Thirst in the mouth causes what disease. Why you feel dry mouth at night and in the morning: causes, elimination of the problem and treatment of possible diseases. Dry mouth and coated tongue

One of the problems in the body is insufficient functioning of the salivary glands, which causes dry mouth. There are many reasons that cause inadequate salivation, and ignoring the problem can lead to aggravation of the situation and to a chronic form of the disease.

Dysfunction of the salivary glands affects about 12% of the world's population. A decrease in the activity of the salivary glands causes a weakening of the protective functions of the oral cavity, which provokes the development of pathogenic microflora.

An unhealthy condition of the oral mucosa leads to gum disease and can provoke the development of caries, chronic tonsillitis, and stomatitis. Bad breath and sores on the lips are the consequences of lack of proper treatment.

Dry mouth (the causes of the disease it causes will be described below) can be caused by the following factors:

In addition to the feeling of dryness, the presence of additional symptoms may be observed in the oral cavity, which cannot be ignored for an accurate diagnosis.

Signs of disease, accompanied by dryness, bitterness, burning in the mouth

Factors that provoke inadequate functioning of the salivary glands can be short-term, long-term and permanent. A short-term phenomenon most often goes away on its own and does not entail the development of serious pathologies.

Prolonged dryness in the mouth, which is accompanied by bitterness and burning, can occur in the presence of the following diseases:

• The appearance of foci of inflammation in the head and spine.
• Oral diseases and dental problems caused by a lack of saliva to maintain healthy microflora.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: enteritis, lazy stomach syndrome, colitis, gastritis, stomach ulcers, dysbacteriosis.
• Inflammatory processes in the liver and biliary system.
• Disruption of the endocrine system.
• Arterial hypotension.
• Menopause.
• HIV AIDS.

A responsible attitude towards one’s own health means taking into account all accompanying symptoms. This will help prevent the development of complications in the presence of any of the diseases.

Helicobacter gastritis

This type of gastritis spreads quite easily between people. Light contact with a sick person or using shared utensils is enough for Helicobacter to settle in a healthy body.

Typical symptoms for this disease are:

• unpleasant odor and dry mouth;
• nausea, feeling of thirst;
• pain in the stomach and burning in the esophagus;
• flatulence;
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach.

If Helicobacter pylori gastritis is detected, complex treatment with medications and maintenance of a therapeutic diet are indicated.

Hypotension

Constant attacks of hypotension are accompanied by symptoms:

• dizziness;
• constant feeling of thirst and dryness in the mouth;
• unhealthy skin color;
• general weakness.

Chronic hypotension is caused by constant low blood pressure and does not allow all organs and systems to function normally. In addition to decreased salivation, a state of apathy, increased fatigue, and impaired thermoregulation are often observed.

Dry mouth, along with the above symptoms, is a direct indication for contacting a therapist and cardiologist. They will help determine which disease is caused by negative manifestations.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman experiences symptoms that are unusual for her. This is due to the heavy load on all organs and hormonal instability.

The feeling of dry mouth while pregnant can occur for various reasons:

• Dehydration of the body due to toxicosis.
• Increased sweating.
• Difficulty in nasal breathing.
• Anemia.
• Unusual taste preferences.

Most often, during the postpartum period, the body’s functioning normalizes, swelling will no longer bother you, and the food you eat will become more healthy. During pregnancy, a woman can help herself by independently monitoring her fluid balance, giving up bad habits and eating the healthiest foods possible.

Glandular cheilitis

The feeling of dryness in the mouth can be caused by an inflammatory disease that affects the salivary glands located in the thickness of the lips. The risk of developing glandular cheilitis increases significantly with poor quality care for the cleanliness of the oral cavity, smoking and the presence of active foci of inflammation on the mucous membrane.

The main symptoms of cheilitis are:

• peeling and burning on the lips;
• redness, bleeding ulcers;
• dry mouth, lips and tongue;
• painful sensations.

