Dry Mouth Syndrome

The clinical name for Dry Mouth Syndrome is Xerostomia (pronounced ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah). Sicca Syndrome may or may not be related to Sjögren's Disease (an autoimmune disorder). It is often associated with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

 

Sjögren's Disease (pronounced SHOW-grens) also often exhibits other dryness issues, such as those affecting the eyes, nose, intestines (causing constipation), and vagina (causing irritation). It's also associated with ear fullness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears. I mention Sjögren's Disease because Sicca Syndrome is usually found in combination with other autoimmune disorders, with Sjögren's Disease being the most common. However, you can also experience a dry mouth for different reasons.

 

The cause of Xerostomia is the underproduction of saliva from the salivary glands. This condition is often a "total body" condition, rather than a singular "mouth" condition. Meaning, there is something else going on inside your body (or mind), or you are putting something in your mouth that doesn't work for you.

 

 

Symptoms of Dry Mouth Syndrome

 

Symptoms of Dry Mouth Syndrome may include dry mouth and tongue, a sensation that your tongue or other parts of the mouth are burning, mouth sores, metallic taste, reduced ability to taste certain foods, sensitivity to certain foods, trouble swallowing, areas of soreness when using dentures or partials, a significant increase in cavities or dental caries (tiny dips in teeth at the gum line), and difficulty in talking (as if your tongue gets caught on the inside of your cheek). You may also notice your tongue looks a different color than it used to.

 

The natural job of saliva is to begin digestion, protect teeth from decay and the mouth from infection by washing away sugars and food particles, and facilitate chewing and swallowing. It is hard to chew and swallow when there is not enough moisture. Imagine eating a mouthful of dry crackers with nothing to wash it down, which is the constant effect of salivary glands not functioning correctly.

 

 

Possible Causes of Dry Mouth Syndrome

 

  • The most common cause is prescription and over-the-counter drugs. There are over 1800 drugs that can cause dry mouth and eyes. The most common medicines leading to this condition are high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, allergy medications, weight loss pills, pain prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications.
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Eating or drinking foods that are too hot or too cold.
  • Drinking beverages containing caffeine, which are acidic and dehydrating
  • Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy
  • Sugar Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Nerve damage to the head or neck that regulates saliva output
  • Depression, anxiety, and nervousness can cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva.
  • Chewing less than you used to. If, for any reason, you are no longer eating tough foods (such as celery, meat, raw carrots, or nuts), then the salivary glands decrease in size, producing less lubrication. As you age, you may tend to lean towards eating gentler foods, which can cause less saliva production, although not so much that it should be a noticeable problem.

 

Spiritual/Psychological Causes for Dry Mouth Syndrome: Feeling like some area of your life has dried up.

 

 

Dry Mouth Syndrome & Autoimmune Diseases 

 

Certain autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren's, Hodgkin's, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's, can cause dry mouth and eyes (and other dry areas of the body). Sjögren's Disease often appears simultaneously as menopause and is characterized by dry mouth, dry eyes, and, at times, Burning Mouth Syndrome. Sjögren's Disease patients' blood tests may reveal antibodies directed against healthy cellular substances (the body attacks its cells). For this reason, Sjögren's Disease is considered an autoimmune disorder. Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) and Sjögren's Disease often have many of the same symptoms. FS is also a cause of dry mouth, eyes, and other dryness issues (such as the nose, airways, intestines, and vagina). There are no blood tests for FS, whereas there are already blood tests to diagnose Sjögren's Disease. 

 

 

Symptoms of Sjögren's Disease 

 

  • Light-sensitive eyes.
  • Dry skin and a dry, irritated nose
  • Yeast infection in the mouth or on the tongue
  • Hoarseness while speaking and a dry, nagging cough
  • Vaginal dryness causing painful intercourse or vaginal pain in general
  • Dulled hearing and ear fullness, which happens when the immune system attacks the ears (AIED)
  • Damage and inflammation to the lungs (causes breathlessness), kidneys, and liver.
  • Raynaud's phenomenon (increased sensitivity to cold, which causes the fingers to turn white, as in "no blood flow" white)
  • Inflammation of the muscles in the shoulder(s), neck, and pelvic areas
  • Joint pain and stiffness, often in the hands and feet
  • Nerve and muscle pain and ache, especially on use
  • Constipation is caused by internal dryness.
  • Dry Mouth Syndrome often causes deterioration of the teeth and trouble swallowing. There may also be inflammation of the joints, kidneys, thyroid, nerves, or other areas of the body. Women may experience severe fatigue and sleep disruption.

