Xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah) is known as dry mouth. It is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep the mouth wet. Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally when nervous or stressed. However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, eating, swallowing and even talking difficult. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay because saliva helps keep harmful germs that cause cavities and other oral infections in check.
Causes
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands that make saliva don’t work properly. Many over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Sjogren’s syndrome, can affect the salivary glands. Other causes of dry mouth include certain cancer treatments and damage to the glands’ nerve system. It’s important to see your dentist or physician to find out why your mouth is dry.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of your dry mouth, your health care provider can recommend appropriate treatment. There are also self-care steps you can take to help ease dry mouth, such as drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Good oral care at home and regular dental check-ups will help keep your mouth healthy.
How Common is Xerostomia?
Chronic dry mouth, or xerostomia, has long been considered a problem of aging. But how common is it? The medical literature contains just one study on the subject, and myriad questions remain about the risk factors, incidence, and natural history of the condition. Now, in the December issue of the journal Gerodontology, NIDCR grantees and colleagues have published a second longitudinal study. It tracked 1,205 dentate adults age 60 and older over several years, with 246 participants being followed for 11 years. The researchers found that the prevalence of xerostomia increased from 21.4 percent to 24.8 percent between the fifth and eleventh year of follow up. However, one quarter of those with xerostomia fluctuated over time in the severity, or status, of their condition. The researchers also carefully tracked the use of medications, a recognized but still nonspecific risk factor for xerostomia. Their use increased throughout the study, with nearly 95 percent taking at least one medication at the study’s 11-year mark. According to the authors, “While only two categories of medication being taken at 11 years were associated with the incidence of xerostomia between 5 and 11 years (antidepressants and daily aspirin), there were stronger associations when only those medications taken since the 5-year assessment were included in the analysis. In this exposure category, xerostomia incidence was greater among those taking diuretics, NSAIDs, antidepressants or daily aspirin.”
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What is xerostomia?
What is xerostomia?
Xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah) is known as dry mouth. It is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep the mouth wet. Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally when nervous or stressed. However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, eating, swallowing and even talking difficult. Dry mouth also increases the risk for tooth decay because saliva helps keep harmful germs that cause cavities and other oral infections in check.
Causes
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands that make saliva don’t work properly. Many over-the-counter and prescription medicines, as well as diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Sjogren’s syndrome, can affect the salivary glands. Other causes of dry mouth include certain cancer treatments and damage to the glands’ nerve system. It’s important to see your dentist or physician to find out why your mouth is dry.
Treatment
Depending on the cause of your dry mouth, your health care provider can recommend appropriate treatment. There are also self-care steps you can take to help ease dry mouth, such as drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum, and avoiding tobacco and alcohol. Good oral care at home and regular dental check-ups will help keep your mouth healthy.
How Common is Xerostomia?
Chronic dry mouth, or xerostomia, has long been considered a problem of aging. But how common is it? The medical literature contains just one study on the subject, and myriad questions remain about the risk factors, incidence, and natural history of the condition. Now, in the December issue of the journal Gerodontology, NIDCR grantees and colleagues have published a second longitudinal study. It tracked 1,205 dentate adults age 60 and older over several years, with 246 participants being followed for 11 years. The researchers found that the prevalence of xerostomia increased from 21.4 percent to 24.8 percent between the fifth and eleventh year of follow up. However, one quarter of those with xerostomia fluctuated over time in the severity, or status, of their condition. The researchers also carefully tracked the use of medications, a recognized but still nonspecific risk factor for xerostomia. Their use increased throughout the study, with nearly 95 percent taking at least one medication at the study’s 11-year mark. According to the authors, “While only two categories of medication being taken at 11 years were associated with the incidence of xerostomia between 5 and 11 years (antidepressants and daily aspirin), there were stronger associations when only those medications taken since the 5-year assessment were included in the analysis. In this exposure category, xerostomia incidence was greater among those taking diuretics, NSAIDs, antidepressants or daily aspirin.”