It is very important to prevent glandular cheilitis from becoming chronic. To do this, you should pay attention to the frequency of cracks on the lips, scaly crusts and a constant feeling of dryness. If symptoms persist for a long time, you should seek help from a medical facility.

IBS

Intestinal dysfunction can be caused by hormonal changes, dysbacteriosis, or changes in the usual diet.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is accompanied by additional symptoms:

• abdominal pain;
• sudden changes in stool: from diarrhea to constipation;
• flatulence, bloating.

These unpleasant symptoms may include a feeling of weakness, nausea and dry mouth. The development of IBS is largely facilitated by a person’s psychological state, so eliminating stress is important in treating the disease.

In addition, you will need to follow a diet and treatment with drugs to improve intestinal function.

Side effect of antibiotics

For some diseases, antibiotics are the only treatment. Despite their high effectiveness, antibiotics can cause a number of negative side reactions.

The main negative consequences include:

• disturbance of intestinal microflora;
• allergic reactions;
• malfunctions of the digestive system;
• disruption of cellular respiration.

Due to such disorders, problems with stool, nausea, and dry mouth may occur.

To minimize negative manifestations, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Take the drug at certain hours.
2. Take probiotics throughout the course of treatment.
3. Follow a diet.

Unpleasant sensations may occur immediately after starting antibiotics, or they may occur several days later. If there are other side effects, you will need to consult a doctor and possibly discontinue the drug.

For diabetes

Dry mouth (a biofluid analysis will help determine the cause of the disease) causes discomfort if it bothers you for a long time.

The level of glucose in the blood may change, which will reduce the body's protective functions and lead to dehydration.

The presence of diabetes mellitus obliges the patient to periodically be under the supervision of a doctor, undergo examinations and receive the necessary recommendations. Taking insulin medications will help maintain blood sugar levels and relieve additional discomfort such as dry mouth and general malaise.

For pancreatitis

The intake of food into the body provokes the production of special substances that are necessary for the digestion of foods. In the general metabolic process, such enzymes are vital. For various reasons, the ducts to the organs may be blocked, in which case the food processing process is activated directly in the gland.

In this case, cutting pain is observed, the temperature may rise, and nausea and dryness in the oral cavity may occur. With the onset of the acute stage, a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition may occur. In order to avoid a sharp deterioration, you should consult a doctor when the first suspicious symptoms of pancreatitis appear.

During menopause

Due to the beginning of the attenuation of the processes of full functioning of the ovaries in women, numerous changes occur in the functioning of the whole organism. Along with irregular menstruation and constant hot flashes, dry mucous membranes may be felt.

The feeling of lack of hydration can affect the throat, mouth, vagina, and eyes. This condition is associated with a decrease in the level of the hormone estrogen, the deficiency of which leads to various uncomfortable sensations.

To get rid of dry mouth, the following recommendations will help:

• During the day, you should drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
• If your lips dry out, use special moisturizers.
• Limit intake of smoked and salty foods. You should increase your consumption of juicy fruits and vegetables, herbs.
• To facilitate general well-being, it is advisable to saturate the body with vitamins; the use of sedatives of medicinal origin is not excluded.

If dry mouth bothers you in a certain room, then you should take care of the level of air humidity by using a humidifier. If possible, you should undergo a comprehensive examination, as a result of which you can determine the presence or absence of health problems.

For HIV

HIV is characterized by decreased immunity and the body's resistance to various diseases. In this regard, diseases of the mucous membranes of the mouth are far from a rare occurrence in HIV. Dysfunction of the salivary glands can lead to exacerbation and development of other diseases.

To eliminate such an unpleasant symptom as dryness, you should take care of a healthy diet and normalize your drinking regime. Particular attention should be paid to ensuring that food is maximally saturated with beneficial vitamins, which are the basis for maintaining immunity.

What does the time of dryness indicate: morning, afternoon, evening, night

To understand the reason for the defective functioning of the salivary glands, which can cause the development of physiological or pathological problems, Observing the time of day when this problem begins to bother you will help:

Daytime dryness is the most dangerous and its presence over a long period is a direct indication for consulting a doctor:

If independent elimination of the causes does not help restore normal functioning of the salivary glands, then you should seek help from a doctor. Complete treatment will not only eliminate general symptoms, but also take a comprehensive approach to treating the disease.

Consequences of constant dryness

Saliva is necessary for a person to constantly moisturize and cleanse the oral cavity. If you do not understand the cause of dysfunction of the salivary glands in a timely manner, then everyday life will be overshadowed by unpleasant sensations.

Insufficient saliva production subsequently leads to adverse consequences:

1. The appearance of cracks in the corners of the lips.
2. The appearance of bad breath.
3. The occurrence of disease of teeth and gums.
4. Burning tongue.
5. The taste of food begins to change.
6. Partial or complete atrophy of the mucosa.
7. Hoarse voice.
8. Deterioration of diction.

Particular attention should be paid if dry mouth occurs along with the appearance of an unpleasant aftertaste, which can be metallic, bitter or sour.

How to make the correct diagnosis?

Timely diagnosis is the most important step towards solving the problem of dry mouth. First of all, you should contact a therapist with a complaint, who will conduct a visual examination of the patient’s mucous membranes.

Further diagnostics will be more narrowly focused and consist of the following types of examinations:

Computed tomography and probing of the ducts of the salivary glands may be prescribed as an additional examination of the patient’s condition. Based on the results obtained, the therapist will refer the patient for consultation with specialized specialists: infectious disease specialist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon.

Based on the test results, appropriate treatment will be prescribed depending on the causes of the disorders.

Treatment for dry mouth

Dry mouth (the causes of which disease are such deviations was described earlier) may indicate the presence of various diseases. Drug therapy should be selected by a qualified physician, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient’s body and the identified disease.

General treatment principles will include the following recommendations:

Depending on the severity of the disease, a therapeutic diet may be prescribed, which can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition.

Symptomatic therapy

Without a diagnosis, there is no point in treating dry mouth.

However, it is possible to temporarily alleviate the condition with the help of the following recommendations:

In addition, you should pay attention to the foods you consume: exclude fast food, dry snacks, and smoked foods. The diet should be as rich as possible in healthy vitamins, food should be soft and not dry.

Treatment with traditional medicine

Traditional medicine advice is unlikely to help in the presence of complex diseases, but as supportive therapy they can relieve discomfort.

• Increasing the consumption of coriander seeds and parsley.
• Saturation of the diet with vegetables and fruits.
• Drinking water with lemon juice in the absence of visible diseases from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Drinking teas with the addition of mint and eucalyptus leaves. This will freshen your breath, eliminate any possible unpleasant taste and promote saliva production.
• Mouth rinse with infusions of blueberries, sage and chamomile. The remedy can be prepared by pouring the ingredients in an amount of 1 tbsp. each with 1 cup boiling water. 1 hour will be enough to prepare the composition, after which it can be used.

These methods are short-term ways to improve the condition, but do not replace the requirement for drug therapy.

In everyday life, dry mouth can cause a lot of inconvenience, so you should not ignore this problem. A comprehensive examination and treatment, aimed not only at eliminating symptoms, but also providing comprehensive therapy, will help determine which disease is caused by insufficient saliva production.

Article format: Vladimir the Great

Video about dry mouth

Causes and treatment of dry mouth:

Dry mouth is not interpreted as a separate disease, but can serve as a signal of a number of pathological changes in the body. Complaints of dry mouth can become one of the diagnostic criteria for identifying and identifying diseases. In medical terminology, this condition is called “xerostomia”.

Why does dry mouth occur?

The feeling of dry mouth is defined as constant thirst. If the condition does not go away with the usual replenishment of the lack of fluid, then this may indicate the development or occurrence of a number of diseases.

Dry mouth should not be ignored, as this condition can be a signal of many diseases.

