There are many causes of dry mouth.Few importat causes are listed here.
- Side effect of many drugs, including drugs used to treat anxiety, depression, allergies,acn, hypertension, asthma, urinary incontinence, epilepsy, parkinsons diease, obesity and diarrhoa.
- Diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjgren syndrome, diabetes,Cystic fibrosis, arthritis and mumps.
- Demage to salivery gland. the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced.
- Surgical removal of the salivary glands
- Nerve damage. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.
- Dehydration. Dehydration due to, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, fever can cause dry mouth.
- Smoking, Chewing tobacco.
Treatment
To find out the cause and treat it is the best. There are some remedies to relieve dry mouth temporarily.
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies.
- Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine can make your mouth drier.
- Don’t use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can be drying.
- Stop all tobacco use if you smoke or chew tobacco.
- Sip water regularly. Saliva substitutes can be tried.
- Avoid using antihistamines and decongestants because they can make your symptoms worse.
- Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
- Add moisture to the air at night with a room humidifier.
- Avoid sugary or acidic foods and candies because they increase the risk of tooth decay.
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste.
If these steps don’t improve your dry mouth, contact your doctor. He will help you by changing your medication or its dosage, or addressing underlying health issues.
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* Dr Chohan’s ENT, Rafay Mall (1st floor), Peshawar Road Rawalpindi. 03315680471 , 03145118532
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