It is important to know that dry mouth is not part of the aging process itself. However, many older adults take medications that can dry out the mouth, and taking more than one of these can make dry mouth even worse.
No, dry mouth is not part of the aging process itself. However, as people age, many may develop conditions that affect making saliva and they may take medications that can dry out the mouth.
Dry mouth can be due to certain health conditions, such as diabetes, stroke, yeast infection (thrush) in your mouth or Alzheimer's disease, or due to autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome or HIV/AIDS. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open also can contribute to dry mouth. Tobacco and alcohol use.
It's normal to occasionally have a dry mouth if you're dehydrated or feeling nervous, but a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying problem. You should see your dentist or GP if you have an unusually dry mouth (known as xerostomia) so they can try to determine the cause.
Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally—for example, when nervous or stressed. However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, swallowing, and even talking difficult. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay or fungal infections in the mouth because saliva helps keep harmful germs in check.
Dry mouth can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome or HIV/AIDS, as well as medical conditions like diabetes, stroke, yeast infection in the mouth, or Alzheimer's disease. It can also be caused by snoring or breathing through your mouth or, in rare cases, nerve damage around the head or neck.
But, if your mouth continually feels like the Sahara Desert, you may have xerostomia, a dry mouth condition where you don't produce enough saliva to keep your mouth moist. The reason for your dry mouth can have many causes—some temporary or permanent.
How common is dry mouth? Dry mouth is common, especially among older adults. It affects about one in five older adults. Older people are more likely to take medications that can cause dry mouth.
Common causes of dry mouth include: Many medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and medicines for conditions including high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, pain, heart disease, asthma or other respiratory conditions, and epilepsy.
In addition to the advice from your doctor, these tips may help relieve your dry mouth symptoms: Sip water or sugar-free drinks or suck ice chips throughout the day to moisten your mouth, and drink water during meals to aid chewing and swallowing. Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies.
Xerostomia is a symptom, not a disease entity, and can be temporary, reversible, or permanent.
One of the little-known culprits of dry mouth is a nutritional deficiency. One study found that 50 out of 67 people with xerostomia were also deficient in certain nutrients, including protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals.
About 10% of the general population and 25% of older people have dry mouth, which means they don't have enough saliva. A dry mouth is a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than a condition in itself. Treatment includes saliva substitutes, dietary changes and good oral hygiene.
Dry mouth is a common symptom of high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Sometimes dry mouth is the first noticeable symptom of diabetes. If you have dry mouth and think you could have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider.
More examples of soft natural foods that are helpful for people with dry mouth include tender meats like chicken and fish, smooth peanut butter, soups, canned fruits, soft cooked/blended vegetables like carrots or celery, mashed potatoes, soft-cooked pasta, oatmeal, ice cream, pudding, and popsicles.
While many people rely on water to cope with their dry mouth symptoms, it simply can't provide the ongoing relief needed. Since water doesn't contain moisturizers and lubricants, the relief is only temporary because once you swallow, the dryness soon returns.
Talk to your doctor about taking a B-complex supplement with thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, and B6. Dry mouth is an uncomfortable condition with many causes. Still, with the help of your dentist and these at-home remedies, you can learn how to manage the symptoms.
Dry mouth is a common clinical problem, and different products have been proposed to improve it. Making products such as mouthwash or lozenges using yogurt can help to reduce dry mouth.
An ENT specialist can help figure out the cause of the dry mouth and see if the salivary glands are producing enough saliva. Lab work and potentially a minor salivary gland biopsy to evaluate for Sjogren's disease may be recommended.
Conditions that affect the salivary glands and cause dry mouth, such as Sjögren's syndrome, are usually lifelong.
Try a mouthwash designed for dry mouth — especially one that contains xylitol, if you're not sensitive to it, such as Biotene Dry Mouth Oral Rinse, bioXtra Dry Mouth Ultra Mild Mouthrinse or ACT Dry Mouth Mouthwash.