During the day, approximately two liters of saliva are produced in the mouth. With insufficient salivation, dry mouth develops, which is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

• Increased viscosity of saliva;
• Burning of the tongue, a slight tingling sensation on the tongue and in the oral cavity;
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing;
• Constant desire to drink water or rinse your mouth;
• Pain and injury in the mouth, in the palate and around the mouth;
• Decreased sense of taste;
• Bad breath;
• Feeling of “stickiness” in the mouth and dry throat;
• Inconvenience and difficulty in speaking;
• The appearance of a hoarse voice;
• Dry nose.

If dryness is episodic, then it is usually not associated with chronic diseases, but is simply a one-time or temporary disorder of salivation.

Such disorders can occur in the following situations:

• With excessive consumption of fatty, salty, sour, fried foods, strong tea or caffeine;
• If you are breathing incorrectly (for example, with nasal congestion or during night snoring);
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes;
• At high temperatures and heat accompanying infectious colds;
• For hormonal disorders (during pregnancy);
• When taking a number of medications, as a side effect;
• During operations and injuries of the neck and head (due to disruption of the integrity of nerve endings);
• In general, the result is heat, thermal skin lesions, increased sweating, blood loss;
• Due to surgery on the salivary glands.

Dry mouth can occur after certain therapeutic methods are used, such as radiation to the head during chemotherapy for cancer.

For many people, as they age, saliva production decreases significantly and the perception of thirst decreases, which can also cause persistent dryness (a condition common in older people).

If dry mouth occurs on an ongoing basis and is accompanied by other symptoms and disorders, then this indicates the emergence and spread of pathological conditions in the body.

Note! Dry mouth and thirst are often the first manifestation in young and middle-aged people.

Dry mouth is an unpleasant phenomenon in itself that significantly affects the quality of life. But a decrease in salivation entails the development of other unpleasant conditions - caries, stomatitis and other pathologies of the oral cavity.

Dry mouth and diseases

When diagnosing a disease, it is unacceptable to consider dry mouth as a separate symptom. It is necessary to take into account other atypical manifestations that occur simultaneously with this condition.

A constant feeling of dry mouth may indicate serious autoimmune disorders: Sjögren's disease, Alzheimer's disease. Such diseases can manifest themselves regardless of a person’s age.

It happens that dry mouth appears only during a certain period of time - this condition can be associated with local causes, or be a natural manifestation of external factors on the body.

Dry mouth in the morning

This condition is usually associated with mechanical drying of the airways during sleep due to mouth breathing (due to snoring or nasal congestion). Dry mouth in the morning can be caused by frequent and uncontrolled use of sedatives, bronchodilators, painkillers, and antibiotics. However, dryness and a “sticky” feeling in the mouth in the morning is one of the signs of sugar, so if this condition occurs regularly, you should check for sugar.

At night time

The condition can be caused by trivial reasons, such as: overeating at night, impaired nasal breathing, drying out of the mucous membrane due to poor humidity in the room. Constant dry mouth that occurs at night indicates the presence of chronic diseases, disorders in the endocrine, nervous and genitourinary systems.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, the usual processes in the body undergo significant changes, which leads to changes in well-being. A recurring feeling of dry mouth is one of the common complaints during pregnancy.

Why does dry mouth occur in pregnant women?

• As a consequence, causing various eating disorders (vomiting,) and, as a result of them,.
• If during pregnancy your taste preferences have changed significantly, and preference begins to be given to salty and spicy foods. In this case, you should change your diet and regulate the water-salt balance.
• Dry mouth can occur due to a lack of vitamins and microelements in late pregnancy. To eliminate the problem, you should do a detailed blood test and compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals.

If dry mouth becomes protracted and permanent, this may indicate the presence of a chronic disease, and such a sign cannot be ignored by a pregnant woman.

The combination of dry mouth with constant swelling, nausea, and increased blood pressure indicates the development of gestosis - a dangerous condition that threatens the health and life of mother and baby.

During menopause

During menopause, there is a gradual decline in the functioning of the sex glands and a decrease in the amount of hormones, which inevitably affects the condition of the whole organism. Against the background of changes in the autonomic nervous system, dizziness, defecation disorders, dry mouth, and frequent urination occur.

These symptoms are usually not very pronounced, but if a woman during menopause has suffered severe stress, trauma or serious illness, menopausal syndrome may occur. In this condition, all mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, vagina) dry out, swelling, pain in the head, heart, and joints are observed.

By changing your diet, doing physical activity, and taking certain vitamins, such symptoms quickly subside.

How to deal with dry mouth

To eliminate dry mouth, you must first eliminate the causes that cause it, namely, adjust your medication intake, diet, and change habits.

If dryness is not associated with serious illnesses, you can try to increase saliva production on your own:

• Drink more fluid.
• Reduce consumption of salty and spicy foods.
• Quit cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
• Clean your mouth with fluoride rinses and toothpastes.
• Control nasal breathing (try to breathe through your nose).
• Monitor the air humidity in the room.
• Change your diet: give up chips, bread, crackers, nuts, consume food in more liquid form, at room temperature.

If dry mouth occurs on an ongoing basis and is accompanied by other alarming symptoms, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. In this case, the doctor finds out the reasons and prescribes treatment after completing a full course of examination.

What to do to eliminate dryness:

• Add a small amount of chili pepper to dishes).
• Use medications that stimulate salivation: Biotene, Oralbalance, Bioxtra, Galantamine, Potassium Iodide, Pilocarpine.
• Chew suckable candy or chewing gum (sugar-free).
• Increase salivation by drinking natural juices from lemon, papaya.
• Rinse your mouth with decoctions of sage, chamomile, calendula, coltsfoot.

Constant dry mouth is a possible manifestation of pathology. You should not try to treat it yourself without finding out exactly the cause of this condition.

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a disease that causes a lot of trouble. The mucous membrane often dries out during night sleep. According to statistics, about 10% of the population faced the problem.

Xerostomia in adults occurs for various reasons. If you notice an unpleasant phenomenon, which includes dizziness, weakness, and thirst, be sure to consult a doctor. Often, dry mucous membranes are one of the signs of pathological processes in the body.

Causes

Xerostomia often occurs in old age. The salivary glands secrete a smaller volume of fluid, and discomfort in the oral cavity is felt. Insufficiently moistened mucous membrane is favorable soil for the appearance of wounds, microcracks, and the development of inflammatory processes.

In addition to old age, there are other provoking factors:

• mouth breathing. Often, with nasal congestion at night, a person involuntarily breathes through his mouth. In some patients, a runny nose becomes chronic. It is quite difficult to get rid of increased dryness of the mucous membranes when breathing through the mouth;
• medications. Taking antidepressants, diuretics, and blood pressure-lowering compounds sometimes causes the mucous membrane in the mouth to dry out. Xerostomia, as a side effect, occurs in patients taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and allergy pills;
• autoimmune diseases. Problems with salivation occur with lupus erythematosus, Sjögren's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. The tissue of the salivary glands is damaged, the body considers the cells to be foreign bodies and rejects them. It is impossible to eliminate the problem; maintenance therapy and hydration of oral tissues throughout life are recommended;
• irradiation in the treatment of cancer. A reduced volume of fluid in the mouth and poor functioning of the salivary glands are one of the side effects of irradiation of the head and neck;
• diabetes. In some patients, a dangerous chronic disease was detected during a blood sugar test prescribed to check for persistent dry mouth. If frequent urination and thirst are added to the lack of saliva, be sure to consult a doctor to check for suspected diabetes.

Less common causes of dry mouth at night are the following conditions and diseases:

• a stone blocking the ducts of the salivary gland;
• dehydration of the body;
• constant use of rinses containing alcohol;
• anorexia, bulimia (appetite problems);
• hormonal imbalances during pregnancy;
• an infection affecting the salivary glands.

