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21 November 2013
| Last updated on 7 July 2015
Dry Mouth and Your Oral Health
Saliva does more than keep the mouth moist. It helps digest food, making it possible for you to swallow and chew. It is also one the body’s best defences against tooth decay. Saliva maintains the health of the soft and hard tissues in the mouth, and provides first-line protection against bacterial and fungal infection.
What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
- A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth and the throat
- Sores in the mouth, cracked lips, split skin at the corners of the mouth
- Difficulty in speaking, chewing, swallowing and tasting
- Burning sensation in the mouth and on the tongue
- Sore throat, hoarseness and dry nasal passages
- Bad breath
- Mouth infections
Medication side effects – Hundreds of medications can induce dry mouth. The list includes decongestants, diuretics, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, drugs used to treat urinary incontinence and Parkinson’s disease.
Medical conditions – Some diseases like Sjögren's Syndrome, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease may cause the salivary glands to make less saliva.
Chemotherapy – Cancer-fighting drugs may harm the normal cells in the mouth. Chemotherapy side effects may cause problems with the teeth and gums, soft mouth tissues and salivary glands.
Radiation therapy – When exposed to radiation, the salivary glands may get damaged and produce less saliva. This damage can even be a lifelong problem.
What can you do to ease dry mouth?
- Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty of water.
- Caffeine dries the mouth. Avoid drinks with caffeine such as coffee and tea.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candy to stimulate saliva flow.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol.
- Use a room vaporizer or humidifier to add moisture to the bedroom air.
- Ask your dentist, doctor or pharmacist for over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.
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Children's Dental Centre
Villa 1020 Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 1. Dubai, UAE
Tel: +971 4 3397700
Jumeirah Clinic
Villa 418 Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, PO Box 12372, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 349 5900, Fax: +971 4 342 0455
Email: [email protected]
Umm Suqeim Branch
Villa 1016 Al Wasl Road, Umm Suqeim 1, PO Box 213720, Dubai, UAE.
Tel: +971 4 394 9433, Fax: +971 4 395 5390
Email: [email protected]
