Strong dryness in the mouth. What makes your mouth dry? Why does it “dry” during pregnancy?

Many diseases are accompanied by discomfort in the oral cavity, as well as dysfunction of the salivary glands.

Dry mouth, or scientifically known as xerostomia, is a common phenomenon that causes significant inconvenience to the patient. Normally, the oral cavity should always be washed with saliva: in the daytime there is abundant secretion, and at night – moderate secretion. If during the day a person feels very thirsty, dry and burning in the mouth, this is a good reason to consult a doctor.

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Dry mouth is the cause of what disease?

A sharp and sudden feeling of dryness in the mouth very often occurs after eating salty, spicy or smoked foods. Usually this phenomenon stops after a few hours, so there is no need to worry about it.

However, if the pathological and uncomfortable phenomenon persists for a long time, and dry mouth is also observed at night, then this is a real cause for concern. It is recommended to consult a specialist, additional examination and treatment, but for now let’s figure out what disease causes dry mouth and the factors that cause this condition.

Possible causes of dry tongue, as well as dryness and unpleasant sensation in the mouth, taking into account the normal functioning of the glands that produce saliva:

• Hyperglycemia

This is a sharp increase in blood glucose levels (considering the norm is 3.5-5.5 m/mol). The most common cause of this condition is type 1 diabetes mellitus and. Also, other endocrine system disorders (acromegaly, thyrotoxicosis, glucagonoma) can also affect the increase in glucose concentration.

With hyperglycemia, nausea, dry mouth, frequent urination, and severe thirst are noted - the patient can drink 5-6 liters of water per day, and with an excessive increase in sugar - up to 10 liters.

During therapy with certain medications (“chemistry” in the treatment of oncology, atropine, a group of psychotropic and diuretic drugs, antibacterial agents), a side effect such as a feeling of dryness and tightness in the oral cavity may occur. This is absolutely normal and after a therapeutic course everything is restored.

If during treatment additional symptoms arise, which, in turn, can also cause a pathological phenomenon (for example, lips, tonsils due to the side effects of the antibiotic), then you should inform your doctor about this.

• Dehydration

The condition occurs during high moisture loss - with fever, profuse vomiting, loose stools, and blood loss. Frequent dry mouth is a “bell” that the body needs to be replenished with fluid.

If we are talking about a mild course of the disease, then the patient needs to be given more liquid: tea, warm water, Regidron solution. In case of severe symptoms, you should go to a hospital for qualified assistance (treatment of the disease itself, including rehydration therapy).

• Pathological changes in the cerebral cortex, deterioration in the conduction of nerve impulses.

This leads to disruption of certain brain structures and peripheral functions responsible for the functioning of the salivary glands and the innervation of nerve endings in the oral cavity.

This item includes pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hemorrhages (major stroke or micro-stroke), .

• Alcohol abuse

Severe thirst after a hangover is explained by severe intoxication.

The fact is that ethyl alcohol (as well as its breakdown products) is perceived by the body as a dangerous substance that needs to be quickly processed and eliminated. To achieve the goal, a very large amount of water is used, so in the morning you will feel dry and very thirsty.

• Smoking

Inhaling smoke from a cigarette dries out the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, making you want to drink or gargle.

• Digestive system diseases

These include pathologies such as gastric and duodenal ulcers, hepatitis, pancreatitis, and esophagitis.

Deviations from the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract have a negative impact on the condition of the oral cavity (and dry mouth). The reasons may lie in a violation of acidity, the digestion process and the production of enzymes.

• Acute clinical syndrome, developing against the background of diseases or damage to the abdominal organs.

This should include pathologies that require urgent hospitalization - appendicitis, cholecystitis, perforated ulcer, intestinal obstruction. In addition to dry mouth, the patient experiences abdominal pain, vomiting, upset stool, and fever.

• Nasal breathing disorder

Problems with free nasal breathing can occur against the background of adenoid growths, polyposis and deviated septum. This leads to dryness of the oral mucosa, since it is this that takes on the function of transporting air.

• Menopause

Every woman over 50 experiences age-related hormonal changes called menopause. This phenomenon causes dryness of all mucous membranes, including the oral cavity.

• Thyrotoxicosis

This condition develops due to hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. An increase in hormones secreted by the endocrine organ leads to disruption of metabolic processes in the body, against the background of which increased fluid excretion occurs.

In addition, xerostomia can occur due to disruption of the glands that produce saliva. These pathologies are much less common than systemic diseases, however, if the humidity in the oral cavity decreases, they should not be excluded.

