Treatment of Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Dry mouth or xerostomia may be caused by many factors. Everybody should learn what cause xerostomia, its implications and how the condition can be treated. The following section will highlight the main points.

CAUSES OF XEROSTOMIA:

1. Like any other part of the body, salivary glands tend to degenerate with age and result in less amount of saliva.
2. Diabetes Mellitus can result in destruction of small glands, which can include sweat glands, sebaceous glands, as well as small salivary glands. Uncontrolled Diabetes can affect major (Parotid, Submandibular and Sublingual) salivary glands as well.
3. Many autoimmune diseases (e.g., Sjogren's Syndrome) also result in the destruction of salivary gland tissue.
4. Radiation therapy in the head and neck region for cancer treatment can result in severe cases of xerostomia.
5. Most of the anti-hypertensive medications cause xerostomia.
6. Lack of salivary flow can also result if the salivary gland ducts get occluded due to stone formation or inflammation. This condition, of course, will be accompanied by severe pain and discomfort. The onset can be acute. This kind of situation usually causes pain only when the person eats something. The salivary glands get stimulated, saliva is discharged but cannot get drained. As a result, the pressure builds up and the pain ensues.

IMPLICATIONS: