Very dry in the mouth what to do. Causes of dry mouth and methods of elimination in the elderly and young people. Dry mouth and frequent urination: causes

23.03.2022

Violation of salivation is not such a rare problem. A fairly large number of patients suffer from increased secretion of saliva (hypersalivation) or from excessive dryness in the oral cavity (hyposalivation). At the same time, hyposalivation, which also has other names hyposialia, oligoptialism, oligosialia, if left untreated, can lead to an extreme degree of decrease in saliva secretion - xerostomia.

Dry mouth with reduced salivation is expressed by numerous negative sensations, reduces the quality of life of patients. In particular, hyposalivation is often the cause of caries,. This pathology may indicate the presence of a serious disease, so for any violation of salivation, you need to seek help from a specialist - a dentist, rheumatologist or maxillofacial surgeon.

How does increased dryness in the mouth and throat manifest itself, the reasons for the treatment of folk remedies, what are there? Today we will talk in more detail about this disease:

About why hyposalivation occurs, what are the reasons for its occurrence

The causes of dry tongue in the mouth and throat can be different. Let's take a quick look at the most common ones:

Very often, morning dryness occurs after sleeping with your mouth open. This phenomenon is especially typical for older people. In addition, at this age, physiological changes occur that cause a decrease in salivation. Therefore, hyposalivation is very often observed in the elderly and senile age.

Drying of the oral mucosa often occurs due to. In this case, it is enough to increase fluid intake so that the condition returns to normal.

Another quickly fixable reason is the passion for spicy foods.

Symptoms of hyposalivation

The main symptom, as we already know, is a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat. Patients complain of pain, difficulty in eating, swallowing. There are negative feelings during the conversation. There is also a burning sensation, the oral mucosa seems rough.

With this pathology, increased dryness of other mucous membranes is also often observed. With a long-term pathology, it increases, multiple caries develops.

Treatment of pathology

The first step is to appoint an examination, the purpose of which is to establish the underlying disease that caused hyposalivation. Sanitation of teeth is mandatory, including prosthetics (if necessary).

The patient is also prescribed local anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs are used that increase the resistance of the oral mucosa to the effects of various irritants, for example: Lysozyme and vitamins (oil solutions) A, E, D, R. An additional intake is recommended.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs, iodine-based products. Recommend galvanization procedures on the area of large salivary glands.

As symptomatic agents, anticholinesterase drugs are used: Galantamine solution subcutaneously, by the method, or orally for 1 month. Also, in the treatment, a 1% solution of Pilocarpine hydrochloride (drops) is used.

Saliva substitute gels such as Oralbalance and Bioxtra can help with dryness. The drugs are available in the form of sprays. Their use eliminates that caused by the activity of bacteria.

Treatment of dry mouth with folk remedies

During the treatment, it is recommended to dissolve more often refreshing sweets, dragees, and especially mint, lemon candies. Mint chewing is useful, an increase in daily fluid intake (if there are no contraindications). These funds increase salivation.

Folk remedies for hyposalivation help to improve the condition, but are not therapeutic agents. In addition, an accurate diagnosis is necessary for the appointment of adequate treatment. So do not waste time and visit a doctor. Be healthy!

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A common complaint with which patients go to the doctor is increased dry mouth. Such a symptom can indicate both local disorders in the oral cavity and dangerous pathologies of the internal organs.

With a one-time appearance of such a sign, you should not worry, but if it periodically worries a person, then you need to visit a doctor. He will conduct an examination and find out why it dries in the mouth and how to eliminate such an unpleasant symptom. To date, the elimination of such a pathological condition can be carried out both with the help of medications and with recipes for alternative therapy.

Often, increased dry mouth is one-time in nature and this condition is determined by the patient's lifestyle. There is such a thing as, which is considered as a manifestation of dehydration of the body.

Predominantly, this pathological condition progresses with insufficient fluid intake, and especially in the summer season.

It is possible to eliminate the pathology in such a situation due to a large amount of drinking, and prolonged dehydration can cause dangerous consequences.Bad habits such as alcoholism and smoking can provoke unpleasant symptoms. Drugs, and especially drugs with antitumor, diuretic and psychotropic effects, can also become the cause of xerostomia.

Drugs of the sympathomimetic group, as well as antihistamine, vasoconstrictor and antihypertensive drugs, can disrupt natural salivation.

In fact, most often such a side effect does not serve as a reason to stop treatment. It is possible to eliminate increased dry mouth with drug therapy by consuming a sufficient amount of liquid and after the end of treatment.

Possible diseases

A symptom such as dry mouth may indicate the progression of various dangerous pathologies in the human body.

Xerostomia may indicate the following diseases:

Diseases of the salivary glands. Mostly, the appearance of problems with the work of the salivary glands is observed in pathologies such as sialadenitis, sialostasis and parotitis. In diseases, there is a decrease in the amount of saliva secreted or its complete absence. In addition, the patient complains of severe pain, swelling and enlargement of the gland.
various infections. Acute tonsillitis, SARS, and other pathologies of an infectious nature are accompanied by the appearance of such symptoms as increased sweating and a rise in body temperature. With insufficient intake of fluid into the patient's body, dry mouth may occur.
Pathologies of the organs of the endocrine system. Predominantly salivation is disturbed in diabetes mellitus. Its characteristic feature is a constant desire to drink and dry mouth. This condition can be provoked by an insufficient amount of insulin, with the participation of which all metabolic processes occur in the body.
Injuries and disruption of the large sebaceous glands. Xerostomia can occur with injuries of the parotid, submandibular and sublingual zones. The consequence of such damage can be a rupture of the glands, which ends with the release of an insufficient amount of saliva.
Pathologies requiring the removal of the salivary glands through surgery. Most often, such an operation is resorted to with their malignant lesions and inflammatory pathologies of a chronic nature.
Sjögren's syndrome. When the disease affects the glands of external secretion, and it is this syndrome that is considered one of the most common autoimmune disorders.

