2023-05-04 10:38:34
Today, Thursday, the Bulletin of the Family Health Care Institute, King Hussein Foundation, puts in the reader’s hands important information about the causes of dry mouth, which often occurs due to the side effects of some medications.
The institute’s bulletin explains the importance of saliva to the body, the lack of which may cause health problems, and shows how common dehydration is, especially among the elderly, in addition to the symptoms that accompany it, how to treat it, and the necessary measures to get rid of dehydration.
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when the body does not make enough saliva, which is the fluid produced by the salivary glands in the mouth and is important for oral health. A lack of saliva can lead to tooth decay.
Dry mouth is a symptom of a medical condition, not a condition in itself. It’s often a side effect of certain medications, such as antihistamines or decongestants that you take for allergies or colds.
Why is saliva important to the body?
Saliva maintains the health of the mouth and teeth. It cleans the mouth, keeps it moist and removes food. A lack of saliva can cause health problems including:
Bad breath (Halitosis).
– uncomfortable.
Oral hygiene problems, including cavities, tooth decay and other oral diseases.
Problems wearing dentures.
Speech and swallowing problems.
How common is dry mouth?
Dry mouth is common, especially among the elderly. It affects about one in five elderly people. Older adults are more likely to take medications that can cause dry mouth.
What are the most common causes of dry mouth?
Dry mouth occurs when something causes the salivary glands to produce less saliva. The most common causes of dry mouth are medications and radiotherapy, especially for head and neck cancer.
A large number of medications can reduce the body’s production of saliva. If you check the information that comes with the medicine, you may see “dry mouth” listed as a side effect.
Some medications known to cause dry mouth include:
Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants.
Anticholinergic drugs, used to treat many conditions, such as enuresis, overactive bladder and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
Antihistamines, decongestants, and some analgesics.
Certain medicines for high blood pressure.
Chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer.
Parkinson’s disease medications.
Other causes of dry mouth include:
Dehydration: Sometimes, your body lacks enough fluids. For example, if you’re sick, don’t drink enough, or sweat a lot, you could become dehydrated.
Mouth breathing: You may breathe through your mouth at night, especially if you have a stuffy nose (nasal congestion).
Medical conditions: Dry mouth can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and Sjögren’s syndrome, which is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack the glands that produce moisture. It mostly occurs in women who have gone through menopause.
What other symptoms come with dry mouth?
Symptoms include:
Bad breath.
Persistent sore throat.
Difficulty eating, speaking or swallowing.
Feeling of dryness in the nose.
– Hoarseness.
increased thirst
Ulcers or pain in the lip, tongue and mouth.
Taste disturbances.
Trouble wearing dentures.
More severe symptoms include:
– tooth decay.
Dry eyes and skin.
– Skin rash.
– Joint pain.
How is dry mouth treated?
Oral treatment is done by treating the cause, for example, tooth decay or problems with salivary gland secretion. Your doctor will review your medical history and medications in case they cause dry mouth, and then take the appropriate action.
Here are some tips for treating dry mouth:
Avoid decongestants and antihistamines as much as possible.
Drink water before swallowing the capsules or tablets to moisturize the mouth.
Take the medicine in the morning and not at night, as dryness of the mouth at night is more likely to cause oral problems such as cavities.
Eat easy-to-swallow foods, such as liquids.
Oral hygiene is essential if you suffer from dry mouth. Brush your teeth twice a day and use mouthwash. Doing so will help prevent tooth decay. Decay is more common in people with dry mouth.
Chewing and sucking stimulate saliva flow. Try chewing sugar-free ice cubes or snowballs, sugar-free hard candy or sugar-free gum that contains xylitol.
Try to avoid acidic, spicy, salty, dry, sugary foods and drinks, alcohol, caffeine and carbonated drinks.
Avoid smoking.
Also read:
Persistent dry mouth is an indication of serious infection
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