Dry Mouth Syndrome by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Lack of saliva is a common problem that can affect enjoyment of food and the health of teeth
Dry mouth Cause
There are several causes to a dry mouth, including aging, diseases such as
rheumatoid conditions (example: Sjogren's Syndrome), hormonal disorders such as
diabetes, neurologic disorders such as Parkinson's disease, and surgical removal
of salivary glands.
Dry mouth is also associated with dehydration, radiation therapy of
the salivary gland regions, anxiety, the use of drugs (such as atropine and
antihistamines), vitamin deficiency, various forms of parotitis, or various
syndromes (such as Plummer-Vinson syndrome).
Dry Mouth Symptom
Common symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth;
frequent thirst; sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the
mouth; cracked lips; and a dry feeling in the throat.
Dry Mouth Treatment
Dry mouth treatment depends on the cause of the problem. If the dry mouth is
caused by a medicine, your physician might change your medicine or adjust the
dosage. If your salivary glands are not working right but can still produce some
saliva, your physician or dentist might give you a medicine that helps the
glands work better or you may use artificial saliva to keep your mouth wet.
Dry Mouth Treatment emails
Q. My mother is a senior citizen and she has had problems
for several years with her mouth not producing enough saliva. She has to
frequently keep a bottle of water nearby to keep her mouth moist. Is there any
natural herbs that she can take to help relieve her dry mouth? Thanks.
A. We have not seen any studies with diet and supplements
regarding dry mouth, but we keep our eyes open if we come across such
information.
Q. I have had a dry mouth condition for about 2 months
due to oral thrush. My condition has improved slightly after 3 bottles of
Nystatin and a dental oral wash but symptoms persist. Would Oil of Oregano in
capsule form help eliminate this issue or is the liquid version better?
A. We have not seen any studies
with oregano oil regarding dry mouth.