Saliva is one type of fluid in the body and its loss in large volumes leads to the reduction of other types. The cause of this pathological condition can be vomiting, diarrhea, burns and fever, as well as internal and external bleeding. The consequence of any such violation may be increased dryness in the mouth.

Dry mouth during pregnancy

Xerostomia can appear in women during pregnancy and the causes of this condition may be different. Increased sweating, frequent urination and increased stress on the body can become the cause of such a pathological condition. It is possible to eliminate such a symptom and restore the body's water balance with the help of increased drinking.

In some cases, increased dryness in the oral cavity may appear with insufficient potassium or excess magnesium. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor and conduct appropriate treatment.

Sometimes women during pregnancy complain of a metallic taste in their mouths. Such a symptom usually appears with pathologies such as gestational diabetes and serves as a reason for a more thorough examination. It is necessary to determine the content of glucose in the blood and tolerance to it.

What is dangerous pathology?

Increased dry mouth may be a symptom of a dangerous disease or have nothing to do with it. It is important to conduct a thorough diagnosis and determine what provoked the disease.

When an insufficient amount of saliva is produced in the mouth, the normal balance of microflora is disturbed.

With xerostomia, there is an intensive growth of pathogenic microorganisms, which become the main cause of tooth decay and inflammation of the gums. Often in patients with a symptom such as dry mouth, a disease such as candidiasis is diagnosed. In addition, in such people, the lips become dry and inflamed, as well as cracks appear on them.

Diagnosis of the disease

To identify the cause that caused increased dryness of the oral cavity, it is necessary:

take a careful history of the patient
prescribe diagnostic procedures

With dry mouth, pathologies that could provoke a malfunction of the salivary glands should be identified. For this purpose, computed or magnetic resonance imaging can be performed, and a study of the level of trace elements, enzymes and immunoglobulins in saliva is also prescribed.

In order to identify any deviations in the process of salivation, sialometry is performed, that is, an assessment of the rate of salivation. The patient may be prescribed such types of diagnostic studies as sialadenolimphography, biopsy and cytology. In addition, the following laboratory tests may be prescribed to the patient with dryness in the oral cavity:

general blood and urine test
blood glucose assessment
serological blood test

In addition, additional diagnostic methods may be prescribed after studying the patient's history and complaints.

How to eliminate this symptom?

The only and surest way to eliminate dry mouth is to identify and eliminate the cause of such a pathological condition. It is possible to quickly get rid of xerostomia with the help of the right treatment, selected by a specialist.

In fact, there is no specific therapy for dry mouth. Experts recommend only a few activities that can be carried out at home.

To get rid of dry mouth, you can use the following methods:

First of all, it is necessary to increase the amount of fluid consumed and drink plenty of unsweetened and non-carbonated drinks. In addition, it is recommended to monitor the humidity in the apartment or house.
You should review your diet and reduce your intake of fried foods and salt.
Experts recommend giving up habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol, as these are often the cause of dry mouth.
You can use lozenges and chewing gums, which reflexively stimulate the production of saliva. With their help, it is possible to get rid of dryness in the oral cavity, at least for a while. It is important to remember that such products should be free of sugar, as it can further exacerbate xerostomia.
You can lubricate your lips with special balms, use special pharmacological preparations, and substitutes for saliva and tears.
Traditional medicine suggests rinsing your mouth with a decoction made from calamus root and blueberries. All components should be mixed together and pour a tablespoon of such a mass with a glass of boiling water. The remedy must be insisted for half an hour, then strain and rinse your mouth with it.
A good effect in the fight against xerostomia gives rinsing the mouth and wormwood. To prepare the product, it is necessary to pour 30 drops of tincture of each of these herbs into 200 ml of water. It is recommended to rinse the mouth with this solution several times a day before meals, and after the procedure, do not allow anything to eat for 20 minutes.
It is possible to stimulate the work of the salivary glands by chewing mint leaves. Cardamom spices, which can also be chewed after meals, also help eliminate dryness.

Dry mouth (the medical term xerostomia) is a condition in which not enough saliva is produced, resulting in a feeling of chronic dry mouth. Xerostomia is very common in the elderly and is also a side effect of various medications. Severe dry mouth can also be caused by an underlying medical condition. This article provides useful information about the top 20 remedies that can relieve the symptoms of dry mouth.

All the methods listed below to combat xerostomia are aimed only at eliminating an unpleasant phenomenon. None of them allows you to cope with the cause that caused dry mouth. Simultaneously with the fight against symptoms, it is strongly recommended to undergo an examination, the purpose of which is to determine the main cause of xerostomia. Often this is a very dangerous disease: for example, diabetes mellitus or an autoimmune pathology.

Minimum list of examinations:

Ultrasound of the salivary glands;
sialography;
general and biochemical blood tests.

The result of these analyzes is usually sufficient to determine the direction of further diagnostic search.

In addition to home remedies for dry mouth, do not neglect ways traditional medicine. Some physiotherapy procedures allow you to get rid of xerostomia for a sufficiently long period. The most effective methods are:

electrophoresis with potassium iodide on the area of the salivary glands;
galvanotherapy;
vibration massage of the salivary glands.

The combination of home remedies for eliminating xerostomia and physiotherapy can achieve even greater success in combating this phenomenon.

20 simple home remedies for dry mouth

As you know, dry mouth can be a very worrying condition in the long run. However, the following few simple home remedies can help relieve symptoms and prevent dry mouth attacks from recurring.

1. Ginger

You will need

3-4 cm ginger
1 cup water

What to do?

Take a small piece of fresh ginger and cut it into small pieces.
Place the ginger in a saucepan, cover with a cup of water and bring to a boil.
Strain the ginger tea and add honey to taste. Drink immediately.

