Dry mouth: causes, prevention and treatment

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Extract from the article: Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a phenomenon of dehydration of the oral cavity. It is explained by an absence or reduction in the secretion of saliva.

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Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a phenomenon of dehydration of the oral cavity. It is explained by an absence or reduction in the secretion of saliva.

Ablavi, 32 years old, living in the Adidogomé district of Lomé, mother of 2 children, is a food seller. She has suffered from xerostomia throughout her life. She often feels pain in her mouth when she eats. "In 2018, I often had the sensation of a dry mouth in my throat. I couldn't swallow saliva or sleep at night. It was very painful. Sometimes my saliva became constantly gelatinous. I had to stop working. So I spoke to a GP who referred me to a specialist, where I was very well looked after,' she said.

This discomfort may seem harmless, but it is very common. It causes complications that can be serious, such as loss of thirst, chewing problems and nutritional deficiencies.

Causes

The causes of dry mouth can be multiple. They can be consecutive to a treatment or not. One can observe a lack of water intake, a more or less important destruction of the salivary glands or a disturbance in their functioning, the taking of certain medicines for example antihistamines, anxiolytics, antidepressants and neuroleptics, diuretics, certain analgesics. Causes may also be related to chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, thyroid problems, Alzheimer's disease, stress, pregnancy, smoking, radiotherapy to the head or neck, surgical removal of one or more salivary glands.

Associated symptoms

Xerostomia is a symptom. It is a sensation of dry mouth. It is accompanied by intense thirst, difficulty in chewing and swallowing and difficulty in speaking. In some cases, it leads to difficulties in perceiving flavours, an impaired sense of smell, and the formation of painful cracks in the mouth or at the corners of the lips.

The reduced production of saliva makes it more susceptible to the development of bacteria or fungi. This can lead to cavities or gingivitis. Finally, bad breath can make the discomfort worse.

Treatment

Good hydration, oral hygiene and smoking cessation are important.  If a pathology is identified, treatment, if available, is required. As soon as the above-mentioned symptoms appear, a health professional should be consulted.

Preventing dry mouth

To prevent dry mouth, in cases where the cause is not congenital, good hydration, impeccable oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups are necessary. Care should be taken to stop smoking and reduce chewing gum consumption.  Juices and sweet or acidic liquids, which promote tooth decay, are not recommended.

Raymond DZAKPATA

Article validated by Dr Jean-Claude Bakpatina, General Practitioner-Lomé