subject: Dry Mouth – A sign for a problem [print this page] Dry Mouth A sign for a problem Dry Mouth A sign for a problem
There are many teeth and mouth diseases, which are very unpleasant. In order to prevent them we should have a good oral hygiene and should visit our dentist regularly.
As you know saliva moistures and cleans the mouth. The saliva also helps the process of degradation of the taken food. It prevents infections by controlling the harmful organisms in the mouth. When we do not produce enough saliva we feel discomfort. This is very unpleasant and we call it "dry mouth" or "xerostomia".
The symptoms of xerostomia are: sticky sensation in the mouth; dryness; quick thirst; inflammation in the mouth; dry, irritated or ripped corners of the lips; dry lips; dry throat; burning sensation in the mouth, especially of the tongue; dry, red, coarse tongue; difficulties in speaking; hoarseness; chewing and swallowing; inability to determine the taste; sore throat; dry nasal secretions; hard breathing.
What problems may cause the dry mouth? Besides the fact that these symptoms may cause discomfort, they also provoke the development of gingivitis, destruction of teeth, infections in the mouth (fungus in the mouth). If a person has xerotomia he/she cannot wear dentures.
What causes the dry mouth? It is possible the dry mouth to be caused by different medications, no matter if they are prescribed by a doctor or given without prescription. These medicines can be for allergies, asthma, colds (containing antihistamine, decongestant), nausea, diarrhea, high blood pressure, acne, depression, psychotic disorders, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, muscle relaxants, painkillers. Xerostomia may be a symptom of anemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, HIV, mumps. Dry mouth can be a result of radiotherapy of the head, neck or the whole body against cancer, which damages salivary glands. Xerostomia may also be due to nerve damage in the head and neck, trauma or surgery. It can also appear with the loss of blood. The complaint is typical after removal of the salivary glands. The most common reasons are due to dehydration in conditions of fever, severe sweating, diarrhea, vomiting. Smoking or chewing tobacco deteriorates the condition of xerostomia and reduces the salivation effect.
Therapy: When taking medications that may lead to dryness of the mouth, a consultation with doctor is needed. It is possible for the dose to be adjusted or the medication to be changed. If the humidity of the mouth is not restored when the measures are undertaken, it is possible that your doctor will prescribe you a drug that stimulates the production of saliva.
What you should do in case of dry mouth is: to chew sugar-free gums, drink enough water, preserve the health of your teeth, use toothpaste with fluoride, have regular check-ups, breathe through your nose, use humidifiers in the room in which you spend the day, avoid the use of pharmaceuticals that can cause dry mouth.
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