Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Millions of people suffer with complaints of a dry mouth or Xerostomia. This problem can be temporary or permanent depending on the cause. The leading cause is a side effect of medication use. The 2000 report of the United States Surgeon General states that more than 400 drugs can cause dry mouth. Cancer patients may experience dry mouth with radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Systemic and Autoimmune diseases and conditions like diabetes, cystic fibrosis, parkinson's disease, alcoholic cirrhosis, renal disease, HIV/AIDS are examples of patients that may experience dry mouth. Also, eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia along with any malnutrition can cause dehydration and dry mouth. People who sleep with their mouth open at night commonly wake up with a dry mouth.
Depending on the cause of a person's dry mouth the treatment will change but, the following recommendations for dry mouth can help: 1.Discuss with your Medical Doctor changing your medication regimen. 2.Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of a prescription to help salivary glands work better (pilocaine and cevimeline). 3.Use artificial saliva substitutes. 4.Sip on water and avoid drinks with caffeine like coffee, tea, and soda. 5.Chew sugarless gum and hard candy. 6.Suck on ice chips. 7.Don't use tobacco and alcohol products because they dry out the mouth. 8.Limit salty snacks. 9.Use a humidifier at night. 10.Xylitol sugar substitutes increase saliva flow and inhibit tooth decay. 11. Use Mouth rinses, oral sprays, and toothpastes designed to treat dry mouth. Biotene has a variety of over the counter products that we recommend to our clients.