Diseases, leading to disruption of production saliva until it stops completely, as well as causing pain, swelling and enlargement of the gland:

• Mumps (popularly known as “mumps”) is an infectious disease caused by paramyxovirus;
• Sialadenitis – inflammation leading to the formation of stones in the salivary gland;
• Sialolithiasis is the presence of stones in the ducts of the glands, the disease occurs in a chronic form;
• Sialostasis is a delay in the formation of secretions by the salivary glands;
• Mikulicz's disease is a disorder of lymphatic drainage, leading to a symmetrical enlargement of the salivary glands;
• Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that occurs in women after 40 years of age and affects the salivary and eye glands;
• Benign or malignant neoplasms leading to complete or partial blockage of the gland, as a result of which the separation of its secretion is disrupted.

This also includes injuries to the salivary “apparatus,” as well as its removal or damage.

Xerostomia leads to a change in acidity in the oral cavity, which, in turn, causes a violation of antiseptics. In other words, excellent conditions are created for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Xerostomia also disrupts the nutrition of the epithelial lining of the oral cavity, causing its atrophy.

When should you see a doctor?

A visit to a specialist should not be put off for a long time, as it is important to deal with the factor that caused dry mouth as soon as possible.

What disease can cause dry mouth? As you can see, the list is quite extensive, and for correct diagnosis, you need to tell the doctor in detail about the general state of your health, pointing out all other unfavorable changes.

Dry mouth can occur in the following ways:

• severe thirst, frequent and copious urination, the smell of acetone in the urine;
• dryness in the nasopharynx, soreness;
• pain and sore throat;
• inflammation, roughness and cracks in the corners of the lips;
• deterioration and slurred speech;
• burning and dryness of the tongue, and a gray or white coating on its surface;
• change in food taste;
• unpleasant and putrid odor when exhaling;
• hoarseness and change in voice.

The attending physician (therapist), after listening to the complaints, may recommend additional consultation with specialists such as an otolaryngologist, dentist, surgeon, oncologist, neurologist and endocrinologist.

List of analyzes and studies that, Maybe, you will have to go through:

• general blood and urine analysis;
• urine for ketone bodies;
• blood sugar test;
• study of thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4);
• for vomiting and diarrhea - bacteriological culture of washing water and feces;
• electrocardiogram and encephalogram;
• endoscopic examination of the nasal cavity and oropharynx;
• ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal organs, thyroid gland and salivary glands;
• computed sialotomography;
• saliva analysis for biochemical study;
• sialometry - assessment of the excretory power of the glands that produce saliva;
• probing of ducts to study their patency.

Before the study, it is necessary to clarify the preparation rules with a specialist. For example, a blood test for sugar is taken in the morning strictly on an empty stomach, and before the biochemistry of saliva you cannot drink water or even brush your teeth!

The essence of treatment for xerostomia depends entirely on the diagnosis, as well as on the severity of the pathology. Here is a short table for your general reference.

To achieve a good result, you should adhere to a healthy lifestyle: give up aggressive diets, limit the consumption of spicy, salty and smoked foods, as well as alcoholic beverages.

It is important to monitor the flow of fluid into the body. It has been proven that the daily water requirement is 1.5-2 liters.

Treatment prognosis

Timely treatment provides a good chance of a full recovery. The patient is advised to constantly monitor his health and follow all medical prescriptions. If the doctor has registered you at the dispensary, then it is necessary to undergo laboratory and instrumental examinations every six months to prevent the development of a relapse.

Every person should understand that self-medication is dangerous to health. It is better to check with a specialist for reliable information about such a pathology as dry mouth (causes and treatment), and also find out from him about the severity and prognosis of your disease.

It is important to completely trust the specialist and be treated according to the established scheme. Listen to your body and pay due attention to all the changes that occur.

Dry mouth is the appearance of dryness of the oral mucosa, which is caused by a reduced secretory ability of the salivary glands or its complete absence. In medicine, this pathology is called “xerostomia”. In the chronic form of this disorder, it becomes difficult for a person to swallow, eat and speak, which negatively affects the quality of life. The temporary manifestation of such a symptom does not always require treatment, while severe, prolonged dry mouth requires immediate attention to a medical facility.

Etiology

There are more than enough reasons why your mouth feels dry in the morning or during sleep. This symptom may appear in the event of the development of such ailments:

• pathologies of the oral cavity;
• , including alcohol;
• gastroenterological disorders;
• acute purulent processes;
• inflammatory diseases;
• surgical pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition to ailments accompanied by this symptom, clinicians identify factors that contribute to the formation of dry mouth:

• impaired sensitivity of tongue receptors;
• insufficient amount of fluid consumed;
• breathing through the mouth;
• disruption of the nutritional processes of the oral mucosa;
• disturbance of the body's water-electrolyte balance or dehydration;
• pathologies of the endocrine system;
• mechanical drying due to exposure to warm air.

Also, dry mouth in the morning can occur with long-term treatment with certain medications.

