Do you keep moistening your mouth because you do not have enough saliva to keep it moist? You may find yourself doing this constantly throughout the day. People whose salivary glands do not work properly develop a dry mouth. So there may not be enough saliva to keep the mouth moist and comfortable.
Causes of dry mouth
It can cause problems with tasting, chewing, swallowing and speaking.
It can increase the chances of tooth decay and other mouth infections.
It can be a symptom of certain diseases and conditions.
It may be caused by certain medications or medical treatments.
Constant thirst and dry mouth
Do you keep moistening your mouth because you do not have enough saliva to keep it moist? You may find yourself doing this constantly throughout the day.
Symptoms include
A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
Problems with chewing, swallowing, tasting or speaking
A burning mouth
A dry feeling in the throat
Dry lips
A dry, rough tongue
Mouth sores
Why is saliva so important?
Saliva does more than just keep your mouth moist. The digestive system depends on it.
It protects against tooth decay.
It prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth.
What causes dry mouth?
People whose salivary glands do not work properly develop a dry mouth. So there may not be enough saliva to keep the mouth moist and comfortable. There are several reasons why these glands (the salivary glands) do not work properly.
Side effects of certain medications: more than 400 medications can cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva. Medications 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 cause dry mouth.
Radiotherapy: if the salivary glands are exposed to radiation during cancer treatment, they may be damaged.
Chemotherapy: the drugs used to treat cancer can make saliva thicker and cause dry mouth.
Nerve damage: head and neck injuries can damage the salivary glands and the nerves that trigger saliva production.
What is good for dry mouth?
Treatment for dry mouth depends on the problem. If you think you have dry mouth, consult your dentist or doctor. They can find out what is causing your dry mouth.
If dry mouth is caused by a medication, your doctor may change the medication or adjust the dose.
If the salivary glands are not working properly but are still producing saliva, your doctor or dentist may prescribe medication to help the glands.
Your doctor or dentist may recommend using artificial saliva to protect your mouth.
What can I do?
Get into the habit of drinking water or sugar-free drinks.
Avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, tea and some fizzy drinks. Caffeine can dry out the mouth.
You can drink water or a sugar-free drink during meals. This makes chewing and swallowing easier. It can also improve the taste of food.
Sugar-free gluten-free chewing gum, hard sweets, citrus fruits, cinnamon or sugar-free mints are good options for stimulating saliva flow.
Avoid tobacco and alcohol. They dry out your mouth.
Remember that spicy or salty foods can cause pain in the mouth.
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