Alternatively, you can simply chew on a piece of ginger throughout the day.

How often?

Drink ginger tea 2-3 times a day for best results.

Why it works

Ginger has many healing properties. This is due to the presence of a biologically active compound called gingerol. In addition, ginger stimulates salivation. This helps keep the necessary moisture in the mouth for a long period.

2. Green tea

You will need

1 teaspoon green tea leaves
1 cup water
honey (optional)

What to do?

Take a spoonful of green tea and brew it in a glass of water.
Strain the tea and add honey to taste. Drink immediately.

How often to use

Drink green tea 2 to 3 times a day for optimal well-being

Why it works

Green tea, like ginger tea, is also one of the best herbs for treating dry mouth. It has antibacterial properties and is able to prevent xerostomia. In addition, green tea is also a well-known salivary stimulant.

3. Aloe Vera Juice

You will need

¼ cup aloe vera juice / aloe vera gel
cotton pads

What to do?

Consume aloe vera juice or rinse your mouth with it.
Also, take some aloe vera gel with a cotton swab and apply it evenly inside your mouth.
Leave on for a few minutes and rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.

How often

You can consume aloe vera juice once a day. In case you apply the gel, you need to do it 2 to 3 times a day.

Why it works

Aloe vera has endless benefits when it comes to beauty and health. In the case of xerostomia, it is important that aloe can trigger the functioning of the salivary glands and increase the production of saliva in the mouth.

4. Pineapple

You will need

Fresh or canned pineapples

What to do

Cut up a fresh pineapple and just chew on the slice slowly to keep your mouth moist.
Alternatively, you can use unsweetened canned pineapple for the same.

How often?

Several times a day. No need to chew pineapple a little on the fly, because the acidic environment of the fruit can corrode tooth enamel.

Why it works

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, which helps cleanse the mouth. The fruit also helps in thinning saliva and enhances saliva production.

5. Lemon juice

You will need

½ lemon
1 glass of water
honey (optional)

What to do?

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water.
Add honey to taste. Store this juice and consume throughout the day.

How often

Excess consumption of lemon or other acidic fruits can lead to the destruction of tooth enamel. Therefore, limit the use to 5-6 times a day.

Why it helps

Lemons are very beneficial for improving health and beauty. The high amount of citric acid in lemons helps keep the mouth clean and fresh, and stimulates saliva production, which helps relieve dry mouth.

6. Orange juice

You will need

oranges
1 glass of water

What to do

Peel an orange and mix its juice with a glass of water.
Store in a bottle and consume throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.
Avoid drinking concentrated juice as this may worsen your condition.

How often

Drink diluted orange juice once a day.

Why it works

Like their counterparts (lemons), oranges are also rich in citric acid and have many health benefits. Orange juice maintains the freshness of the oral cavity, relieves bad breath. The citric acid also helps in stimulating the salivary glands and in this way orange juice relieves dry mouth.

7. Fennel (dill pharmacy)

You will need

1 teaspoon dill seeds

What to do

Simply chew fennel seeds after every meal.

How often

Do it daily.

Why it works

Fennel seeds are rich in plant metabolites called flavonoids. Flavonoids stimulate saliva production and help keep the mouth clean. The aromatic nature of dill seeds helps to normalize bad breath, keeping the mouth fresh for a long period of time.

7. Anise

You will need

1 teaspoon anise seeds
1 teaspoon dill seeds (optional)

What to do?

Take a few anise seeds and just chew them after every meal.
Alternatively, you can also mix anise seeds with dill seeds for extra flavor.

How often

Do this after every meal.

Why it works

Anise (scientifically called Pimpinella anisum) is an herb with many medicinal properties. Anise is prescribed as an appetite stimulant. Anise seeds are quite palatable and can help fight bad breath and dry mouth.

8. Rosemary

You will need

10-12 rosemary leaves
1 glass of water

What to do

Take about 10-12 rosemary leaves, add a glass of water and let it steep overnight.
Use this water as a mouthwash in the morning.

How often

Do this every morning.

Why it works

Rosemary has a no less wonderful aroma than fennel seeds. Rosemary is known for its antiseptic and soothing properties, which can be helpful in treating dry mouth.

9. Celery

You will need

2-3 celery stalks

What to do?

Just cut the celery into pieces and chew them all day long.

How often

Chew celery for dry mouth daily for optimal results.

Why it works

Celery is a vegetable that has a variety of health benefits. Celery is rich in vitamin C and also contains many beneficial enzymes and flavonoids. The ability of celery to hold water is especially useful to keep the mouth moist and also to increase saliva production.

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10. Parsley

You will need

Handful of parsley leaves

What to do?

Take a few parsley leaves and just chew them.

How often

Daily after every meal.

Why Parsley Leaves Relieve Dry Mouth

Parsley is an herb that is known to be rich in vitamins A and C, calcium and iron. Parsley can be called a natural mouth freshener. Plus, it's a cheap, natural way to treat dry mouth and n-related symptoms (18). It also has antibacterial properties that can be used to keep your mouth clean (19).

11. Olive oil

Olive oil has been used for centuries to maintain oral hygiene.

You will need

1 teaspoon olive oil (extra virgin)

What to do

Just hold the olive oil in your mouth for 10-15 minutes

How often

Once a day every morning.

Why it works

Olive oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due mainly to a compound called Oleocanthal. The cleansing effect of olive oil helps maintain moisture in the mouth and relieves the symptoms of dry mouth.

12. Coconut oil

You will need

1 teaspoon coconut oil (extra virgin)

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What to do?

Just keep coconut oil in your mouth for about 10-15 minutes.
Spit it out and brush your teeth as usual.

How often

Once a day every morning.

Why it works

Like olive oil, coconut oil also helps in maintaining sufficient levels of moisture in the mouth. It acts as a natural moisturizer and thus helps to eliminate dry mouth and all the unpleasant symptoms of xerostomia.