Dry mouth is often observed during pregnancy. In this case, the short-term appearance of such a symptom should not cause concern.

As a rule, a decrease in the excretory function of the salivary glands manifests itself in the morning or at night. Snoring, mouth breathing and intoxication of the body after excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the appearance of dry mouth in the morning.

Dry mouth at night can occur due to difficulty breathing through the nose, excessive consumption of fatty, spicy and salty foods at night. If such a symptom does not go away within a few days, you should consult a doctor.

Quite often the cause of dry mouth at night is diabetes.

Symptoms

The appearance of dry mouth should not be considered as an independent pathological process. Almost always, this violation is a sign of the development of a certain disease.

Persistent dry mouth may be accompanied by the following clinical signs:

The presence of such additional symptoms clearly indicates the development of certain pathological processes in the body. In this case, it is strongly not recommended to take any medications or traditional medicine, as this can lead to the development of complications. In addition, unauthorized use of drugs blurs the clinical picture, which complicates further diagnosis and may lead to the prescription of incorrect treatment.

Diagnostics

First of all, a detailed physical examination of the patient is carried out to determine complaints, life history and medical history. To make a correct diagnosis and identify the etiology of a symptom, the doctor may prescribe the following laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods:

• drawing blood to determine glucose levels;
• blood sampling to determine the level of thyroid hormones;
• linked immunosorbent assay;
• serological studies;
• plain radiography;
• sialometry;
• biopsy and cytology of the salivary glands;
• probing the ducts of the salivary glands.

The attending physician can determine the cause of dry mouth at night or in the morning after receiving the results of the examination and taking into account the overall clinical picture. Only after this a course of therapy is prescribed.

Treatment

Therapy will depend on the etiological process, which manifests itself as dry mouth. A general treatment program may consist of the following:

• cure from the underlying disease;
• giving up bad habits, if any;
• normalization of nutrition and daily routine;
• drinking plenty of water;
• exclusion of alcoholic beverages.

It should be noted that dry mouth during pregnancy does not always allow the use of pharmacological agents, so a preliminary consultation with a doctor is required.

You can also use traditional medicine to eliminate this symptom, but only after talking with a doctor and as an addition to the main course of treatment. The traditional therapy method, in this case, involves the following:

• regularly rinse your mouth with lemon water;
• using a decoction of coltsfoot;
• lubricating the surface of the lips with Vaseline or hygienic lipstick;
• eating sugar-free candies.

In any case, if dry mouth occurs almost constantly after sleep, you should consult a doctor for advice rather than try to fix the problem yourself.

Prevention

Since xerostomia is not a separate disease, there are no specific methods of prevention. However, if you apply in practice the general recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing illnesses, you can eliminate this problem.

• timely treatment of all viral and infectious diseases;
• proper nutrition - you should not abuse fatty, spicy and salty foods, especially during dinner;
• eliminating bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol;
• correct body position during sleep, which will ensure proper breathing;
• avoiding stress and nervous tension;
• undergoing regular medical examination.

Dry mouth is familiar to many. Usually it is not considered a separate disease, but serves as a signal of serious disorders and a symptom of the onset of many diseases, including those with extremely serious consequences.

In medical language, dry mouth is called “xerostomia” and is expressed as follows:

• You're thirsty
• The tongue and mucous membranes in the mouth feel swollen and sticky
• You have difficulty swallowing
• There may be a strong burning sensation in the nasopharynx
• Severe hoarseness or lack of voice

Why does severe dry mouth occur?

Xerostomia may be episodic. In this case, it is most likely not associated with chronic diseases, but is a temporary or one-time disorder of salivation. Dry mouth is also often observed in the presence of bad habits and disturbances in sleep and eating patterns. For example:

• Excessive consumption of salty, sour, fatty foods, caffeine and strong tea
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Improper breathing (at night during snoring or nasal congestion)
• Side effects when taking certain medications
• High temperature due to colds
• Attacks of severe anxiety
• Hormonal surges during menopause and pregnancy

If dry mouth is permanent and accompanied by other disorders, you should take it more seriously. Some ailments are age-related and appear only in adulthood; some diseases that cause dry mouth can also appear in children.

Chest pain and dry mouth

• Chest pain and dry mouth indicate heart problems, hypertension, stroke, ischemic disorders.

Pressure and dry mouth

• Most drugs prescribed for treatment hypertension(high blood pressure), causing dry mouth as a side effect

Shortness of breath and dry mouth

• At cardiovascular diseases system, there is also a lack of air, shortness of breath, weakness in the limbs and dizziness

Dry mouth and coated tongue

• Dry mouth combined with a coating on the tongue, heartburn, and nausea indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Tinnitus and dry mouth

• Dry mouth and dizziness, tinnitus, pale skin, weakness are sure signs anemia and vitamin deficiency(lack of iron and vitamins in the body)

• With hypotension (low blood pressure), in addition to dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, severe headaches and constant drowsiness are also observed.

