Saliva consists of 98% water and includes antibodies and enzymes as well as mucoproteins, which provide the silky feeling of saliva. If you have ever had difficulty sealing an envelope or licking a stamp due to a lack of saliva, you may have what is referred to as dry mouth.
Dry mouth will affect most people at some point in their life. It is often caused by stress, anxiety, smoking, excessive caffeine consumption or some medications. For the majority of people, dry mouth is only a temporary condition.
For some people however, dry mouth is an ongoing and concerning condition that can range from mild to severe. Dry mouth can cause discomfort, difficulty with speech, eating and swallowing and have a significant negative impact on oral health.
Dry mouth can be the result of a vast number of prescribed and over-the-counter medications including:
- Antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Anticholinergics
- Antihypertensive
- Diuretics
- Antipsychotics
Cancer treatment can also affect the salivary glands, which in turn may cause long-term or irreversible dry mouth.
Other causes of dry mouth may include
- Chemotherapy
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Hypertension
- Kidney dialysis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Parkinsons disease
- Stroke
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Lupus disease
For the relief of dry mouth, sip on unsweetened fluoridated water throughout the day. Chewing sugar free gum or lollies can stimulate saliva production, alleviating the symptoms and some ill effects of dry mouth.
Reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake, quitting smoking and maintaining a good oral hygiene routine in addition to regular appointments with the Smile Dynamics team, can help limit the impact of dry mouth on your oral health. In severe cases, altering your current prescribed medication can relieve dry mouth.
