Oral Health Tip: Know the 5 Causes Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

Oral Health Tip: Know the 5 Causes Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)


Xerostomia, or better known as dry mouth, not a disease.
Xerostomia is a symptom of various diseases or other health conditions.
This condition causes the production of saliva is reduced or even nonexistent.
Saliva serves to moisten the mouth, helping to swallow, and taste food. Saliva also helps prevent the formation of dental plaque caused by food.
In addition, saliva also help neutralize mouth acids that harm tooth enamel.
Xerostomia may occur for several reasons.
Here are the 5 most common causes of which often cause xerostomia:
 
1. Drug Side Effects
The drugs are the most common cause of xerostomia. Hundreds of medications can cause dry mouth.
Including the painkillers, drugs for depression, flu medicine, muscle spasm drugs, and drug allergies.
Elderly people often take many drugs, including drugs that may cause dry mouth. Therefore, many of those who experience dry mouth conditions.

2. Complications of Infectious Diseases and
Some diseases associated with dry mouth. Among them are diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, and HIV infection.
Xerostomia also occurs in Sjogren's syndrome. In this condition, the body's antibodies attack the salivary glands and tear glands.
Some viral infections, such as mumps, also affect saliva production and cause xerostomia.
 
3. Dehydration
Any condition that causes loss of body fluids can also cause xerostomia.
These conditions include fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, or loss of water through the skin due to burns.
 
4. Radiation Therapy
Xerostomia is a common side effect due to radiation therapy to treat cancer in the head and neck.
 
5. Salivary gland removal surgery
If there is a large swelling in the salivary gland, surgical removal of the gland may be done. If the salivary glands diangakat, then of course will cease production of saliva.