Runny nose and dry mouth

• For rhinitis ( runny nose) of various etiologies, inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa occurs, which in turn leads to dry mouth. It usually goes away along with the underlying disease

Bitterness and dry mouth

• Xerostomia with a bitter taste signals gallbladder diseases

Lack of appetite and dry mouth

• For severe nervous disorders ( bulimia, anorexia, depression) dry mouth is usually accompanied by a lack of interest in food and loss of appetite

Stomach pain and dry mouth

• Dryness plus abdominal pain - signs gastritis or ulcers stomach

Dry mouth and lump in throat

• In acute thyroiditis ( inflammation of the thyroid gland) there is a dry mouth, a feeling of a lump in the throat, difficulty swallowing

Bloating and dry mouth due to pancreatitis

• Dry mouth accompanied by bloating and upset bowel movements is a sign pancreatitis

Constipation and dry mouth

• At thyroid disorders, which affects the functioning of the digestive organs, various stool disorders may be observed. For example, with hypothyroidism there is dry mouth combined with frequent constipation

Dry mouth in diabetes

• If dry mouth is accompanied by frequent urination, sudden changes in body weight, extreme thirst in the morning, sleep disturbances, constipation, you may have diabetes

Frequent urination and dry mouth

• For chronic kidney diseases inflammatory processes significantly disrupt the body's water balance, which leads to constant dry mouth

Dry mouth and nausea

• If irritability, sweating, loss of appetite, trembling limbs and attacks of fear are added to nausea, you should be examined endocrine system

Dry mouth and menopause

• When advancing menopause In women, all the mucous membranes of the body begin to dry out, so dryness will be felt not only in the mouth, but also in the eyes, throat, and vagina. Other characteristic symptoms will also be present: hot flashes, chills, increased anxiety

Dry mouth after alcohol

• A pronounced poisoning of the body is hangover syndrome, in which the body, in particular the liver, tries hard to cope with excess ethyl alcohol and its breakdown products

Itching and dry mouth

• With a lack of vitamin A in the body, dry mouth is accompanied by itching, dryness and flaking of the skin, dull color and brittleness of hair and nails, and inflammation of the eyes. Long vitamin A deficiency can lead to severe damage to epithelial tissues with irreversible consequences

Red tongue and dry mouth

• At candidiasis(fungal infections of the oral cavity), along with dry mouth, a light coating on the tongue, burning and itching on the oral mucosa and surface of the tongue will be observed. Some forms of candidiasis, in the absence of plaque, stain the mouth and tongue bright red. Candidiasis can be an independent disease, or develop against the background of other diseases due to decreased immunity.

Dry mouth after eating

• With functional disorders of the salivary glands Dry mouth occurs directly during meals. This can be provoked by various types of tumors, neurogia, mechanical damage during operations

Heartburn and dry mouth

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which causes gastric juice to reflux into the esophagus, the main symptoms are heartburn and dry mouth.

Dry mouth and ARVI

• At inflammation of the respiratory tract, viral infections, dry mouth is usually accompanied by difficulty swallowing, a slight cough, a feeling of heaviness and burning in the larynx

Fever and dry mouth

• For bacterial infections ( sore throat, pneumonia, whooping cough) dry mouth may be a consequence of the high temperature characteristic of these diseases

Dry mouth in the morning

• A feeling of dry mouth in the morning that goes away on its own indicates that your breathing pattern was disturbed during sleep ( snoring, mouth breathing with a stuffy nose) or the humidity level in the room ( the air is too dry)

Dry mouth after poisoning

• One of the initial signs poisoning of any kind is dry mouth combined with profuse sweating, cramps, and a sharp change in complexion. In the future, stool disorders, vomiting and stomach cramps may appear. Any type of poisoning requires immediate medical attention

Diarrhea and dry mouth

• At oral viral infections, accompanied by profuse diarrhea and vomiting, severe dehydration occurs, and as a result, dry mouth. Long-term dehydration can cause dysbiosis and irritable bowel syndrome

Dry mouth when smoking

• When smoking dry mouth can be caused by functional disorders of the respiratory system and chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane, since tobacco tars have a destructive effect on the respiratory system and oral cavity

Dry mouth in older people

• Increased dry mouth may indicate serious autoimmune disorders in the body: systemic scleroderma, Sjögren's, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. With such diseases, sequential damage to various organs and systems occurs. Autoimmune diseases can appear at any age
• The list of ailments that accompany dry mouth can be continued for a long time. It is very important to distinguish normal thirst from symptoms of a serious chronic disease in time.
• If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, you will solve two problems at once: firstly, stop the development of the underlying disease, and secondly, prevent oral diseases caused by excessive dry mouth (gum inflammation, mouth ulcers, etc.)

