Dry Mouth: why is it happening and what can you do?
There are many parts of our body and its vast array of interconnected functions that we often take for granted. We don’t often stop to consider how incredible it is that our heart beats, that our lungs pump, that our system digests, and that our glands produce saliva. Each of these functions is necessary for us to live and live comfortably.
Saliva is one of those unsung heroes of the body. Oftentimes, we really only notice that it’s there when there’s a lack of it. For example, when we experience dry mouth. And that’s what we’re going to focus on today, answering the pressing questions:
- What is the function of saliva for our oral and overall health?
- What is dry mouth?
- Why is it happening?
- And what to do about it.
What is saliva and why do we need it?
Secreted from the salivary glands located in the mouth — inside the cheeks at the bottom of the mouth and at the top near the front teeth — saliva is a clear liquid made mostly of water and containing proteins, minerals, and enzymes. Salivary glands secrete an average of two to four pints of saliva a day!
Saliva is important for our general health and wellbeing for several reasons. It allows us to eat comfortably by moistening food and allowing our tongues to tastes what we put in our mouths. It also helps digest what we eat so that our bodies can absorb the nutrients from it.
For oral health, saliva helps keep teeth and gums clean by clearing away food particles, and prevents tooth decay by neutralizing acids produced by bacteria, limiting bacterial growth. It also washes away food particles and helps prevent xerostomia or dry mouth. Dry mouth can have a sort of domino effect of health issues, including swelling, physical discomfort, and bad breath.
What is dry mouth and why is it happening?
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands are not producing enough liquid to keep your tongue and mouth wet. It can be caused by several reasons:
- Medication — one of the most common side effects from prescription and over the counter medications is dry mouth. Everything from pain medication to anxiety to antihistamine pills can cause dry mouth.
- Getting older — many people will experience dry mouth as they age, especially if they are on an increasing number of medications, are consuming inadequate nutrition, or are having chronic health issues.
- Health conditions — there are several health problems that might result in dry mouth, including diabetes, stroke, yeast infection (thrush) in your mouth, Alzheimer’s disease, or autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome or HIV/AIDS.
- Cancer therapy — chemotherapy procedures and drugs can change the composition of saliva and the amount produced, and radiation treatments can damage salivary glands, causing a decrease in saliva production.
- Snoring and breathing with your mouth open — these might also be the result of deeper health concerns, such as respiratory issues.
- Alcohol, smoking, and chewing tobacco use — these patterns can have health effects including dry mouth and other respiratory concerns.
- Recreational drug use — marijuana is known to create dry mouth, as does methamphetamine use, as well as damage to teeth.
What to do if you are experiencing dry mouth?
Dry mouth is a condition that will often correct with changes to diet and lifestyle.
Of course, some medications are required for health so ceasing them is not an option. But staying hydrated and eating a well balanced diet that contains more whole, raw plants will help balance hormones. Eating raw, fibrous foods like celery, apples, and carrots can help increase saliva flow as well. Why? These foods require more chewing and so will help release the liquid from the glands.
Acidic and spicy foods can also increase saliva flow, but don’t forget to brush after eating so that they don’t damage the teeth by eroding the protective layer of enamel.
It’s also important to stay hydrated, and to start the day off with a big glass of room temperature water. Reducing drug, alcohol, and tobacco will help the body stay balanced and functioning optimally, and keeping a healthy weight will also help other functions like sleep and digestion, all of which are linked to oral health and saliva production.
In conclusion, our bodies are incredible and giving it the best chance to perform means caring for all parts of it. If you are looking to improve your oral health and searching for a South Surrey dentist or a dentist in White Rock, don’t hesitate to reach out!
