Dry mouth syndrome is that feeling of discomfort that a person gets as a result from a low production of saliva. The condition is also known by the name of xerostomia. The condition can either be chronic or temporary.

The condition is one that most people know next to nothing about. Having a dry mouth is not a condition that is at the top of people’s list of health conditions that they have to worry about. Thankfully, learning more about the causes, consequences and treatments for dry mouth syndrome will not be too difficult. Here is more information about dry mouth syndrome.

The Cause of Dry Mouth Syndrome:

There are several causes for dry mouth syndrome. All of these causes can be placed into one of three categories, which are:

– Medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Sjogren’s Syndrome and etc.)

– Emotional stress and anxiety

– Medications (over the counter or prescription)

Medication is perhaps the most common cause of developing dry mouth syndrome. Over-the-counter medication such as decongestants, antidepressants and antihistamines, as well as over 400 prescription drugs can cause dry mouth syndrome. The condition is a side effect of using these drugs. It really depends on a person’s body, but dry mouth syndrome as a side effect is not by any means unheard of.

Some cancer therapies such as radiation treatments and chemotherapy that target the neck or head region, or the salivary glands, can have a detrimental effect on saliva production.

How to Sidestep Dry Mouth Syndrome:

One of the best ways to avoid dry mouth syndrome is for a person to tell their dentist about the medications they are taking. The dentist is a professional who is in the best position to tell if the medication can cause dry mouth syndrome or not, as well as recommend some form of treatment. Aside from treatment, they can also recommend medication that might serve as an alternative to the one that causes dry mouth syndrome.

People should also give their dentists a thorough background of their medical history. There is a large variety of conditions that can cause dry mouth syndrome. Inform the dentist of the different health conditions so he can identify which conditions might be the cause of dry mouth syndrome.

Treatments to Dry Mouth Syndrome:

There are a large number of ways to treat dry mouth syndrome. The first step is to let the dentist check the mouth, and give him the information he needs so he can identify the root cause of the problem.

Depending on the severity and cause of the problem, the dentist can recommend mild treatments, or point a person to a specialist, such as a periodontist. If it is mild, the dentist can simply recommend mild forms of treatments such as sugar-free candy, special oral rinses, an increase in fluid intake and etc.