- Common causes of dry mouth
- 1. Nutritional deficiencies
- 2. Autoimmune diseases
- 3. Use of medicines
- 4. Thyroid problems
- 5. Hormonal changes
- 6. Breathing problems
- 7. Life habits
- What to do
- Signs and symptoms related to dry mouth
Dry mouth is characterized by the decrease or interruption of saliva secretion that can occur at any age, being more common in elderly women. Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, asialorrhea, hyposalivation, can have several causes and its treatment consists of increasing salivation with simple measures or with the use of medications under medical guidance.
A dry mouth on waking can be a slight sign of dehydration and therefore it is recommended that the person increase the water intake, but if the symptom persists a doctor should be consulted.
If you think it is difficult to drink water, see what you can do to hydrate yourself.
Common causes of dry mouth
Saliva plays an important role in protecting the oral cavity against infections by fungi, viruses or bacteria, which cause tooth decay and bad breath. In addition to humidifying the tissues of the mouth, it also helps in the formation and swallowing of the bolus, facilitates phonetics and is essential in retaining prostheses. Therefore, when observing the presence of constant dry mouth, it is important to go to a doctor's appointment to start the appropriate treatment.
The most common causes of dry mouth are:
1. Nutritional deficiencies
Lack of vitamin A and B complex can dry out the lining of the mouth and lead to sores on the mouth and tongue.
Both vitamin A and complete B can be found in foods, such as fish, meat and eggs. Learn more about the B vitamins.
2. Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases are caused by the production of antibodies against the body itself, leading to inflammation of some glands in the body, such as the salivary gland, leading to dryness of the mouth due to decreased saliva production.
Some autoimmune diseases that can lead to dry mouth are Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Sjogren's Syndrome, in which in addition to dry mouth, there may be a feeling of sand in the eyes and an increased risk of infections, such as cavities and conjunctivitis, for example. See how to identify Sjogren's Syndrome.
3. Use of medicines
Some medications can also lead to dry mouth, such as antidepressants, antidiuretics, antipsychotics, antihypertensives and cancer drugs.
In addition to medications, radiotherapy, which is a type of treatment that aims to eliminate cancer cells through radiation, when carried out on the head or neck, can cause dry mouth and the appearance of sore gums depending on the radiation dose. See what are other side effects of radiation therapy.
4. Thyroid problems
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies that attack the thyroid and lead to its inflammation, which causes hyperthyroidism, which is usually followed by hypothyroidism. The signs and symptoms of thyroid problems can appear slowly and include dryness of the mouth, for example. Learn more about Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
5. Hormonal changes
Hormonal changes, especially during menopause and during pregnancy, can cause a series of imbalances in the woman's body, including decreasing the production of saliva, causing dryness of the mouth. Learn all about menopause.
Dry mouth in pregnancy can occur due to insufficient water intake, since the need for water in the woman's body increases during this period, as the body needs to form the placenta and amniotic fluid. So if the woman already drank about 2 liters of water a day, it is normal for her to increase this amount to about 3 liters a day.
6. Breathing problems
Some breathing problems, such as deviated septum or airway obstruction, for example, can cause the person to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, which can lead, over the years, to changes in the anatomy of the face and greater chance of getting infections, since the nose is not filtering the inspired air. In addition, the constant entry and exit of air through the mouth can lead to dryness of the mouth and bad breath. Understand what mouth breather syndrome is, causes and how to treat it.
7. Life habits
Life habits, such as smoking, eating a lot of sugar-rich foods or even not drinking a lot of water can cause dry mouth and bad breath, in addition to serious illnesses, such as pulmonary emphysema, in the case of cigarettes, and diabetes, in the case of excessive consumption of foods with a lot of sugar.
Dry mouth in diabetes is very common and can be caused by polyuria, which is characterized by the act of urinating a lot. What can be done to avoid dry mouth in this case is to increase the intake of water, but the doctor will be able to assess the need to change the diabetes medications, depending on the severity of this side effect.
What to do
One of the best strategies to fight dry mouth is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. See in the video below how you can drink more water:
In addition, the treatment for dry mouth can be done in order to increase the secretion of saliva, such as:
- Suck candies with a smooth surface or sugar-free gum; Eat more acidic and citrus foods because they stimulate chewing; Fluoride application in the dentist's office; Brush your teeth, use dental floss and always use a mouthwash, at least twice a day; Ginger tea is also a good option.
In addition, artificial saliva can be used to increase help to combat the symptoms of dry mouth and facilitate chewing of food. The doctor may also indicate medications such as sorbitol or pilocarpine.
Other important precautions to avoid getting dry lips are to avoid licking your lips, because contrary to what it looks like it dries the lips and to moisturize them, try using lip balm, cocoa butter or lipstick with moisturizing properties. Check out some options to moisturize your lips.
Signs and symptoms related to dry mouth
The symptom of dry mouth all the time can also be accompanied by dry and chapped lips, difficulties related to phonetics, chewing, tasting and swallowing. In addition, people who often have a dry mouth are more prone to tooth decay, usually suffer from bad breath and may have a headache, in addition to an increased risk of oral infections, caused mainly by Candida Albicans , as the saliva also protects the mouth against microorganisms.
The professional responsible for the treatment of dry mouth is the general practitioner, who may appoint an endocrinologist or gastroenterologist depending on its causes.