13. Fish oil

You will need

Omega-3 rich foods or fish oil supplements

What to do?

Include omega-3 foods like salmon and tuna in your diet.
Or consume about 500 mg of fish oil per day.

How often?

Twice a day for best results.

Why it works

Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce inflammation. Studies have proven that consumption of fish oil increases saliva production. Thus, fish oil can also be used to treat severe dry mouth.

14. Essential oils

Essential oils have natural healing properties and healing effects. Some of the essential oils are also known to help relieve dry mouth. They are listed below:

1. Peppermint essential oil

You will need

2 drops peppermint essential oil

What to do?

Put two drops of peppermint essential oil on your tongue.
Spread the oil throughout your mouth with your tongue.

How often?
Do this for a week, before every meal.

Why it works

Peppermint oil (scientifically Mentha Piperita) stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva. It also has a protective effect. The presence of a compound called Cineole in peppermint oil helps in speeding up the secretion of mucus in the mouth.

2. Essential oil of spearmint (spearmint)

You will need

1 to 2 drops spearmint essential oil

What to do?

Apply one to two drops of spearmint oil to your toothbrush. Or put 1-2 drops in a glass of clean water
Gently brush or rinse your mouth

How often?

After every meal.

Why it works

Spearmint oil is one of the main ingredients used in many toothpastes and mouthwashes. Spearmint can relieve bad breath and dry mouth due to its antibacterial and cleansing properties.

3. Essential oil of cloves

You will need

2 drops of clove essential oil

What to do?

Apply two drops of clove oil to the tongue.
Use your tongue to spread the essential oil of clove throughout your mouth.

How often

Repeat daily after every meal.

Why it works

Clove oil contains beneficial oils such as eugenol. Eugenol is an aromatic compound known as an anesthetic and antiseptic. These properties of clove oil help to get rid of the symptoms of dry mouth.

4. Essential oil of eucalyptus

You will need

2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

What to do?

Apply two drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your finger or toothbrush.
Apply gently throughout the mouth.

How often

Daily, after every meal.

Why it works

Similar to peppermint oil, eucalyptus essential oil also contains menthol. The aromatic nature of eucalyptus essential oil, along with its antibacterial properties, helps in treating bad breath and dry mouth.

15. Apple Cider Vinegar

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 glass of water

What to do?

Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well. Rinse your mouth throughout the day.

How often

Use apple cider vinegar for dry mouth daily.

Why it works

Acetic acid is one of the main components of apple cider vinegar, which thanks to it has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Apple cider vinegar is often used in folk medicine to treat diabetes and is an effective remedy for dry mouth.

16. Vaseline

You will need

petrolatum

What to do?
Apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your gums and lips.

How often

Daily, at night

Why it works

Vaseline is used to speed up wound healing and retain moisture. The use of petroleum jelly, therefore, can help treat dry mouth, especially at night.

17. Yoghurt

You will need

Yogurt

What to do?

Lubricate the oral mucosa with a thin layer of yogurt.

How often?

Use yogurt for dry mouth 2-3 times a day.

Why it works

18. Iron

You will need

iron supplements

What to do?

Persons over 50 years of age should consume about 8 mg of iron per day.
People between the ages of 18 and 50 can consume capsules containing 18 mg of iron per day.

How often?

Take iron supplements daily.

Why it works

The human organism needs an adequate amount of iron to function properly and maintain overall good health. Dry mouth is one of the most common and recurring symptoms of iron deficiency and can be improved with supplemental iron.

19. Cayenne Pepper

You will need

Pinch of ground cayenne pepper

What to do?

Take ground cayenne pepper on a wet finger and rub all over your tongue.

How often

Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day.

Why it works

Cayenne pepper, scientifically called C apsicum annuum "Cayenne", is quite a popular natural remedy due to its detoxifying properties and benefits to the digestive system. Cayenne pepper also has anti-inflammatory properties that are helpful in treating the symptoms of dry mouth.

20. Slippery Elm

You will need

½ teaspoon slippery elm bark powder

What to do?

Mix slippery elm bark powder with a few drops of water and gently rub the paste into your mouth. Then rinse your mouth.
In addition, slippery elm bark tea can also be consumed.

How often

You can apply the paste every morning or consume this tea 2 to 3 times a day.

Why it works

Slippery elm is a small tree with medicinal properties. The bark of this tree is often used to get rid of various ailments. It contains mucus that coats the walls of the stomach and soothes the stomach, throat, mouth, and intestines. Thus, slippery elm can help with digestion and inflammation. In addition, slippery elm's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help relieve severe dry mouth.

Prevention of dry mouth

You can easily try these home remedies for dry mouth because most of the necessary ingredients are in your kitchen. After you see positive changes in your condition, try to follow the preventive tips below to avoid dry mouth recurrences.

Prevention Tips:

Limit your caffeine intake.
Use sugar-free gum or sugar-free suckers.
Avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol.
Quit smoking.
Maintain adequate hydration
Try using moisturizing sprays and gels that are available without a prescription. They can act as saliva substitutes.
Use mouthwash products specifically designed to combat dry mouth.
Avoid using medications that can be a potential cause of dry mouth.
Avoid inhalation through the mouth. Try to breathe through your nose, especially at night.
Use a room humidifier at night. The device humidifies the air around you.
Avoid sugary and carbonated drinks.
Use fluoride toothpaste.
Consume foods rich in protein. In addition, include soups and broths in your diet.
Avoid eating dry foods such as bread, cakes, and crackers.

Dry mouth can be a major concern if it is a chronic condition. If you are among those who have suffered from a similar condition, try not to delay and begin to deal with the problem. It is always best to treat dry mouth early to prevent the problem from reoccurring. Since dry mouth itself is also a symptom of certain medical conditions and medications, please see your healthcare provider for an examination and advice.

