Treating Dry Mouth

Posted by drgracesun on October 21, 2009 under Healthy Smile | Be the First to Comment

My husband is an avid snow skier, and has been hitting the slopes since he was 16 years old. Now, in his late 60s, the joints in his back have become dislocated, and eventually became herniated. The rough sport has taken its toll on his back – he has had five (yes, five) back surgeries over the past several years, and as a result, his many surgeries have left him with a constant, staggering pain – an all too common scenario with athletic individuals, especially in the sports medicine field. Having tried several medications (without much luck), he finally came across Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant that works for him. Taking the edge off of the pain however hasn’t come without its price – xerostomia, or dry mouth, is the major side effect which my husband – and many others – have a hard time dealing with.

Cotton mouth, dry mouth – xerostomia has many names, but the feelings associated with a dry, parched mouth and throat are all the same. Xerostomia is a condition in which the salivary glands of the mouth do not function as they should, and provide a less-than-adequate supply of saliva into the mouth. In the instance I mentioned above, xerostomia is not just a medical condition that derives from poor oral hygiene or bad dietary habits, but can be a unpleasant side effect from prescription medication. As  explained in an earlier blog post on toothmingle.com about dry mouth, xerostomia can stem from over 400 prescription and OTC medications, including anti-depressants, anti-hypertensives, painkillers (like Cyclobenzaprine) tranquilizers, analgesics, diuretics and antihistamines.

In most cases, as it was with my husband, the dry mouth side effect is more than acceptable, as his back pain was debilitating – but there are steps one can take to help alleviate xerostomia. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can parch the oral cavity , leeching moisture and making the effects of xerostomia even more pronounced than normal. Dry and salty foods, processed foods (such as potato chips, candy and doughnuts) will also cause the mouth to become dry and parched. Smoking will also leave the mouth overly dry and uncomfortable (not to mention its devastating effects on your teeth and lungs).

Drinking water will definitely help curb dry mouth, so take small sips of quality water often. The important things to realize is how important it is to keep your oral hygiene in top condition.  Oftentimes, the random decay associated with dry mouth is hard to treat; fluoride treatment at home or at a dental office is a good idea. Keeping a humidifier in your bedroom can also help to eliminate some discomfort with dry mouth.

There are over the counter and prescription drugs available to eliminate symptoms and signs of dry mouth; if home remedies and correction of your diet and habits does not solve the problem, consult with your dental or medical professional.