Causes of a Dry Mouth and the Importance of Saliva

Oral health matters and it goes beyond just having white teeth and fresh breath. Everything related to oral health matters, including the gums, the condition of the jaw, the person’s diet, and saliva.

The importance of saliva can’t be understated. Saliva plays a key role in maintaining oral health and overall well-being. This includes from oral hygiene to digestion, lubrication, sensory perception and more.

In this article, we’ll be covering the importance of saliva and exploring dry mouth—a symptom also known as xerostomia. A dry mouth is when the salivary glands in the mouth don’t generate enough saliva to keep the mouth wet. We’ll be delving into what dry mouth is a symptom of, the most common causes, and how to prevent it.

The Causes of Dry Mouth

Xerostomia occurs when the salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to properly hydrate the mouth. Long-term, dry mouth can cause devastating results, impacting overall oral health. Various factors can cause it; these include:

• Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can cause dry mouth as a side effect. These include antidepressants, antihistamines (allergy medication), decongestants, stimulants, blood pressure medication, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and chemotherapy. If you experience dry mouth from medication, speaking to your doctor is important.
• Insufficient fluid intake can also lead to dry mouth. Dehydration is a common cause of the salivary glands’ production to reduce. Along with not drinking enough water, dehydration can be caused by excessive sweating, illnesses, and conditions like diabetes.
• Medical conditions can impact the salivary glands and reduce saliva production. These include diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
• Lifestyle can also play a massive role in oral health and dry mouth. For instance, smoking tobacco/nicotine reduces saliva production and can result in chronic dry mouth. Alcohol, caffeine, and recreational drug use, like marijuana, also impact saliva production.

Other factors contributing to dry mouth include aging, breathing from the mouth, and hormonal changes. If you’re worried about dry mouth, we recommend speaking to a professional. Using quality products like Oral 7 can also help prevent dry mouth.

Why Saliva Is So Important?

Saliva is a clear liquid produced by several glands in the mouth. It mostly consists of water and is important for digestion and tooth health. It plays a critical role in maintaining the health of the mouth and body.

Saliva is important because:

• It keeps the mouth moist and comfortable.
• It helps assist with chewing, taste, and swallowing.
• It helps guard and fight against germs in your mouth and prevent bad breath.
• Balances the pH levels in your mouth.
• Along with water, it consists of proteins and minerals that protect your tooth’s enamel, which also helps with preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
• It helps keep dentures in place and reduces wear.

There are six major salivary glands in a person’s mouth and hundreds of minor ones. Together, they all produce saliva that travels through tubes known as salivary ducts.

Normally, a person’s body produces 2 to 4 pints of saliva a day. What a professional considers a normal amount of saliva will vary from person to person and depend on their eating habits.

Too little saliva can cause problems that can impact digestion and overall health. Dry mouth is most common in older adults/seniors. Diseases like systemic disorders and autoimmune disorders can affect saliva production. Poor nutrition and certain recreational drugs can also contribute to dry mouth.

Although dry mouth is most common in older adults, it isn’t a natural part of aging. If you have any concerns regarding dry mouth, we always recommend speaking to a professional for advice.

Issues A Dry Mouth Can Cause

Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally, and it can even be caused by stress or anxiety. However, if dry mouth persists long-term, it can significantly impact teeth, gums, and overall health.

When saliva production reduces and dry mouth occurs, teeth enamel does not have the proper protection and coating. This can greatly increase the risk of tooth decay and wear.

A dry mouth can also result in a rough, dry tongue, problems with chewing and swallowing, bad breath, mouth ulcers, dry/cracked lips, and an increased risk of oral thrush infections. For those with dentures, it can also cause them to go loose, as dentures need saliva for suction.

A dry mouth can also foster an environment for germs and bacteria to grow, leading to gingivitis (gum inflammation) and periodontal disease (gum disease). If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss.

Long-term dry mouth can also lead to speech problems. A dry mouth can make it hard to speak clearly and cause discomfort, resulting in slurred speech.

In severe cases of dry mouth, reduced saliva flow can even lead to infections in the saliva glands. Oral infections that result from dry mouth can also lead to systemic health problems. Statistics show that they can lead to issues like cardiovascular disease, especially if the infection enters the bloodstream.

Catching and addressing dry mouth early is the key to prevention and treatment. Good oral hygiene, such as flossing and brushing your teeth, is also critical.

Treatments for Dry Mouth

There is a range of treatments, lifestyle changes, and preventative options available for dry mouth. Below, we’ve listed the most common remedies and lifestyle changes for tackling dry mouth.

• Chewing stimulates and increases the production of saliva. So, chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candies can increase saliva and help combat dry mouth.
• Caffeine is a massive contributor to dry mouth. Limiting caffeine intake can assist with preventing dry mouth.
• Making a lifestyle change and changing to a different mouthwash that doesn’t contain alcohol can assist with preventing dry mouth.
• Lifestyle changes, like cutting out smoking, vaping, and recreational drugs, can assist with preventing dry mouth.
• Saliva substitutes are available without prescription and can help relieve the symptoms of dry mouth.
• Prescription medication exists to help stimulate saliva production. This includes pilocarpine and cevimeline. If you’re experiencing dry mouth, you can speak to your dentist or doctor regarding possible medical treatment.

Book In For A Check Up And Clean With Admire Dentistry

Stay on top of your oral health with regular comprehensive check-ups and cleans at Admire Dentistry. Our experienced team of dentists can help with all facets of oral health, including dry mouth, bleeding gums, bad breath, and more.

At Admire Dentistry, we offer a range of dental services. Our team understands how important teeth and gums are to quality of life and overall well-being. With locations in the Arana Hills and Samford Village, our staff is backed by years of experience, helping bring out the best in people’s smiles.

Our team also understands how daunting visiting a dentist’s clinic can be. That’s why we strive to make our environment as trusting, gentle, and comfortable as possible. If you require any accommodations, our team will do our best to meet them and make you feel at home.

If you need any help with dry mouth or any other dental concerns, request an appointment online today or contact us.