Symptoms

Lack of saliva causes discomfort and provokes pathological changes in the mucous membrane. A minimum of fluid in the mouth is no less irritating than excessive salivation.

Main patient complaints:

• poorly healing wounds, traumatic injuries;
• inflammatory processes of gum tissue, redness, slight swelling;
• the appearance of carious cavities;
• formation of erosions, ulcers, oral candidiasis;
• burning of throat, tongue;
• coughing attacks;
• chapped lips, “jams” in the corners of the mouth;
• putrid odor from the mouth.

Diagnostics

Who should I contact if I have frequent dry mouth? Make your first visit to a dental surgeon.

The specialist will check whether the salivary glands are working correctly, determine the volume of liquid, and evaluate the viscosity and transparency of the secretions. After examination, stones in the ducts and infection of the salivary glands are often discovered.

The highest qualifications are those who practice maxillofacial surgeons in hospitals, rather than in outpatient clinics. If the problem is caused not only by the condition of the salivary glands or stones in the ducts, the jaw surgeon will prescribe an additional examination.

To clarify the diagnosis and identify underlying diseases, laboratory tests are required:

• blood for sugar;
• Analysis of urine;
• blood chemistry.

Important! Consultation with a gastroenterologist, ENT doctor, or dentist is required. If autoimmune pathologies are suspected, a visit to an immunologist is recommended.

Methods and rules of treatment

After clarifying the diagnosis, general and local treatment is required, taking into account the identified pathologies. Eliminating the causes that interfere with the normal functioning of the salivary glands is a prerequisite for successful therapy.

The prognosis depends on the pathology or condition that provoked the unpleasant symptom.

General therapy

Peculiarities:

• severe autoimmune diseases require symptomatic therapy to normalize quality of life. It is impossible to completely get rid of autoimmune pathologies;
• if increased dryness of the mucous membranes develops at night due to human fault/in diseases that respond well to treatment, the harmful factor will first have to be eliminated. If your nose is stuffy, consult an ENT doctor;
• If you have dry mouth during pregnancy, women should not take most medications. Symptomatic treatment in the oral cavity will help;
• Avoid alcohol rinses. For hygiene measures, use formulations without irritating components, herbal decoctions. The popular one gives a good effect for fresh breath and the fight against putrefactive bacteria. Choose the Basic series without alcohol (Strong Teeth, Healthy Gums or Total Care);
• Is the malfunction of the salivary glands caused by the ducts in which the stone is found? A dental surgeon will solve the problem. After eliminating the inflammatory process, removing the stone that impedes the passage of fluid, the condition of the oral cavity returns to normal;
• Has the doctor determined that bitterness and dryness in the mouth, cracks, and redness occur while taking medications? Contact the specialist who prescribed the drug, ask to prescribe an analogue/cancel the composition. Most drugs have good substitutes; choosing a remedy will not be difficult;
• when diagnosing candidal stomatitis or, timely treatment of the disease is required. It is mandatory to take antifungal medications, treat affected areas with dental gels, and strengthen the immune system. (Read more about stomatitis in children; there is a page about stomatitis in adults).

How to relieve the symptoms of xerostomia

Measures aimed at softening the mucous membrane, eliminating irritation and ulcers will help relieve unpleasant symptoms and dry mouth during sleep. Both natural formulations and pharmaceutical products are recommended.

How to increase salivation:

• Use chewing gum several times a day. Observe two conditions: the gum must be sugar-free, chew for a short time (2-3 minutes);
• some dentists advise rinsing your mouth with a decoction of bitter herbs or drinking drops of lemon juice;
• The drugs Cevimeline or Pilocarpine will help stimulate saliva production.

Important! Take medications, select drops or herbs only after consulting a dentist. Choosing the wrong product can provoke allergies and further dry out damaged tissues.