 

If you have many of these symptoms and fear you may have an autoimmune disorder, it is better to know than worry. See your doctor. Tests can be run to determine if there is an underlying condition causing your Dry Mouth Syndrome.

 

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) may also cause all of these very same symptoms, except for inflammation. There is no inflammation associated with FS. Hypersensitive nerves are the issue.

Holistic Alternatives for Dry Mouth Syndrome

  • Toothpaste and mouthwash, by design, are created to destroy harmful bacteria in your mouth's microbiome. However, they also kill good bacteria. The chemicals and antibiotics in these products can cause Dry Mouth Syndrome and gut issues (digestion begins in the mouth by certain bacteria). A not-quite-so-natural remedy is Salivea, a toothpaste, which is more of a band-aid than a solution, a temporary fix until you find a solution to the cause. However, Salivea does contain fluoride, a known toxin. You can create toothpaste by combining coconut oil, baking soda, and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. You can add a couple of drops of clove (also pain-relieving) essential oil to the mix for a pleasant taste. I don't suggest mint because it can be drying.

 

  • Avoid mint and mint products whenever possible.

 

  • You can try chewing sugarless gum. Eclipse, Extra, and Orbit have been certified by the American Dental Association. However, I'm not a fan of sugarless gum due to its ingredients. You may want to research any potential side effects reported for the sugarless gum you are considering using.

 

  • Brush your teeth and your tongue often. Floss your teeth daily.

 

  • Dehydration may be the culprit behind Dry Mouth Syndrome. Avoid becoming dehydrated. Saliva is not just water but a lubricant. However, sipping water (not gulping) while eating can help wash your food down. Dry Mouth Syndrome can make you feel as if you will choke or cause pain in the diaphragm when you try to gulp food down before drinking something, especially first thing in the morning. It just may not go down as expected. A dry mouth often represents a dry esophagus. Drinking a few sips of liquid before breakfast can help your food flow downward as planned. Also, drink 4-8 cups of water daily. 

 

  • Check your diet to ensure you are not consuming too many oxalates and salicylates. These are plant toxins that occur naturally in certain foods and are also found in some products. A side effect of too many oxalates or salicylates is Dry Mouth Syndrome. I have provided a list of foods and substances that contain oxalates and salicylates here.

 

  • Allergies to foods, chemicals, and additives may also cause symptoms of Dry Mouth Syndrome.

 

  • Switch to decaf beverages. Caffeine dries out the mouth. It is found in sodas, tea, coffee, chocolate, and some drugs, such as Excedrin. Caffeine is also a diuretic and causes dehydration, another cause of Dry Mouth Syndrome. It is also a stimulant, which reduces the supply of serotonin in the brain, leading to stress, which is another cause of Dry Mouth Syndrome.

 

  • Suck on something tart or sour. Try sucking on vitamin C chewable vitamins (sucking, not chewing), or lemons or limes, which stimulate saliva production. Do not suck on candies, sugarless or otherwise, unless made with a natural sweetener. They create dental and blood sugar problems.

 

  • Vitamin B deficiencies, particularly B6 and B12, can cause nerves to become overly sensitive. A 50 mg B-Complex supplement may help you. If you have not noticed a difference within three months, then B deficiency is not the issue.

 

  • Ensure you are eating whole food carbohydrates (fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, rather than cookies, muffins, and pre-packaged foods). Some of the fake fats and trans fats in prepared products and fast foods can cause Dry Mouth Syndrome.

 

  • If you have Dry Mouth Syndrome, you may also experience dry eyes. Avoid reading in darkly lit areas and staring at pages of a book or a screen for too long. Look up every 15 minutes or so and remember to blink.