Dry Mouth Syndrome is sometimes referred to as Sicca Syndrome, which is often related to Fibromyalgia. The clinical name for dry mouth is Xerostomia (pronounced ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah). Sicca Syndrome may, or may not, be related to Sjogren's Disease (an autoimmune disorder). Sjogren's (pronounced SHOW-grens) also often exhibits other dryness issues, such as with the eyes, nose, intestines (causing constipation) and vagina (causing irritation). It is also related to ear fullness, hearing loss and ear noise. I mention Sjogren's because Sicca Syndrome usually is found in combination with other autoimmune disorders, with Sjogren's being the most common. However, you can have dry mouth for other reasons as well.
The cause of Xerostomia is the underproduction of saliva from the salivary glands. This condition is most often a 'total body' condition and not a 'mouth' condition, meaning there is something else going on in your body (or mind) or you are putting something in your mouth that doesn't work for you.
Symptoms of Dry Mouth
Symptoms 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 spicy, acidic and salty foods, trouble swallowing, areas of soreness when using dentures or partials, significant increase in cavities or dental carries (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 to 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. This is the constant effect of salivary glands not functioning properly.
Causes of Dry Mouth
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 types of drugs leading to this condition are high blood pressure medications, antidepressants, allergy medications, weight loss and pain prescriptions and OTC drugs. There are other products that cause dry mouth as well.
Eating or drinking foods that are too hot or cold.
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Diabetes and High Blood Pressure.
Nerve damage to head and/or neck that regulates saliva output.
Depression, anxiety and nervousness cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva.
Chewing less than you used to. If for any reason you are not chewing 'tough' foods anymore (like celery, meat, raw carrots, nuts) then the salivary glands decrease in size, producing less lubrication. As we age, we may tend to lean towards eating foods that are gentler on our teeth. This can cause less saliva production, although not so much that it should be a noticeable problem.
Certain autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's (see below), Hodgkin's, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's can be the cause of dry mouth and eyes (and other dry areas of the body). Fibromyalgia is also a cause of dry mouth, eyes and other dryness problems (nose, breathing airways, intestines, and vagina).
Sjogren's Syndrome often appears at the same time as menopause and is characterized by dry mouth, dry eyes and. sometimes. Burning mouth. Dry mouth 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. Sjogren's patients blood tests may reveal antibodies that are directed against normal cellular substances (the body attacks its own cells). For this reason, Sjogren's Syndrome is considered an autoimmune disorder. FS and Sjogren's often have many of the same symptoms. There are no blood tests for Fibromyalgia, while, as already stated, there are for Sjogren's.
Symptoms of Sjogren's Sydrome:
Light-sensitive eyes.
Dry skin and dry, irritated nose.
Yeast infection in the mouth and/or on tongue.
Hoarseness while speaking and/or dry, nagging cough.
Vaginal dryness causing painful intercourse, or pain in general.
Dulled hearing and ear fullness. This happens when the immune system attacks the ears (AIED).
Damage and/or inflammation to lungs (causes breathlessness), kidney and liver.
Raynaud's phenomenon (increased sensitivity to cold causing white fingers).
Inflammation of the muscles in the shoulder/neck and pelvic areas.
Joint pain and stiffness, often in hands and feet.
Nerve and muscle pain and ache, especially on use.
Constipation caused by internal dryness.
If you have many of these symptoms and fear you may have an auto-immune disorder, it is better to know than to worry. See your doctor. There are tests that can be run to make sure there is not an underlying condition for your dryness.
Fibromyalgia may also cause all of these very same symptoms, with the exception of inflammation.
Spiritual/Psychological Causes for Dry Mouth: Feeling as if some area of your life has dried up.
Associated Chakra(s): 4th Chakra
Associated Energy Meridian(s): Heart Meridian
All-Natural Therapies for Dry Mouth
Not quite a natural remedy, but one that is quite safe, is Optimoist by Colgate. It is a solution that is kind of like natural tears for eyes, except it is natural saliva solution product. Personally, it did not work well for me. I think it is better to find the cause and deal with that.
Switch to decaf beverages. Caffeine dries out the mouth. It is found is sodas, tea, coffee, chocolate and some drugs, such as Excedrin. Caffeine is also a diuretic and causes dehydration, another cause of dry mouth. It is also a stimulant, which reduces the supply of Serotonin in the brain, leading to stress, which is another cause of dry mouth.
Chinese Green Tea (decaf), chamomile and ginger teas are helpful.
Chew tough foods. Try to avoid always eating soft foods. If you can't chew, see your dentist to take care of your teeth, or replace them, so that you can.
Suck on something tart or sour. Try sucking on Vitamin C chewable vitamins, or lemons or limes. Do not suck on candies, sugarless (unless made with natural sweetener) or otherwise. They create dental and blood sugar problems.
Chew sugarless gum. Eclipse, Extra and Orbit have been certified by the American Dental Association. Still, you might want to any check side effects reported.
Make sure you are eating whole food carbohydrates (fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, rather than cookies, muffins and pre-packaged foods).
Brush your teeth, and your tongue, more often. Make sure you floss daily.
Dehydration may be the culprit. Don’t allow yourself to become dehydrated. Although saliva is not just water, but a lubricant, sipping water while eating can help.
Check your diet to make sure you are not ingesting too many oxylates and salicylates. They are plant toxins, occurring naturally in foods, and are in some products. A side effect of too many oxylates or salicylates (salicylates are also found in many products that sensitive people use) is dry mouth and tongue. Avoid mint and mint products.
Visit the TCL Tinnitus/Meniere's web page for more information if you have Dry Mouth and loss of hearing.
Visit the TCL Burning Mouth web page if you also have symptoms of burning or stinging in your mouth.
Dehydration may be the culprit. Make sure you are fully hydrated, with 6-8 cups of pure water per day.
Allergies to foods, chemicals and additives may also cause symptoms of dryness.
Eat and drink warm food and beverages, rather than very hot or very cold. For example, let your tea cool off a bit and avoid eating frozen foods.
Avoid eating really salty foods, such as pretzels or potato chips. Salt often causes the sensation of burning in the mouth that can last for a few days after the food is eaten. This is especially true for anyone suffering from dry mouth.