Dry mouth in a child

Dry mouth in a child is most often caused by mouth breathing. If a baby suffers from adenoids, sinusitis, or nasal septum disorders, he cannot breathe through his nose. In this case, the oral cavity quickly dries out and a lack of saliva occurs. The first symptom of dry mouth in a child is the appearance of an odor.

Why does your mouth dry out during pregnancy?

• During pregnancy, the usual biological processes in the mother’s body undergo changes, and as a result lead to various health disorders
• Dry mouth in the early stages may be a consequence of toxicosis, which through various eating disorders causes dehydration of the body
• If pregnancy has significantly affected the change in taste preferences, dry mouth may be caused by excessive consumption of salty or spicy foods. In this case, it is necessary to bring the water-salt balance back to normal and monitor your diet.
• In later stages, dry mouth may be a consequence of a lack of vitamins and microelements, especially when other symptoms are present: redness of the skin, foreign tastes in the mouth, burning and itching of the skin. A detailed blood test will help to accurately determine the problem.
• It is also extremely important in the last trimester to maintain the correct drinking regime, since at this time the fetus reaches its maximum size, compressing the internal organs and changing the usual metabolic processes

What to do about the constant feeling of dry mouth?

To get rid of dry mouth, you must first eliminate its causes, that is, change your habits, balance your diet and medications, and consult a doctor for a full diagnosis.

• Give up bad habits: smoking and frequent drinking. Avoid overeating, limit yourself to fatty, spicy and salty foods. Drink at least 1.5 liters of clean drinking water per day
• Monitor the condition of the air in the room, ventilate it more often and do wet cleaning, eliminate possible sources of allergies and strong odors.
• If you are taking medications, discuss the dosage with your doctor or ask for a different one.

Which doctor should I contact for dry mouth?

If dry mouth is accompanied by the symptoms described in this article, make an appointment with an appropriate specialist:

If you find it difficult to choose a specialist, contact a therapist who will give you the appropriate referral after the initial diagnosis.

Drugs for dry mouth

If you are sure that dry mouth is not associated with serious illnesses, you can try to eliminate it yourself.

• Medicines that stimulate salivation or replace saliva: Bioxtra, Oralbalance, Bromelaine, ACC, Biotene
• Some manufacturers produce special lines of oral care products for patients suffering from xerostomia, for example Lakalut
• Dry mouth causes an increased proliferation of bacteria and microorganisms in the oral cavity, so it is important to take care of proper brushing of the teeth and the surface of the tongue during daily hygiene, as well as use medications that prevent fungal infections and caries, such as fluoride products

Treatment of dry mouth with folk remedies

• Hot red peppers, sugar-free candies, and sugar-free chewing gum promote saliva production.
• Lemon, papaya and grapefruit juice cause increased salivation
• Rinsing with tinctures of antiseptic herbs helps well: echinacea, chamomile, sage, calendula.
• Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol. You can use this folk recipe: half a teaspoon of salt and soda per glass of warm water

Video. Why does my mouth dry out while sleeping?

Video. Dry mouth due to infections

Dry mouth, or scientifically known as xerostomia, occurs due to insufficient production of saliva by the salivary glands. This is not a disease, but a symptom of some other disorder in the body. There can be quite a few reasons for dry mouth. In this article we will look at the causes of dry mouth and methods of eliminating it with folk remedies.

Causes of frequent dry mouth

There may be several reasons for persistent dry mouth:

• difficulty breathing through the nose and therefore frequent breathing through the mouth;
• frequent rinsing of the mouth and throat;
• insufficient water consumed per day;
• alcohol overdose;
• smoking;
• taking certain medications;
• excessive consumption of strong coffee;
• clearly dry air in the room you are in.

Also, a feeling of dry mouth can occur due to certain diseases:

• this is stomatitis;
• gastritis;
• nasal polyps;
• inflammatory processes in the kidneys, such as pyelonephritis;
• liver problems – hepatitis;
• endocrine diseases;
• anemia;
• infectious diseases;
• deficiency of vitamins A and B groups;
• nervous diseases such as overexcitation, stress, depression.

Sometimes xerostomia can be combined with other signs of disease:

• stickiness and gluing in the oral cavity;
• frequent urination;
• manifestation of changes in tastes of food or drinks;
• the appearance of bad breath;
• possible constipation or, conversely, diarrhea;
• possible itching of the skin;
• small;
• dry throat and nose;
• changes in the tempo and timbre of speech, hoarseness;
• in some cases, an increase in temperature;
• pain in the lower abdomen;
• sudden change in weight.

What to do for dry throat and mouth

Before starting treatment for dry mouth, it is advisable to find out the reasons from which it arose and begin treatment of concomitant diseases.