Answers to questions from readers

- How can I get rid of dry mouth at night?

To prevent dry mouth at night, use a room humidifier to humidify the air. Alternatively, you can apply a thin layer of Vaseline to your lips to "seal in" moisture and keep your mouth from drying out.

- What causes dry mouth while working?

One of the main reasons for experiencing dry mouth while working is dehydration. Hot weather increases the chance of dehydration.

- How to prevent dry mouth in the morning?

After you wake up, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Use any of the natural remedies mentioned above as a mouthwash. Alternatively, you can also use over-the-counter mouth sprays or gels that are designed to keep your mouth moist.

- Which doctor treats dry mouth?

You can visit a dentist if you are experiencing dry mouth problems. However, if dry mouth is a symptom of an underlying condition, it is recommended that you visit your GP first.

- Can dry mouth cause any serious side effects if left untreated?

Severe dry mouth can lead to severe dental defects and gum disease if left untreated. The condition can also lead to persistent bad breath as a result of bacterial growth in the mouth.

One of the most unpleasant sensations that each of us has experienced is dry mouth. It can dry out in the mouth from excitement, malnutrition, or from various diseases, and it is very important to determine in time what caused the unpleasant sensation.

Why dry mouth occurs

Dry mouth can be both a symptom of a disease and an independent pathology.

Every day, the human body produces about 1.5 - 2 liters of saliva, which we need to moisten and dissolve the food bolus in the mouth, disinfect microorganisms that enter the mucous membrane, ensure normal acid-base balance in the oral cavity and many other functions.

If the amount of saliva produced is greatly reduced, a whole range of unpleasant sensations appears:

dryness and "stickiness" in the oral cavity;
constant feeling of thirst;
itching and burning in the mouth;
dryness and "roughness" of the tongue;
the appearance of cracks and irritation in the corners of the mouth and around the lips;
difficulty speaking;
difficulty chewing and swallowing food;
bad breath.

Dry mouth or xerostomia can occur, both in complete physical health, from external causes, and in severe pathologies of internal organs or diseases of the salivary glands.

In the absence of diseases Dry mouth can occur due to:

Lack of fluid in the body- oddly enough, it is not those who live in the arid regions of the Earth who suffer the most from a lack of fluid, but residents of megacities who spend most of the day in offices, and then return to air-conditioned apartments. A decrease in indoor humidity leads to an increase in the need for fluids - according to nutritionists, in order to replenish the normal balance, each of us needs to drink 100-200 ml of pure water every 2-3 hours and use humidifiers in all rooms where people stay for more than 2-3 hours. x hours in a row;
Improper nutrition- too salty, spicy dishes, an abundance of smoked meats, canned foods and sweets in the diet causes severe thirst, which occurs due to the large amount of salts in the body;
Increasing the room temperature- already with an increase in ambient temperature by 1 degree, the intensity of sweating can increase several times, which leads to gradual dehydration of the body;
Taking medicines- taking diuretics, antihypertensives, anticancer, psychotropic, vasoconstrictor, antihistamines and many other drugs can cause severe dry mouth. Most often this happens when the recommended doses are exceeded or the rules for taking drugs are violated;
Mechanical drying of the oral cavity- with difficulty in nasal breathing, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity dries up during night sleep or during the daytime. Dry mouth, pain and irritation of the mucous membrane torment the patient in the morning or constantly, causing irritation and causing diseases of the oral cavity or respiratory organs. Such a problem can occur both in childhood - for example, with adenoids, and in the elderly - due to weakness of the muscles that hold the lower jaw or in patients suffering from bronchial asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system and other organs;
alcohol poisoning- Strong thirst and dry mouth are familiar to everyone who has ever abused alcohol. In an attempt to rid the body of the decay products of ethyl alcohol as soon as possible, a person who has “used” accelerates metabolism and increases urination, which causes dehydration quickly;
Chemical poisoning- poisoning with salts of heavy metals, acids or any other chemical compounds can cause severe thirst, dry mouth, weakness, clouding of consciousness and fainting;
smoking- when tobacco smoke is inhaled, the oral cavity dries up, this is due to the simultaneous effect of hot smoke on the mucous membrane, deterioration of the salivary glands and vasospasm caused by nicotine;
Hormonal changes- due to hormonal changes in the body in adolescence, during pregnancy or menopause, a decrease in the secretion of the salivary glands is possible. Dry mouth due to hormonal imbalance, as a rule, is not too much of a concern, is not accompanied by any additional signs of salivary gland pathology and resolves on its own, without treatment.

Dry mouth - as a symptom of the disease

If dry mouth occurs regularly or constantly worries a person, you should definitely visit a doctor and exclude the following pathological conditions.

infectious diseases

Diseases of the salivary glands- Inflammation of the salivary glands caused by bacteria, viruses, blockage of the salivary ducts or hereditary pathologies can cause severe pain and swelling in the area of the salivary glands - behind the ears, under the tongue or behind the lower jaw. The main difference between the pathology of the salivary glands and other diseases in which dry mouth appears is local soreness and swelling in the area of the salivary glands, and when the infection spreads, the patient's body temperature rises, chills, general deterioration and headache appear.
Infectious diseases of the upper and lower respiratory organs- SARS, influenza, pharyngitis, bronchitis and other inflammatory diseases accompanied by fever almost always cause severe dryness in the oral cavity.
Infectious diseases of the digestive system- with colitis, enteritis and other intestinal pathologies, the patient loses a lot of fluid not only with sweat, but also with vomit and loose stools. Dry mouth in such diseases becomes the first sign of dehydration, which greatly complicates the course of the disease.

Endocrine disorders

Diabetes Dry mouth, increased thirst and increased urination are classic symptoms of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Unlike insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can develop in previously healthy older people, especially those who are overweight, have metabolic disorders, or have gastrointestinal disorders.
Thyrotoxicosis- Excessive production of thyroid hormones occurs in diffuse toxic goiter, thyroid adenoma and other pathologies of this organ. Patients are characterized by mood swings, increased sweating, weight loss, increased thirst, and persistent dry mouth.

