Dry Mouth (Xerstomia)

Why does my mouth feel dry?

Reduced saliva flow that results in a dry mouth is a common problem among older adults. The technical term for this is Xerostomia. It is caused by certain medical disorders and is often a side effect of medications such as antihistamines, decongestants, pain killers and diuretics. There are hundreds of medications that list dry mouth as a possible side effect. It can also be caused by radiation therapy, atrophy of the salivary glands or reduced function from unknown causes. Some of the common problems associated with dry mouth include:

A constant sore throat
Burning sensation
Problems speaking
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness or dry nasal passages
More frequent damage to oral mucous membranes
Ulcers
Limitation to tongue motion
Impaired speaking
Compromised oral hygiene
Bad breath

Left untreated, dry mouth can damage your teeth. Without adequate saliva to lubricate your mouth, wash away food, and neutralize the acids produced by plaque, extensive cavities can form.
In patients who wear dentures, saliva functions to protect the denture-supporting soft tissues from direct mechanical trauma and the suction formed by the saliva retains the denture in place.

Your dentist can recommend various methods to restore moisture. Several saliva substitutes are available and most are effective in alleviating oral dryness.

Xero-Lube (Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals)
Saliva Substitute (Roxanne Laboratories)
Biotene and Oralbalance (Laclede Research Laboratories)

Sugar-free candy or gum stimulates saliva flow, and moisture can be replaced by using artificial saliva and oral rinses. Make sure the any preparation that is chosen has a neutral pH so that remaining teeth are not destroyed by a product that is too acidic.