Why is saliva needed?
During the day, the salivary glands produce a significant amount of saliva, and a person does not notice most of it. It washes teeth and mucous membranes, washes away bacteria, neutralizes acids after eating and returns calcium and phosphates to the enamel, restoring it. In addition, saliva dissolves substances, without which it is impossible to sense taste, and moistens food so that it can be swallowed. Therefore, the lack of saliva affects several directions at once - from tooth decay to speech and nutrition disorders.
- Cleansing teeth and mucous membranes
- Neutralization of acids and protection of enamel
- Antibacterial and antifungal components
- Bolus formation and swallowing
- Taste perception
- Comfort when wearing dentures
Causes of dry mouth
Medications come first - this is the most common and at the same time the most correctable cause, especially in older people taking several medications at the same time. The second is dehydration due to insufficient drinking, heat, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Next come the following diseases: diabetes mellitus, in which dryness is combined with thirst and frequent urination, and Sjögren's syndrome, in which dry eyes appear along with dry mouth. Radiation therapy to the head and neck area can permanently damage the glands. A separate factor is mouth breathing with a stuffy nose and snoring.
- Taking medications: diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications
- Dehydration, not drinking enough, heat
- Diabetes mellitus
- Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases
- Radiation therapy to the head and neck, chemotherapy
- Stones and inflammation of the salivary glands
- Smoking and drinking alcohol
- Mouth breathing, snoring, nasal congestion
- Anxiety and stress
What does this threaten?
Without the protective effect of saliva, caries develops rapidly and in atypical places - at the necks of teeth and on the roots. The gums become inflamed, the mucous membrane becomes vulnerable and easily injured, and candidiasis often occurs with a burning sensation and a white coating. Cracks appear in the corners of the mouth, coating on the tongue and an unpleasant odor. For those who wear removable dentures, dryness makes it difficult to keep them in place, and chafing takes longer to heal. Over time, taste, speech, and the ability to eat dry food without drinking are affected.
- Rapid development of multiple caries
- Inflammation of the gums and mucous membranes
- Oral candidiasis and seizures
- Bad breath
- Difficulty wearing dentures
- Impaired taste, speech and swallowing
Survey
The doctor specifies the full list of medications taken, the duration of complaints, the presence of dry eyes, skin and vagina, assesses the condition of the mucous membrane, the amount of saliva and teeth. Ultrasound of the salivary glands helps identify stones, inflammation and structural changes. Be sure to check your blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, since dry mouth is the first noticeable symptom of diabetes. If there is a combination of dry mouth and dry eyes, the patient is referred to a rheumatologist to rule out Sjögren's syndrome.
- Questioning about medications and related complaints
- Oral examination and salivary assessment
- Ultrasound of the salivary glands
- Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin
- General blood test
- Consultation with a rheumatologist for suspected Sjögren's syndrome
What helps
If the reason is in the medicine, the doctor who prescribed it can choose a replacement or change the time of taking it - you cannot stop taking the medicine yourself. Symptomatically, frequent drinking of water in small sips, humidifiers, chewing sugar-free gum and sucking sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva, as well as pharmaceutical saliva substitutes in the form of gels and sprays, help. Prevention of caries should be enhanced: fluoride-containing paste, fluoride varnish at the dentist, visits more often than usual. It is worth giving up alcohol, smoking, alcohol rinses and large amounts of coffee, which dry out the mucous membranes more.
- Talk to your doctor about changing the medication that is causing your dryness.
- Drink water often and in small portions
- Chewing gum and sugar-free candies
- Saliva substitutes - gels, sprays, alcohol-free rinses
- Fluoride-containing pastes and dental prophylaxis more often than usual
- Quitting smoking, alcohol, limiting coffee
- Humidifying the air in the bedroom
- Treatment of nasal congestion and snoring