Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

What is Dry Mouth?

Dry mouth (xerostomia) happens when the salivary glands do not make enough saliva (spit) to keep the mouth moist. Because saliva is essential for chewing, swallowing, tasting, and talking, these actions may be more difficult with a mouth does not have enough saliva.

What Causes a Mouth to become excessively dry?

While xerostomia is not a disease in and of itself, we at Seattle Dentist Eastside Bellevue Dentist suggest it can be a result of several situations. Sometimes it is simply a result of morning breath, which results from sleeping with your mouth open. For elderly people, it can also just be a function of the aging process. However, there are several other conditions that can cause it. Some of those conditions are listed as follows:

• Medications: over 400 commonly used drugs can cause the sensation of dry mouth. The main culprits are the antihypertensives and antidepressants
• Cancer treatment: radiation therapy can permanently damage salivary glands if they are in the field of radiation. Chemotherapy can change the composition of saliva, creating the sensation of a lack of saliva
• Diseases: Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder whose symptoms include a shortage of saliva, dry eyes and arthritis
• Other conditions: bone marrow transplants, endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, anxiety, mental stress, and depression can cause a mouth to become dry.
• Changes not related to salivary glands include nerve damage (injury to the head and neck area from surgery or wounds that can damage the nerves that supply sensation to the mouth), and altered perception (conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or stroke may change the ability to perceive oral sensations).

Problems Associated with Dry Mouth

In addition to difficulty with eating and talking, xerostomia can cause dental problems. Saliva helps maintain a balance of bacteria in the mouth and helps protect against infections and cavities (dental decay). Without enough saliva, the bacteria in the mouth can grow too quickly, causing infections and mouth sores. Saliva also washes away acids and food particles left in the mouth after eating. Therefore, a lack of saliva can cause cavities and gum disease.

Contact Us

We Seattle Dentist Eastside Bellevue Dentist are specialists in treating xerostomia. If you are experiencing discomfort because of dry mouth, please contact our office at (425) 454-2005 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Soltero. We look forward to meeting with you.