Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about Dry Mouth *Xerostomia. Let’s dive in!
When Your Mouth Keeps Feeling Dry: Causes and Daily Management of Xerostomia
Many people often complain that their mouth feels constantly dry. Some even describe the sensation as if their mouth is burning. When saliva isn't produced properly, food loses its flavor, and tongue movement becomes less smooth, making speech unclear. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can significantly affect daily life — and it's more common than you might think. Around 40% of people over age 65 report experiencing it.
Why Does Dry Mouth Occur?
Saliva is normally secreted at a rate of 0.3 to 0.5 mL per minute. If less than this is produced, a person begins to feel dryness in the mouth. When saliva production drops below 0.1 mL per minute, it is diagnosed as xerostomia.
As we age, the salivary glands naturally shrink, reducing their function and saliva output. Certain medications can also cause dry mouth. Common culprits include antihypertensives, diabetes medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, and Parkinson's medications.
Other causes include dehydration, smoking, alcohol, and frequent caffeine intake. Psychological factors like depression or anxiety can also affect saliva production, as the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active during emotional distress. Additionally, mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth by allowing external bacteria and irritants to enter the body more easily — raising the risk of colds, asthma, and pneumonia.
Lifestyle Changes Are Key to Managing Dry Mouth
When visiting a clinic for dry mouth, the doctor will typically check whether your current medications are contributing to the condition. Blood tests may also be done to check for underlying causes like autoimmune disorders. Salivary gland scans and X-rays may be used as well.
However, 9 out of 10 patients with dry mouth don’t have a specific medical condition causing it — which is why lifestyle changes are so important.
Daily practices like frequent water intake and eating sour fruits or vegetables can help. Since saliva production decreases during sleep, using a humidifier in the bedroom is beneficial. When going out, carry water and sugar-free gum or candy to stimulate saliva.
Toothpaste containing surfactants may worsen dryness, so it's best to rinse thoroughly after brushing or choose a toothpaste designed for dry mouth that doesn't contain surfactants. If you breathe through your mouth, you may need corrective treatment, such as managing nasal issues like rhinitis or using mouth-taping solutions during sleep to prevent mouth breathing.
It’s also helpful to practice oral exercises that stimulate saliva production. These include using the tongue to massage the inside of the mouth or massaging the parotid and submandibular glands with your fingers. One study conducted by a U.S. nursing college had 21 patients with severe dry mouth perform these stimulation exercises four times a day for two days — and their dry mouth symptoms improved significantly.
Saliva is secreted from:
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Parotid glands: 20%
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Submandibular glands: 65%
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Sublingual glands: 7–8%
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Minor salivary glands: 10%
Massaging the submandibular and parotid glands, and using the tongue to massage inside the lips, cheeks, and tongue surface, can effectively increase saliva flow.
When Lifestyle Changes Aren’t Enough
If dry mouth doesn’t improve despite lifestyle changes, you can try using artificial saliva products or saliva-stimulating medications. To prevent inflammation inside the mouth, mouthwashes containing fluoride or disinfectants may also be recommended.
Artificial saliva is available in two main types: carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based and animal mucin-based. In Korea, CMC-based products are more common and come in spray or gel forms.
Saliva-stimulating medications include pilocarpine and cevimeline. In some cases, surgical treatment may be required, especially when there are issues with the salivary glands, such as inflammation, stones, or narrowing of the ducts, which prevent proper saliva flow.
When Is Surgery for Dry Mouth Necessary?
When the salivary ducts are inflamed or narrowed, they may become blocked, reducing saliva secretion. In these cases, salivary ductoplasty can be performed to reopen the ducts and restore flow.
If salivary stones (sialolithiasis) are present, older treatments required removal of the entire gland. However, modern methods allow for minimally invasive endoscopy to remove the stones. A 1mm endoscope is inserted into the gland for diagnosis, and a basket is used to remove small stones. For larger stones, a small incision may be made after partial extraction.
If the salivary duct is narrowed, a stent may be placed to widen it. These advancements help preserve the salivary glands whenever possible.
Early Detection and Care Are Key
Dry mouth, when managed early and properly, doesn’t have to affect your daily life. However, if left untreated for long periods, it can become difficult to reverse. It can interfere with basic functions like speaking and eating, and may lead to secondary health issues, ultimately lowering quality of life.
That’s why it’s important to have regular dental checkups, and if symptoms persist, to seek proper medical advice and professional consultation early.
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