If dryness occurs due to the use of medications, then they should be replaced with analogues.

Try to give up bad habits - alcohol abuse, frequent smoking.

All oral diseases, such as caries, should be excluded - be sure to visit a dentist for this. Use mouthwash after brushing your teeth and eating. Use a fluoride toothpaste, moisturize your lips with chapstick, or wipe them with wet wipes.

How to quickly get rid of dry mouth without medications

To quickly get rid of dry mouth, there are several recommendations:

• drink a glass of clean water, sometimes you can add lemon juice to it, which promotes the secretion of saliva;
• Chew gum or suck on sugar-free mint or lemon lozenges;
• Red chili pepper causes increased salivation - to do this, add a little of it to your food;
• control your breathing - breathe through your nose;
• you can suck on a small ice cube;
• reduce your overall sugar consumption, sometimes it is because of it that a feeling of dry mouth appears during the day;
• You definitely need to humidify the room you are in;
• daily inhalations with essential oils will help moisturize the nose - add 3-4 drops of fir, eucalyptus or essential oils per liter of boiling water;
• increase your consumption of fermented milk products - eat fermented baked milk, kefir or yogurt every day;
• Do not use alcohol-based mouth rinses.

Treatment of dry mouth with folk remedies

Frequent rinsing with calendula or wormwood extracts will help make the salivary glands work: add 20-25 drops of calendula or wormwood extract into a glass of water. Rinse your mouth 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

Buy 2 oils at the pharmacy: rosehip and eucalyptus (chlorophyllipt). 3 times a day, first drop 3 drops of rosehip oil into your nose, and after 10-15 minutes eucalyptus oil. Chlorophyllipt has bactericidal properties, and rosehip oil helps stimulate the salivary glands.

Eating blueberries helps relieve dry mouth. They are very rich in vitamins, so it is advisable to eat them all year round, both fresh and dried. First, soak the dried berries in boiling water in a thermos, leave for 3-5 hours, then eat and drink the infusion. Eating blueberries has a general strengthening effect on the entire body, increases immunity, improves organ function and thereby eliminates increased dry mouth.

Chewing one cardamom pod every day after eating stimulates the salivary glands. After this, do not eat for an hour.

The same thing happens when you chew peppermint leaves every day. They should be chewed 20 minutes before each meal.

If unpleasant dry mouth occurs only at night, then before going to bed, lubricate your cheeks and tongue using a cotton swab. In the morning, brush your teeth and rinse your mouth as usual.

Rinsing your mouth with aloe juice has a positive effect on healing the entire oral cavity, because aloe has truly miraculous properties. Mix aloe juice with water 1 to 4 and rinse your mouth for at least 5 minutes 3 times a day.

One of the most unpleasant sensations that each of us has encountered is dry mouth. A dry mouth can be caused by anxiety, poor nutrition, or various diseases, and it is very important to determine in time what caused the unpleasant sensation.

Why does dry mouth occur?

Dry mouth can be either a symptom of a disease or an independent pathology.

Every day, the human body produces about 1.5 - 2 liters of saliva, which we need to wet and dissolve the bolus of food in the mouth, disinfect microorganisms that enter the mucous membrane, ensure normal acid-base balance in the oral cavity and many other functions.

If the amount of saliva produced decreases greatly, a whole range of unpleasant sensations appears:

• dryness and “stickiness” in the mouth;
• constant feeling of thirst;
• itching and burning in the mouth;
• dryness and roughness of the tongue;
• the appearance of cracks and irritation in the corners of the mouth and around the lips;
• difficulty speaking;
• difficulty chewing and swallowing food;
• bad breath.

Dry mouth or xerostomia can occur both in complete physical health, from external causes, and in severe pathologies of internal organs or diseases of the salivary glands.

In the absence of diseases Dry mouth can occur due to:

• Lack of fluid in the body- Oddly enough, it is not those who live in arid regions of the Earth who suffer most from a lack of fluid, but residents of megacities, who spend most of the day in offices, and then return to apartments with air conditioning. A decrease in indoor humidity leads to an increase in the need for fluid - according to nutritionists, to replenish the normal balance, each of us needs to drink 100-200 ml of clean water every 2-3 hours and use air humidifiers in all rooms where people are present for more than 2 hours. x hours in a row;
• Poor nutrition– too salty, spicy dishes, an abundance of smoked foods, canned foods and sweets in the diet cause severe thirst, which arises due to the large amount of salts in the body;
• Increase in room temperature– even with an increase in ambient temperature by 1 degree, the intensity of sweating can increase several times, which leads to gradual dehydration of the body;
• Taking medications– taking diuretic, antihypertensive, antitumor, psychotropic, vasoconstrictor, antihistamine and many other medications can cause severe dry mouth. Most often this occurs when the recommended doses are exceeded or the rules for taking medications are violated;
• Mechanical drying of the oral cavity– with difficulty in nasal breathing, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity dries out during night sleep or during the daytime. Dry mouth, pain and irritation of the mucous membrane torment the patient in the morning or constantly, causing irritation and causing diseases of the oral cavity or respiratory system. This problem can arise both in childhood - for example, with adenoids, and in older people - due to weakness of the muscles that hold the lower jaw or in patients suffering from bronchial asthma, diseases of the cardiovascular system and other organs;
• Alcohol poisoning– severe thirst and dry mouth are familiar to everyone who has at least once abused alcohol. In an attempt to rid the body of the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol as quickly as possible, the person who has “used” accelerates their metabolism and increases urination, which quickly leads to dehydration;
• Chemical poisoning– poisoning with heavy metal salts, acids or any other chemical compounds can cause severe thirst, dry mouth, weakness, clouding of consciousness and fainting;
• Smoking– when inhaling tobacco smoke, the oral cavity dries out, this occurs due to the simultaneous effect of hot smoke on the mucous membrane, deterioration of the salivary glands and vasospasm caused by nicotine;
• Hormonal changes– due to hormonal changes in the body during adolescence, pregnancy or menopause, the secretion of the salivary glands may decrease. Dry mouth that occurs due to hormonal imbalance, as a rule, is not too much of a concern, is not accompanied by any additional signs of pathology of the salivary glands and goes away on its own, without treatment.

Dry mouth - as a symptom of illness

If dry mouth occurs regularly or constantly bothers a person, you should definitely visit a doctor and rule out the following pathological conditions.

Infectious diseases

• Diseases of the salivary glands– Inflammation of the salivary glands, caused by bacteria, viruses, blockage of the salivary ducts or hereditary pathologies, can cause severe pain and swelling in the area of ​​the salivary glands - behind the ears, under the tongue or behind the lower jaw. The main difference between the pathology of the salivary glands and other diseases in which dry mouth appears is local pain and swelling in the area of ​​the salivary glands, and when the infection spreads, the patient’s body temperature rises, chills, general deterioration and headache appear.
• Infectious diseases of the upper and lower respiratory organs– ARVI, influenza, pharyngitis, bronchitis and other inflammatory diseases accompanied by an increase in body temperature almost always cause severe dryness in the oral cavity.
• Infectious diseases of the digestive system– with colitis, enteritis and other intestinal pathologies, the patient loses a lot of fluid not only with sweat, but also with vomit and loose stools. Dry mouth in such diseases becomes the first sign of dehydration, which greatly complicates the course of the disease.

Endocrine disorders

• Diabetes– dry mouth, increased thirst and increased urination are classic symptoms of carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Unlike insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can develop in previously healthy older people, especially those who suffer from excess weight, metabolic disorders or gastrointestinal diseases.
• Thyrotoxicosis– excessive production of thyroid hormones occurs in diffuse toxic goiter, thyroid adenoma and other pathologies of this organ. Patients are characterized by sudden mood swings, increased sweating, weight loss, increased thirst and constant dry mouth.

Deficiency states

• Anemia– a decrease in the concentration of iron in the blood is very common; children, women of reproductive age and men suffer from this disease. Iron deficiency anemia can be suspected if several signs are present: weakness, dizziness, decreased performance, dry mouth, pale skin and mucous membranes, perversion of taste, brittle hair and nails.
• B-12 deficiency anemia– with a deficiency of vitamin B 12, pernicious anemia develops; the clinical symptoms of this disease are almost no different from the signs of the disease with iron deficiency: dry mouth, weakness, dizziness, and so on. Pernicious anemia can be suspected by a change in the appearance of the tongue - it becomes smooth, bright red, as if “varnished”, and by impaired nerve sensitivity.
• Vitamin A hypovitaminosis– a lack of retinol leads to a sharp deterioration in the general condition of the body. The patient's skin becomes dry and flaky, dry mouth appears, sores in the corners of the lips, conjunctivitis and photophobia.

Traumatic injuries

Dry mouth can be caused by traumatic injury to one or more large salivary glands, their surgical removal, or injury to internal organs or large vessels.

Neurological disorders

Stress and nervous tension– stress and prolonged experiences can be accompanied by a strong feeling of thirst and dry mouth. Such unpleasant sensations arise before public speaking, the need to enter into an argument, or in other situations that require a lot of nervous tension from a person. In addition to dry mouth, a lump in the throat and loss of voice may be bothersome.

Much more severe disorders accompany inflammation or damage to the nerves innervating the salivary glands - the glossopharyngeal, facial or medulla oblongata, where the centers of these nerves are located. With such pathologies, saliva production can greatly decrease or stop completely, and in addition to dry mouth, the patient experiences problems with swallowing, speech, or recognition of taste sensations.

