NavigationDry Mouth Syndrome
Dry Mouth
(Xerostomia)
Dry mouth; also called Xerostomia, is a persistent feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth; which makes talking and eating difficult. Saliva lubricates and protects your mouth from infection, from chemicals in the atmosphere and from hot foods and drinks. Reduced saliva flow; which causes dry mouth, can damage your gums, can cause tooth decay and contribute to bad breath.
Suggestions to ease dry mouth;
- Biotene products
- Can try Oramoist disc or Salese disc – disc sticks in the roof of your mouth for up to 2 hrs.
- Oramoist can be purchased at Target, or they will order for you. ($7 for pack of 27.)
- Can try MedActive Oral Relief lozenges (Super Mix, 60 lozenges in a pack)
- XyliMelts lozenges can be purchased at Rite Aid ( or Mail order 877-672-6541)
- Xerostom Dry Mouth Substitute Gel
- MighTeaFlow gum & lozenges
- Closys oral rinse & toothpaste
- Sugar-free gum
- Sugar-free mints
- If a cough; then sugar-free cough drops
- Drink plenty of fluids; non-sugar drinks
- Prevident toothpaste once daily; fluoride supplement is used to prevent tooth decay
- Magic Mouth rinse as needed (helps if ulcers appear)
- Lidex Gel if painful ulcers are present.
- Can suck on ice chips as needed
- Sip on water, carry a bottle with you
- Humidify sleeping area (cool mist vaporizer)
- Alph-Lpoic Acid, 600-1800mg daily. Start with 600mg. Best to take on an empty stomach. Also helps with Burning Tongue
Items to Avoid:
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods (apple juice is ok)
- Cinnamon
- Caffeine (decrease if not eliminate)
- Alcoholic Mouth Rinses (Crest ProHealth & Biotene Mouth Rinse are non-alcoholic and is good to use)
- Limit red meat
Causes of Dry Mouth:
- Medications – the Biotene website has a list of these medications
- Cancer Treatment
- Sjogren’s Syndrome – Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation is an excellent source to view etiology and palliative treatment for dry mouth.
- Menopause
- Diabetes
Dry Mouth may cause:
- Accelerated dental decay and erosion of teeth; teeth are mostly affected on the biting surfaces and around the gum line, where there is recession and exposed root structure.
- Periodontal Disease (Gum Disease)
- Infections, Bacterial and Fungal
- Halitosis (Bad Breath)
Prevention
- Prescription strength fluoride toothpaste (Prevident)
- Low sugar diet
- Meticulous oral hygiene
- Brushing teeth and tongue 3 to 4 times daily (Soft or Ultra-soft brush)
- Flossing once or twice daily
- Electric toothbrushes (Sonicare or Oral-B Braum)
- Fluoride varnish to used in the dental office at checkups
- Rinse your mouth with water if you cannot brush after eating a snack or meal
- Sip on water thru out the day and even at night when you wake up
- Do not smoke or use chewing tobacco (Chewing tobacco contains sugar)
- Remove your dentures or partial at night; this decreases your chance of fungal infections
Websites to visit
- Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundations
- Xylitol Products
- Biotene Products
- Oral Moist products (Free samples 800.448.1448)
- Medactive
Medications can be prescribed for dry mouth to increase your salivary flow
- Cevimeline (Evoxac) 30 mg; three times per day
- Pilocarpine (Salagen) 5 mg; four times per day
(You can talk to your Medical Doctor about either one of these prescriptions)
Dry Mouth has been associated with an increase in Fungal Mouth infections (Yeast infections)
Medications for Yeast Infections:
- Clotrimazole 10 mg troches five times per day for 10 days
- Mycolog II for the corners of the mouth
- Fluconazol 200 mg the first day then 100 mg per day for 10 days
- Yogurt is good to eat when there is a yeast infection in your mouth
- Mycelex lozengesAngularCheilitis (corners of lips)
- Lotrin cream (OTC)
- Polysporin for 1 week only