Proven Techniques For Dealing With Dry Mouth Syndrome Effectively

Dry mouth or xerostomia is a condition in which inadequate saliva is produced resulting in what is commonly called "cotton mouth." The causes of dry mouth can be a result of aging or a specific medication. For instance there is an established link between the pain killer lorcet and xerostomia. Hopefully a dry mouth cure will mean simply changing medication, but all too often the condition cannot be traced to one cause and must be controlled rather than cured.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Beyond the obvious, dry mouth symptoms include thick, stringy saliva and potential sores or split creases at the corners of the mouth. Bad breath will be present and you may have difficulty swallowing or speaking and trouble chewing. The tongue will have a burning sensation and food will taste "different." Expect more plaque on your teeth and cavities.

What Causes Dry Mouth

One of the most straightforward answers to the question "what causes dry mouth" is simply "age." As we get older, we produce less saliva. This condition is complicated by a degeneration of the thirst receptors in the brain. Your brain doesn't tell you you're thirsty, as a consequence of your age you're producing less saliva anyway, and together the two factors results in dry mouth.

Other medical conditions can be causes of dry mouth as well including Alzheimer's disease, endocrine disorders, stroke, anxiety, depression, and various autoimmune diseases. If dry mouth comes on slowly, it is most likely a result of aging. If it occurs suddenly, mention the condition to your doctor.

Stress induced xerostomia is common in younger people and will usually resolve itself with rest and increased intake of fluids. The use of tobacco products, cigarettes, cigars, and pipes or chewing tobacco and snuff aggravate dry mouth and given their link to cancer, should be avoided any way. Can Drugs and Medications Cause Dry Mouth? Most cases of dry mouth syndrome in older people are actually caused by the medications they take. Drugs for depression and anxiety cause dry mouth as do antihistamines, blood pressure prescriptions, muscle relaxants, and medications for urinary incontinence. If you suddenly begin to experience dry mouth after receiving a new prescription, ask your pharmacist about the medication you are taking and see if an alternate medication is available without the side effect of dry mouth.

Cancer patients on chemotherapy will have a particularly difficult time with dry mouth. The chemotherapy drugs effect the composition of saliva and the degree of its production. Radiation treatments for cancer may actually damage the salivary glands and prevent them from functioning normally.

Why Is Saliva Important?

Every day the average human produces three pints of saliva, a substance that lubricates the mouth and aids in speech. It protects the teeth against decay by helping to wash away food debris, by limiting the growth of bacteria, and by neutralizing acid. Saliva makes swallowing easier and the enzymes contained in saliva aid with digestion. When saliva is no longer present, you suddenly realize what an active role it plays in your mouth as eating and speaking are suddenly more difficult.

The stronger prescription diet pills including Phentermine and Adipex are widely known for causing dry mouth as a side effect. Even non-prescription pills like Phentramin-D can cause dry mouth because of caffeine content. Doctors recommend to drink at least 64oz of water daily when taking such diet pills because the effects on the central nervous system cause drhydration. Dehydration is one of the top causes of a low metabolism and the resulting storage of calories as fat rather than burning them off. So make sure to drink plenty of water to ensure your health.

Continue to : Guidelines for Dry Mouth Cure