Cotton Mouth (Xerostomia)
Cotton Mouth (Xerostomia)
Dry
mouth, defined as xerostomia, occurs when the salivary glands fail to produce
sufficient saliva. Saliva plays a crucial role in moistening food, initiating
digestion, and maintaining oral health. Xerostomia may lead to halitosis, a
sensation of dryness in the throat, and cracked lips.
There
are many causes of dry mouth. The most common cause is medication-related side effects
(antihypertensives, antihistamines, decongestants, medications used in
Parkinson’s disease, antidepressants, etc.). Other causes include radiotherapy,
Sjögren’s syndrome, chemotherapy, excessive caffeine and alcohol consumption,
diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, salivary gland inflammation, and mouth
breathing. Dry mouth is more common in elderly individuals due to increased
medication use and associated side effects.
Reduced
salivary flow may result in burning sensations of the tongue, difficulty consuming
dry foods, speech impairment, frequent vomiting, difficulty using dentures, lip
dryness, taste alterations, and halitosis.
Saliva’s
cleansing effect helps keep teeth clean and prevents caries. In individuals
with xerostomia, inadequate clearance of plaque and food debris increases the
risk of periodontal disease and dental caries.
How Can Dry Mouth Be Managed?
The primary goal of xerostomia management is
to relieve the patient’s symptoms. Treatment strategies include:
Stimulating salivary flow,
Providing artificial saliva substitutes when necessary,
Controlling dental problems.
If the underlying cause of dry mouth can be
identified, eliminating this factor may resolve the condition. When xerostomia
is medication-induced, the physician may adjust the treatment plan by
prescribing alternative medications with fewer xerostomic effects.
Additional recommendations include:
Frequent water intake,
Chewing sugar-free gum,
Reducing or eliminating smoking and alcohol consumption,
Using artificial saliva tablets when necessary.
Regular use of mouthwashes and toothpastes
that promote salivary flow is also an important preventive measure. If dry
mouth cannot be controlled with home-based methods, consultation with a
healthcare professional is essential.
