Dry Mouth - Complete Health Guide

By Brian Warren

Dry mouth is a commonly occurring condition primarily among the older women folk. It is called as the Xerostomia condition which is primarily caused because of the absence of saliva to keep the mouth wet. Less amount of secretion of salivary glands is the main reason.

Xerostomia is a common condition that occurs in young adults too, mostly those in the age group of 20 years of age. Common symptoms of Xerostomia can be cited as: 1. A sticky, dry feeling in your mouth and tongue 2. Cracked lips 3. Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, tasting, or talking 4. Mouth sores 5. Frequent bad breath 6. Dentures that do not fit comfortably

Saliva is basically used to help people to chew, swallow and digest their food. It is also a basic protector of teeth, which prevents teeth from decay by washing away the any residual matter like sugar or acids produced by bacteria. When this saliva becomes less or is not produced sufficiently, this dry mouth condition occurs.

Many health problems can arise due to Xerostomia. Reduced saliva flow results in lower pH levels in the mouth, increasing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and oral infections. Xerostomia can also lead to dryness; a burning or sore feeling in the mouth or throat; bad or reduced taste; dentures becoming loose; difficulty in chewing, swallowing and even speaking.

Many preventive measures can be taken to avoid Xerostomia or dry mouth condition. Practice good hygiene. Brush/floss regularly and gargle on a regular basis. Celery, healthy liquids and parsley are good food substitutes to chew on. They retain moisture content and are good for weight management too!

Consume more than 8 glasses of water everyday. Avoid caffeine and alcohol consumption. Sleeping with an open mouth causes dry mouth condition early in the morning. Make a conscious effort to breathe through the nose. Steaming is a great relief for dry mouth as well as blocked nasal passages. The market is filled with various dry mouth products. There are medicinal lozenges that are highly effective for dry mouth. Ensure to choose only lozenges that offer long lasting relief. - 29879

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