What is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia is the medical term for dry mouth. Although xerostomia is not itself a disease, it is associated with a variety of medical conditions, from cancer treatment to drug abuse, and it is a cause for concern if it is chronic. Many people experience dry mouth at some point in their lives, but an extended period of xerostomia can lead to serious oral problems. There are a number of treatments which can be used to address xerostomia, including treatments for the cause of the problem. Some common causes of xerostomia include drug abuse, certain prescription medications, cancer treatment, undiagnosed diabetes, dehydration, and several diseases and syndromes. Older people sometimes experience dry mouth as well. As the mouth dries out, it becomes vulnerable to infection. This is because saliva helps the mouth defend itself against harmful bacteria, and lubrication keeps the mucus membranes healthy. A patient’s risk of cavities and oral infections can go up dramatically with xerostomia, s
Xerostomia is a condition that is suffered by millions of people around the world and is clinically defined as a dry mouth, or “cotton mouth”, due to a lack of saliva. Anyone who has ever gone on a drinking binge is familiar with the feeling; the complete and total absence of liquid in the mouth that makes talking all but impossible. If you are unfamiliar with the feeling of dry mouth take a moment to breathe through your mouth, leaving it open in between breaths. All of the saliva present on the inside of your mouth will dry up, and you will be given a taste of the dry, burning feeling that people with xerostomia must live with on a daily basis. Unfortunately, for people suffering from this condition it is not so simple as grabbing a glass of water or closing their mouth. The symptoms are caused by a lack of saliva in the mouth, and until they can encourage the salivary glands to begin operating normally again they are forced to live with it. Xerostomia is not considered to be a condi
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is sometimes referred to as hyposalivation (hypo = less, salivation = secretion of saliva). If left untreated, rampant dental caries will start as soon as three months after the onset of xerostomia. Factors that will influence or cause xerostomia Biological ageing With ageing, the probability of experiencing dental problems increases. It is seldom the act of growing older itself, however, that is responsible for dental problems such as xerostomia. Rather, it the factors related to ageing, such as the consequence of diseases that the elderly are more likely to have, or the consequence of medications taken for these diseases, that are the culprits. Certain diseases and conditions • Rheumatoid conditions, e.g. Sjogren’s Syndrome • Dysfunction of the immune system, e.g. HIV/AIDS • Hormonal disorders, e.g. Diabetes Mellitus • Neurological disorders, e.g. Parkinson’s disease • Prolonged illnesses, e.g. Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis • Anaemia • Stress Removal or tumours of
Xerostomia, also called dry mouth, results from the inhibition of production of saliva by cells in the salivary glands. Certain chemotherapy drugs have this side effect. Normal levels of saliva have powerful action against the growth of bacteria and viruses in the mouth and throat. When the amount of saliva in the mouth decreases due to xerostomia, bacteria in the mouth and throat can multiply. A possible consequence of high levels of bacteria in the mouth is tooth decay. For information on preventing and treating xerostomia, see our Q&A called, “Is there anything that I can do to prevent and treat xerostomia from chemotherapy?