Scarce States

Anemia- a decrease in the concentration of iron in the blood is very common, children, women of reproductive age and men suffer from this disease. Iron deficiency anemia can be suspected if there are several signs: weakness, dizziness, decreased performance, dry mouth, pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, taste perversion, brittle hair and nails.
B-12 deficiency anemia- with a deficiency of vitamin B 12, pernicious anemia develops, the clinical symptoms of this disease are almost the same as the signs of the disease with iron deficiency: dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, and so on. Pernicious anemia can be suspected by a change in the appearance of the tongue - it becomes smooth, bright red, as if "varnished" and by a violation of nervous sensitivity.
Vitamin A hypovitaminosis- lack of retinol leads to a sharp deterioration in the general condition of the body. The patient's skin becomes dry and flaky, dry mouth appears, sores in the corners of the lips, conjunctivitis and photophobia.

Traumatic injuries

Dry mouth can be caused by traumatic injury to one or more major salivary glands, their surgical removal, or injury to internal organs or large vessels.

Neurological disorders

Stress and nervous tension- Stress and long experiences can be accompanied by a strong feeling of thirst and dry mouth. Such unpleasant sensations arise before public speaking, the need to enter into an argument, or in other situations that require a lot of nervous tension from a person. In addition to dry mouth, a lump in the throat and loss of voice may disturb.

Much more severe disorders accompany inflammation or damage to the nerves that innervate the salivary glands - the glossopharyngeal, facial or medulla oblongata, where the centers of these nerves are located. With such pathologies, salivation can be greatly reduced or completely stopped, and in addition to dry mouth, the patient has violations of swallowing, speech, or recognition of taste sensations.

Systemic diseases

Systemic scleroderma- a severe systemic disease in which scar or fibrous tissue begins to replace the tissues of internal organs and blood vessels, causing irreversible changes in the appearance of the patient, pathology of all internal organs, narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and dryness of the mucous membranes. One of the characteristic symptoms of the onset of the disease, in addition to neurological disorders, pathology of vision and stiffness of the joints, is dryness of the oral cavity, which occurs due to the narrowing of the lumen of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands and the formation of fibrous tissue in these organs. Systemic scleroderma affects people of any age and for any health condition, so far the exact causes of the disease and methods of treatment are not known.
cystic fibrosis- a hereditary disease characterized by a change in the secretion of all human glands and disruption of the internal organs. Due to the fact that the salivary, sweat glands, glands located in the intestines, lungs and abdominal cavity begin to secrete too thick and viscous secret, it is impossible to fully breathe, digest food and metabolism in the body. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common hereditary diseases, usually this disease is diagnosed in children 1-2 years of age, with milder forms later. A characteristic sign of cystic fibrosis, in addition to abdominal pain and constant coughing, is dryness of the mouth and the deposition of salt crystals on the skin.
Syndrome or Sjögren's disease- the growth of lymphoid tissue in the salivary, lacrimal and other glands of external secretion causes a decrease in fluid production and patients suffer from dry mouth, pain in the eyes, frequent diseases of the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity and organs of vision.

Neoplasms

Dry mouth can occur with benign and malignant growths in the oral cavity. Most often, tumors of the glandular tissue affect the parotid and submandibular glands. At the beginning of the disease, the patient is not bothered by any symptoms, but as the tumor grows, pains appear during destruction or compression of tissues, dry mouth when the excretory ducts are squeezed, impaired taste sensitivity, problems with speech, chewing or swallowing when metastasizing to neighboring organs.

What to do with dry mouth

Persistent dry mouth is a reason to seek medical attention. Before starting treatment and examinations, the doctor should clarify the presence and absence of bad habits, lifestyle and living conditions, the amount of fluid consumed per day, and whether the patient is taking or has recently taken any medications and for how long.

If dry mouth is not caused by any external factors, then it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the pathology and only then begin treatment.

For diagnosis the patient is prescribed:

KLA - allows you to diagnose anemia and the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
OAM - to assess the state of the urinary system and diagnose some systemic diseases;
BAC - a blood test for the content of vitamins, minerals and other substances;
determination of glucose levels - to exclude diabetes mellitus;
blood for thyroid hormones;
ELISA and serological analysis - for suspected infectious and systemic diseases.

In addition to laboratory studies, the following are prescribed: ultrasound of the salivary glands, sialoscintigraphy - to study the amount and composition of the salivary secretion; sialometry - assessment of the amount of salivary fluid; probing the ducts of the salivary glands - to assess the patency; biopsy and CT - if a neoplasm in the salivary glands is suspected; MRI - to detect neurological pathology and other studies.

What to do

If the cause of dry mouth could not be found out, you can cope with an unpleasant sensation using the following methods:

giving up bad habits - reducing the amount of alcohol and cigarettes consumed or completely eliminating them often helps to solve the problem of dry mouth without additional treatments;
change in diet - with dry mouth, the diet should not contain foods that cause increased thirst - salty, spicy, too sweet or dry foods, as well as carbonated drinks, convenience foods and confectionery. In the menu you need to add more fresh vegetables and fruits containing a lot of moisture;
increase in the amount of liquid consumed - if the cause of dry mouth is ordinary dehydration, you can cope with it by making a habit of drinking 1/2 cup of water every 2-3 hours. Most often, the problem with dehydration occurs in people who work in conditions of high temperature, high air pollution or are forced to talk a lot, in this case, 1 glass of water, drunk after breakfast, before dinner, and 1 tablespoon of water before bed, in the absence of urinary pathology, will help to avoid dehydration. systems;
increase in air humidity in the room - it can be a humidifier, an indoor fountain, an aquarium, or just any container with water, with a large evaporation area;
stimulating saliva production - this can be helped by sucking on sugar-free hard candies, small slices of lemon, orange or grapefruit, or rolling nuts, beans or just smooth clean pebbles in the mouth;
frequent rinsing of the mouth - if you cannot drink more liquid, for example, during pregnancy, kidney disease or hypertension, you can simply rinse your mouth with cool water or infusions of medicinal herbs.

In severe cases, it is possible to prescribe drugs that stimulate the production of saliva or replace it in the oral cavity.

Dry mouth (xerostomia) - dryness of the oral mucosa, due to a decrease or cessation of secretion of the salivary glands. With chronic dry mouth, it is difficult for a person to speak, chew, swallow and taste, all this in general makes life rather uncomfortable.

Typical signs of this condition are:

Feeling of "stickiness" and dryness in the mouth
increased thirst
Areas of irritation on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity; cracks on the lips and at the corners of the mouth
Feeling of dryness in the throat
Burning or itching in the mouth (especially on the tongue)
The tongue turns red, becomes dry and rough
Difficulty speaking, tasting, chewing, and swallowing
Hoarseness, dryness of the mucous membrane of the nasal passages, sore throat
Bad breath

The oral mucosa can respond to various pathological processes and functional disorders in many body systems.

Causes of dry mouth that are not related to the disease

1. Insufficient drinking regimen (with a shortage of water, in hot weather, when eating highly salted food).
2. The use of a significant amount of various drugs (antitumor drugs, atropine, psychotropic drugs, diuretics, a group of sympathomimetics, etc.) has such side effects as dry mouth. Even antihypertensive, vasoconstrictor and antihistamine drugs help reduce saliva production.
3. When breathing through the mouth (in the elderly at night during sleep with an open mouth due to weakness of the muscles leading the lower jaw to the upper, with difficulty in nasal breathing due to polyps of the deviated nasal septum, etc.).
4. Frequent unreasonable rinsing of the mouth.
5. Smoking.
6. Alcohol intoxication.
7. Menopause.

Diseases that cause dry mouth

1. Diseases of the salivary glands(mumps, sialadenitis, sialolithiasis, sialostasis, Mikulich's disease). Common signs for each of these pathologies are a violation of salivation, up to a complete cessation, soreness of the gland, its increase, salivary colic (pain in the area of the salivary gland during eating), swelling in the area of the salivary gland.

2. Infectious diseases. Dryness in the oral cavity occurs both due to increased body temperature and sweating (influenza, sore throat, etc.), and due to significant loss of fluid with vomit and feces (cholera, dysentery, etc.).

3. Endocrine diseases. Diabetes mellitus is a disease based on the absolute or relative deficiency of insulin in the body, causing a violation of carbohydrate and other metabolic processes in the body. The characteristic symptoms of overt diabetes are thirst, dry mouth, weight loss, weakness, and polyuria (increased urine output). The volume of urine excreted per day can be 3-6 liters or more. Thirst and dry mouth are associated with a decrease in fluid in the body and inhibition of the function of the salivary glands.

Thyrotoxicosis is a pathological condition of the body that develops as a result of an increased content of thyroid hormones in the blood. Thyrotoxicosis is a complication of diffuse toxic goiter, thyrotoxic adenoma, multinodular hyperthyroid goiter. Patients complain of fear, increased irritability, sleep disturbance, tremor of the hands and the entire body, tachycardia, sweating, frequent diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, loss of appetite. Xerostomia occurs due to a violation of metabolic processes and increased excretion of fluid from the body.

4. Neoplasms of the oral cavity(malignant and benign). The parotid and submandibular salivary glands are most commonly affected. Benign tumors are more often located in the tissue of the gland, but can also be superficial. They are painless formations with a smooth or coarsely bumpy surface, densely elastic consistency, with a clearly defined capsule. Malignant tumors are a dense, painless nodule or infiltrate in the gland, without clear boundaries. With the progression of the disease, pain appears. The tumor quickly spreads to the surrounding tissues and organs and gives regional metastases. When the parotid gland is damaged, paralysis of the facial muscles occurs. Dryness of the oral cavity can be observed both due to the presence of the tumor itself (destruction, compression of the gland tissue and its ducts), and as a complication of radiation therapy of oncological processes in the maxillofacial region due to the direct effect of ionizing radiation on the neurosecretory apparatus and gland tissue.

5. Retinol deficiency(vitamin A) is manifested by pallor and dryness of the skin, its peeling, a tendency to pustular lesions. Dryness and dullness of hair, dry mouth, photophobia, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, frequent respiratory diseases, fragility and striation of nails, cracks in the corner of the mouth, hyperkeratosis (increased keratinization) of the oral mucosa are observed. Vitamin A deficiency leads to severe disorders of the epithelium, in which a change in the course of physiological regeneration (recovery) occurs and its atrophy develops. Increased desquamation of the newly formed epithelium of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands leads to their blockage and the formation of retention cysts. The secretion of saliva at the same time slows down, although the tissue of the gland itself is not affected.

6. Pathological processes leading to increased fluid loss: external and internal bleeding, massive burns, fever, frequent persistent diarrhea and vomiting, increased sweating.

7. Surgical removal of salivary glands carried out with extensive injuries, oncological processes, with chronic inflammatory diseases, if other methods of treatment were ineffective.

8. Major salivary gland injuries. Dry mouth is noted when the parotid, submandibular, sublingual areas are injured. Trauma can lead to rupture of the tissue and ducts of the gland, which can cause a violation of the formation and release of saliva into the oral cavity.

9. Nerve damage(mainly the glossopharyngeal and facial cranial nerves), which contribute to the work of the salivary glands or the center of salivation (the nuclei of the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves in the medulla oblongata).

10. Anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is characterized by pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, weakness, physical fatigue and mental lethargy, shortness of breath when moving, frequent dizziness, tinnitus, dry mouth, taste perversion (addiction to chalk, coal, lime).

11. Nervous excitement. Excitement, stress, high psycho-emotional stress sometimes cause dryness in the oral cavity in people with increased nervous excitability. Dry mouth goes away with symptoms of stress.

12. Systemic diseases.
Systemic scleroderma is a polysyndromic disease manifested by progressive fibrosis of the skin, internal organs (heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys) and vascular pathology such as obliterating endarteritis with widespread vasospastic (reduction of the lumen of the vessels due to contraction of the smooth muscles of their walls) disorders. The clinic reflects a specific skin lesion that changes the appearance of the patient (mask-like face, sclerodactyly) and various body systems (polyarthralgia, esophagitis, peptic ulcers, pneumosclerosis, cardiosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, etc.), symptoms progress over time. A common symptom is osteolysis of the nail phalanges, which leads to shortening and deformity of the fingers and toes. The defeat of the mucous membranes is manifested by dryness in the oral cavity, thickening and shortening of the frenulum of the tongue. Scleroderma is often associated with Sjögren's syndrome.

Sjögren's disease- a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by dry mucous membranes due to lymphoid proliferation of the external secretion glands.
Sjogren's syndrome is a symptom complex characterized by a combination of signs of damage to the external secretion glands (usually salivary and lacrimal) with a number of autoimmune diseases.
The course of the disease and Sjögren's syndrome are identical. However, the disease proceeds as an independent disease, and the syndrome occurs in combination with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic scleroderma and other diseases. Manifestations of pathology can be conditionally divided into systemic damage (recurrent non-erosive arthritis, myositis, interstitial nephritis, etc.) and symptoms associated with hypofunction of the external secretion glands (dryness of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, trachea, eyes, vagina, gastrointestinal tract). Patients complain of itching, burning, eyelid pain, photophobia. Recurrent bacterial conjunctivitis may develop. The defeat of the salivary glands leads to the development, most often, of chronic parotitis, accompanied by pain, swelling of the tissue of the salivary glands, and an increase in body temperature up to 38 - 40 ° C. In the later stages, there is a sharp dry mouth, the inability to speak, swallow food without adding liquid.

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disease characterized by a systemic lesion of the external secretion glands, manifested by a severe disorder in the function of the respiratory organs, the gastrointestinal tract and a number of other organs and systems. The disease manifests itself already in the neonatal period. With a good appetite, children do not gain weight, there is a paroxysmal cough, dryness of the oral mucosa, and viscous saliva. There is persistent dyspnea and cyanosis.

Diagnosis for dry mouth

When examining a patient, children's diseases (parotitis) are specified, which drugs are currently being taken, and bad habits. Inspect and palpate the area of the salivary glands. Based on the data already obtained, the doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis and determines the tactics of further examination.

Laboratory and instrumental examination for dry mouth

1. complete blood count (decrease in hemoglobin and the number of erythrocytes in iron deficiency anemia, scleroderma, an increase in leukocytes in inflammatory diseases);
2. urinalysis - microhematuria (the appearance of red blood cells in the urine), proteinuria (protein in the urine), cylindruria, leukocyturia with systemic scleroderma;
3. blood glucose (the norm is 3.3-5.5 mmol / l, an increase in glucose levels indicates a possible diabetes mellitus);
4. Blood for thyroid hormones: T3, T4, TSH. With thyrotoxicosis, the level of T3, T4 increases and TSH decreases;
5. Biochemical blood test: retinol in vitamin A deficiency below 100 µg/l, carotene - below 200 µg/l;
6. ELISA (enzymatic immunoassay) - antinuclear antibodies in scleroderma;
7. Serological analysis: rheumatoid factor in titer 1:80 in Sjogren's disease;
8. Ultrasound is performed to determine the size of the salivary glands, the presence of stones, tumors, cysts, neuritis, etc.;
9. Sialoscintigraphy - allows you to judge not only the secretory function of the salivary glands in general, but also about each phase of saliva formation separately;
10. Plain radiography - the method is used for sialolithiasis (salivary stone disease), with the possibility of foreign bodies of the salivary glands, with damage to areas of the jaw and facial bones;
11. Sialoadenolymphography - used for suspected metastases in the salivary glands;
12. Sialometry - is carried out if it is necessary to assess the excretory capacity of the salivary glands. Normal indicators: 1.0 ml of saliva in 7-20 minutes;
13. Probing of the ducts of the salivary glands is used to assess their patency;
14. Biopsy and cytology of saliva and the resulting biopsy - used in the presence of neoplasms of the salivary glands;
15. CT (computed tomography) - the method is effective for diagnosing neoplasms in the area of the salivary glands;
16. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) reveals the cause of the pathology of the salivary glands, neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal and facial nerves;
17. If it is necessary to study the qualitative composition of saliva, it is possible to determine the level of immunoglobulins, proteolytic enzymes, amylase, macro- and microelements, etc.

Dry mouth treatment

Treatment should be comprehensive, agreed with the doctor and include:

1. Treatment of the underlying disease that caused dryness in the oral cavity.
2. Refusal of bad habits (smoking).
3. If your dry mouth is caused by medication, then on the advice of your doctor, try reducing the dose.
4. Do not often eat heavily salted food.
5. If necessary - drink plenty of water.
6. Avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes.
7. It is possible to use drugs that replace saliva.

What is the danger of dry mouth

Dry mouth can be one of the first symptoms of many systemic diseases. Therefore, if possible, consult a doctor for an examination as soon as possible. Dry mouth increases the risk of gingivitis (inflammatory gum disease), tooth decay, and various oral infections (such as thrush). Dry mouth can also make it difficult to wear dentures.

Which doctor should I contact with dry mouth

Therapist, endocrinologist, rheumatologist, dentist.

Therapist Klentkina Yu.V.