The condition known as dry mouth (also referred to as xerostomia) is characterized by a parched or dry feeling in the mouth and can also result in other symptoms like bad breath, a dry throat, and cracked lips.
Saliva serves as a crucial defense mechanism for the body to maintain good dental health, guarding the mouth against gum disease and tooth decay. Saliva is a necessary component of the digestion process because it helps moisten and break down food.
Even though dry mouth is not a serious medical condition in and of itself, it can occasionally be a sign of another condition that needs to be treated and cause complications like tooth decay.
SYMPTOMS OF DRY MOUTH
- Having a dry mouth or feeling like it’s sticky
- a thick, stringy, and viscous saliva
- Bad breath
- Speech, swallowing, and chewing difficulties
- hoarseness, a sore or dry throat,
- Dry or grooved tongue
- A modified taste perception
- Problems wearing dentures
Lipstick may also adhere to the teeth when you have a dry mouth.
CAUSES OF DRY MOUTH
The salivary glands in the mouth, which are responsible for producing saliva to keep the mouth moist, may not function properly, which can lead to dry mouth.
- Medications –Hundreds of medications, including many over-the-counter drugs, cause dry mouth as a side effect; among the more likely types to do so are some antihistamines, decongestants, muscle relaxants, and painkillers, as well as some drugs for depression, high blood pressure, and anxiety.
- Aging –Dry mouth is a common aging condition that can be caused by taking certain medications, changes in how the body processes medications, poor nutrition, and chronic health issues.
- Cancer therapy –Radiation treatments to our head and neck can damage salivary glands, causing a marked decrease in saliva production. Depending on the radiation dose and area treated, this may be temporary or permanent. Chemotherapy drugs can change the nature and amount of saliva produced, but this is usually temporary, with normal salivary flow returning after treatment is finished.
- Nerve damage –Dry mouth can be a side effect of an operation or injury that damages the nerves in our head and neck.
- Other health conditions –Dry mouth can be brought on by snoring and mouth breathing, as well as by autoimmune diseases like Sjogren’s syndrome or HIV/AIDS, diabetes, stroke, yeast infection (thrush) in the mouth, Alzheimer’s disease, or Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
- Tobacco and alcohol use –Alcohol consumption, smoking, or tobacco use can all worsen the effects of dry mouth.
- Recreational drug use –The condition known as “meth mouth,” which is brought on by the use of methamphetamine, can result in extreme dry mouth and tooth damage.
COMPLICATIONS OF DRY MOUTH
- gum disease, tooth decay, and more plaque
- Mouth sores
- Thrush, a type of oral yeast infection
- Cracked lips, sores, or split skin around the mouth’s corners
- Nutritional deficiencies brought on by difficulties swallowing and chewing
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR DRY MOUTH
BRYONIA :Useful for dry mouth that is accompanied by noticeably parched lips, throat, and tongue. Administered when thirst is increased and drinking temporarily relieves dryness. There is an unpleasant, offensive odor coming from the mouth along with foaming saliva.
NUX MOSCHATA :When the dryness of the mouth and throat is very disruptive to sleep, it is given as a treatment. It is also helpful when a persistent bad taste and foul, bitter, or sour odor come from the mouth.
NATRUM MUR :The tongue appears clean and shiny, there is a burning sensation at the tip of the tongue, and there is a great smarting and burning sensation on the tongue and cheeks. These conditions are very helpful when all food tastes bitter and there is dryness of the mouth, lips, and tongue.
KALI BICHROME :Highly recommended medication for dry mouth with sticky/stringy saliva and a bitter or salty taste in the mouth. Given when dry mouth improves with drinking cold water.
BELLADONA :Effective for treating cases of excessive throat dryness that can make it difficult to swallow, as well as cases of dry mouth, inner cheeks, fauces, and throat.
PULSATILLA :Given when the tongue and pharynx are dry along with the mouth and is helpful for dry mouth that is accompanied by bad or putrid breath that is typically noticed in the morning.
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