Systemic diseases

• Systemic scleroderma– a severe systemic disease in which scar or fibrous tissue begins to replace the tissue of internal organs and blood vessels, causing irreversible changes in the patient’s appearance, pathology of all internal organs, narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels and dry mucous membranes. One of the characteristic symptoms of the onset of the disease, in addition to neurological disorders, vision pathology and joint stiffness, is dry mouth, which occurs due to a narrowing of the lumen of the excretory ducts of the salivary glands and the formation of fibrous tissue in these organs. Systemic scleroderma affects people of any age and in any health condition; the exact causes of the disease and treatment methods are still unknown.
• Cystic fibrosis– a hereditary disease characterized by changes in the secretion of all human glands and disruption of the functioning of internal organs. Due to the fact that the salivary, sweat glands, glands located in the intestines, lungs and abdominal cavity begin to secrete too thick and viscous secretions, proper breathing, digestion of food and metabolism in the body is impossible. Cystic fibrosis is one of the most common hereditary diseases; this disease is usually diagnosed in children 1-2 years of age, and in mild forms - later. A characteristic sign of cystic fibrosis, in addition to abdominal pain and constant cough, is dry mouth and the deposition of salt crystals on the skin.
• Sjögren's syndrome or disease– the proliferation of lymphoid tissue in the salivary, lacrimal and other exocrine glands causes a decrease in fluid production and patients suffer from dry mouth, pain in the eyes, frequent diseases of the upper respiratory tract, oral cavity and visual organs.

Neoplasms

Dry mouth can occur with benign and malignant formations in the oral cavity. Most often, tumors of glandular tissue affect the parotid and submandibular glands. At the beginning of the disease, the patient is not bothered by any symptoms, but as the tumor grows, pain appears when tissue is destroyed or compressed, dry mouth when the excretory ducts are squeezed, impaired taste sensitivity, problems with speech, chewing or swallowing when metastasizing to neighboring organs.

What to do if you have dry mouth

Constant dry mouth is a reason to seek medical help. Before starting treatment and examinations, the doctor must clarify the presence and absence of bad habits, lifestyle and living conditions, the amount of fluid consumed per day, and whether the patient is taking or has recently taken any medications and for how long.

If dry mouth is not caused by any external factors, then it is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the pathology and only then begin treatment.

To make a diagnosis the patient is prescribed:

• CBC – allows you to diagnose anemia and the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
• OAM - to assess the condition of the urinary system and diagnose certain systemic diseases;
• BAC – blood test for the content of vitamins, minerals and other substances;
• determination of glucose levels - to exclude diabetes mellitus;
• blood for thyroid hormones;
• ELISA and serological analysis - if infectious and systemic diseases are suspected.

In addition to laboratory tests, the following are prescribed: ultrasound of the salivary glands, sialoscintigraphy - to study the amount and composition of salivary secretion; sialometry - assessment of the amount of salivary fluid; probing of the ducts of the salivary glands - to assess patency; biopsy and CT scan – if a tumor is suspected in the salivary glands; MRI – to detect neurological pathology and other studies.

What to do

If the cause of dry mouth cannot be determined, you can cope with the unpleasant sensation using the following methods:

• giving up bad habits - reducing the amount of alcohol and cigarettes consumed or completely giving them up often helps solve the problem of dry mouth without additional treatment methods;
• change in diet - if you have a dry mouth, your diet should not contain foods that cause increased thirst - salty, spicy, too sweet or dry foods, as well as carbonated drinks, processed foods and confectionery. You need to add more fresh vegetables and fruits that contain a lot of moisture to the menu;
• increasing the amount of fluid consumed - if the cause of dry mouth is ordinary dehydration, you can cope with it by getting into the habit of drinking 1/2 cup of water every 2-3 hours. Most often, the problem of dehydration occurs in people who work in conditions of high temperature, high air pollution or are forced to talk a lot; in this case, drinking 1 glass of water after breakfast, before lunch and 1 glass of water before bed will help to avoid dehydration - in the absence of urinary pathology systems;
• increasing the air humidity in the room - this can be a humidifier, an indoor fountain, an aquarium, or simply any container of water with a large evaporation area;
• stimulating the production of saliva - sucking on sugar-free candies, small slices of lemon, orange or grapefruit, or rolling nuts, beans or just smooth, clean pebbles in your mouth can help with this;
• Frequent rinsing of the mouth - if you cannot drink more liquid, for example, during pregnancy, kidney disease or hypertension, you can simply rinse the mouth with cool water or infusions of medicinal herbs.

In severe cases, it is possible to prescribe drugs that stimulate the production of saliva or replace it in the oral cavity.