva it leads to dry mouth, or xerostomia. Having saliva in the mouth is necessary as it kills bacteria and helps to keep your mouth clean.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
If you have a sore throat upon waking, burning in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or speech problems you are showing the signs of dry mouth. In addition to the symptoms in the mouth and throat, your nose and nasal passages can become dry.
Problems Dry Mouth Can Produce
Left untreated, dry mouth can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Cavities and tooth loss can easily occur in mouths that do not have enough saliva present. It can also affect your sense of taste and cause anxiety and depression.
What Causes Dry Mouth?
Dry mouth is usually not something that occurs on its own. It is usually a symptom of another condition. Medications, smoking, diabetes, Parkinson’s and other diseases can cause dry mouth. Here are reasons that you could be waking up with a dry mouth.
Medications
Over the counter medications that are used to treat sinus problems, sleeping conditions, nausea and vomiting and diarrhea could cause dry mouth. Prescription medications that treat high blood pressure, anxiety and Parkinson’s disease can also affect the amount of saliva in your mouth. Taking multiple medications also increases the risk for dry mouth.
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
When you sleep with your mouth open because of obstructed nasal passages, snoring or sleep apnea, you are prone to having dry mouth. Dry mouth in those with sleep apnea is more prevalent in those without the condition.
Diabetes
Dehydration or high blood sugar can also lead to dry mouth in those diagnosed with diabetes.
Alzheimer’s Disease
In the case of Alzheimer’s, the problem lies in reminding yourself to hydrate or not being able to notify caregivers of your need for water. For those suffering with Alzheimer’s, adding dehydration can to the mix can lead to dizzy spells and confusion which can further exacerbate the condition.
Sjogren’s Syndrome
The autoimmune disease affects connective tissues and glands. Dryness in the eyes and mouth is a primary symptom of the disease. These symptoms can be made worse by the medications used to treat the syndrome. While there is no cure for Sjogren’s, there are things you can do to treat dry mouth.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
While receiving radiation for head and neck cancers permanent salivary gland damage can occur. The dry mouth that occurs with this is usually a long-term problem. The dryness that occurs with chemotherapy is usually temporary and can happen while being treated or in the months and years after treatment has ceased.
Smoking and Alcohol Use
The acidic nature of alcohol can dehydrate you ad lead to dryness in the mouth and dental problems. The salivary flow rate can be affected by the continued use of tobacco.
Recreational Drugs
Methamphetamines, ecstasy and heroin slow the flow of saliva in the mouth. Especially in the case of methamphetamine, which is acidic, tooth decay can start almost immediately after use.
Problems Dry Mouth Can Produce
Left untreated, dry mouth can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Cavities and tooth loss can easily occur in mouths that do not have enough saliva present. It can also affect your sense of taste and cause anxiety and depression.
Ways to Prevent Dry Mouth
Talk with your physician and dental provider about treating your dry mouth. They will be able to suggest tips including:
- Staying hydrated. Drink water during the day and keep a glass at your bedside
- Chew on sugar-free gum or candy to increase the saliva in your mouth
- Stop Smoking and Limit alcohol intake. This can improve your overall health
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes specifically used to treat dry mouth
- Get screened for sleep apnea and discuss your snoring with your provider
- Add moisture to the air in your bedroom with a humidifier
When dealing with dry mouth, it is important to get to the root of what is causing the problem and addressing it. In cases where dry mouth is caused by serious disease or the medications used to treat serious disease, it is important to talk to your dentist about ways to treat and prevent dry mouth. They can also treat any adverse effects that dry mouth has had on your dental health.
Book an appointment now with our Long Beach dental team by calling 562-434-6414, or by requesting an appointment online.
