Dry mouth is a medical condition that is caused by a decrease in the production of saliva in the mouth. The condition is also referred to as xerostomia. In some instances, the patient may experience difficulties speaking or may not be able to speak at all. The condition may result in malnutrition, and if the situation is in severe stages, permanent throat and mouth disorders may result, which may cause impairment of quality of life. When in need of experts in dry mouth Newfoundlands is the place to go.
The prevalence level of the disease is relatively very high. It is approximated that it affects around ten percent of all people in the world. This percentage translates into several millions of people, looking at the current world population. It has also been proven that prevalence of xerostomia among women is higher than in women. Elderly people and individuals taking prescription and nonprescription medications are also affected more frequently.
The roles played by saliva in the oral cavity are many and usually unnoticed. Saliva is taken for granted yet without it life can be miserable. Its ability to lubricate provide comfort and protects oral tissues from effects of friction, sores, and ulcers. It fights off bacterial infection and acts as a neutralizer for acids. Without saliva acting as a solvent, tasting food would be a problem and digestion would be affected since the first steps are performed by saliva.
Causes for xerostomia are many and diverse. In most cases, it is a side effect that results from taking medications that reduce the production of saliva. Such medications include blood pressure medications, diuretics, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines among many others. Other major causes include hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, autoimmune, diabetes, salivary gland disease, sleep apnea, and radiation treatment for cancerous tumors in the neck and head region.
Xerostomia comes with many symptoms and signs that it can sometimes be confusing. Initial signs include difficulty or having trouble eating, swallowing, speaking, and tasting food. The symptoms become more apparent at night. Main effects that the patient may experience include bad breath, persistent cough, dry eyes, white tongue, dizziness, headaches, cracked lips, and pale gums among many others.
Diagnosis usually requires salivary glands to be inspected for for blockages. Measurement of saliva flow under stimulation and without stimulation is also done. No known method exists for preventing xerostomia. However, its effects can be highly managed. Chance of managing the effects are higher when the disease is noticed earlier.
Treatments for xerostomia are many and the choice of the method to use depends on various factors like personal preference of the patient. Major treatment options currently available are prevention of caries, yeast infection, saliva stimulation, and saliva substitution. Saliva substitution involves taking liquids that help in keeping the mouth wet. The liquids chosen should not have any alcohol content because that worsens the problem.
Saliva stimulation involves application of various methods that stimulate production of saliva. These could include chewing gum and use of lemon drops and various medications. Gums chewed should not have sugar in them while medications should be avoided by people with asthma and glaucoma.
The prevalence level of the disease is relatively very high. It is approximated that it affects around ten percent of all people in the world. This percentage translates into several millions of people, looking at the current world population. It has also been proven that prevalence of xerostomia among women is higher than in women. Elderly people and individuals taking prescription and nonprescription medications are also affected more frequently.
The roles played by saliva in the oral cavity are many and usually unnoticed. Saliva is taken for granted yet without it life can be miserable. Its ability to lubricate provide comfort and protects oral tissues from effects of friction, sores, and ulcers. It fights off bacterial infection and acts as a neutralizer for acids. Without saliva acting as a solvent, tasting food would be a problem and digestion would be affected since the first steps are performed by saliva.
Causes for xerostomia are many and diverse. In most cases, it is a side effect that results from taking medications that reduce the production of saliva. Such medications include blood pressure medications, diuretics, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines among many others. Other major causes include hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, autoimmune, diabetes, salivary gland disease, sleep apnea, and radiation treatment for cancerous tumors in the neck and head region.
Xerostomia comes with many symptoms and signs that it can sometimes be confusing. Initial signs include difficulty or having trouble eating, swallowing, speaking, and tasting food. The symptoms become more apparent at night. Main effects that the patient may experience include bad breath, persistent cough, dry eyes, white tongue, dizziness, headaches, cracked lips, and pale gums among many others.
Diagnosis usually requires salivary glands to be inspected for for blockages. Measurement of saliva flow under stimulation and without stimulation is also done. No known method exists for preventing xerostomia. However, its effects can be highly managed. Chance of managing the effects are higher when the disease is noticed earlier.
Treatments for xerostomia are many and the choice of the method to use depends on various factors like personal preference of the patient. Major treatment options currently available are prevention of caries, yeast infection, saliva stimulation, and saliva substitution. Saliva substitution involves taking liquids that help in keeping the mouth wet. The liquids chosen should not have any alcohol content because that worsens the problem.
Saliva stimulation involves application of various methods that stimulate production of saliva. These could include chewing gum and use of lemon drops and various medications. Gums chewed should not have sugar in them while medications should be avoided by people with asthma and glaucoma.
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