Moisturizing the mucous membrane:

• Drink water in small sips throughout the day. In the evening, place a glass of boiled/purified water on your bedside table. If you wake up at night with very dry mucous membranes, drink some liquid;
• rinses with herbal extracts and mineral components eliminate signs of xerostomia. The product “Bionete with calcium” and the rinse aid “Lakalut Flora” have a good effect. The compositions not only moisturize dry mucous membranes, but also protect against bacterial and fungal infections;
• toothpaste for sensitive mucous membranes. During hygiene procedures, conventional cleansing compositions sometimes irritate the mucous membranes. Use the Lakalut Flora series paste or Bionete Oral Balanse. The components of special products moisturize mucous membranes, maintain normal acidity levels, and restore microflora.

Folk remedies and recipes

Proven recipes:

• soda + salt. You will need a liter of boiling water, 1 tsp. natural ingredients. Add 1 tsp to the solution. olive oil. Breathe in the healing steam for 5 minutes;
• herbal collection Combine lemon balm, chamomile, calendula. Take 1 tsp. collection, pour in a liter of boiling water. Let it brew for 15 minutes, slightly heat the liquid to create steam. The duration of the procedure is the same as in recipe No. 1;
• inhalation with Karavaev balm. An excellent remedy for combating dry mucous membranes. Pour one and a half liters of boiling water into a bowl, add 20 drops of the medicinal composition. Breathe either through your mouth or through your nose. The duration of the procedure is no more than five minutes.

Find out about the benefits and features of a removable bowtie.

A page is written about the beneficial properties and effects of toothpastes with calcium without fluoride.

Read here about using aligners to straighten your teeth.

Some factors that provoke dry mucous membranes are practically impossible to combat (autoimmune pathologies) or impractical (hormonal imbalance during pregnancy). In other cases, simple rules prevent unpleasant symptoms in the oral cavity.

Preventive measures:

• drinking enough fluids throughout the day;
• good hygiene of teeth and gums, use of high-quality toothpaste that does not irritate delicate tissues;
• timely treatment of acute forms of diseases, control of chronic pathologies;
• prevention of nasal congestion;
• avoiding the constant use of mouthwashes containing alcohol. Alternate formulations with active and softer properties;
• consult a doctor in time to cancel (replace) medications that reduce saliva production;
• do not injure the mucous membranes, prevent infection from entering from unwashed vegetables/fruits, through shared dishes or toothbrushes;
• During/after courses of radiation to the upper body, visit your dentist to monitor your oral health. With radiation therapy, sometimes not only dry mouth develops, but also a dangerous disease - osteonecrosis (destruction of the jaw bone);
• Maintain an adequate level of humidity in your living space. Constantly running air conditioning and central heating radiators are one of the reasons for insufficient hydration of the mucous membranes;
• do not smoke at night, do not drink strong alcohol in the evening, avoid salted/smoked fish during dinner. Unfortunately, patients in dental clinics who complain of cracks, ulcers, and irritation of the mucous membranes often violate these simple recommendations.

If xerostomia occurs frequently during sleep, do not self-medicate. A glass of water will temporarily relieve unpleasant symptoms, but will not solve the problem. Only after examination and identification of the causes of dry tissue in the mouth can complex therapy begin. Visit a dentist or specialists, and you will certainly eliminate the factors that interfere with your normal life.

Find out more interesting information about methods of eliminating dry mouth from the following video:

Dry mouth or xerostomia is caused by dozens of internal or external factors. Drying of the mucous membrane can be caused by external factors and is easily eliminated by changing the microclimate or taking fluids. But very often xerostomia is a symptom of serious neurological or physiological disorders. If you notice constant dry mouth, what causes should you look for?

The feeling of dry mouth occurs due to insufficient function of the salivary glands. Pathology is detected in 12% of the world's population. In the age group, the incidence of xerostomia increases and amounts to more than 25%. This increase in dysfunction of the salivary glands with age is caused not only by destructive and degenerative processes, but is also the result of numerous diseases suffered during life.

The causes of constant dry mouth are a violation of the qualitative composition and quantitative volume of secretions secreted by the salivary glands.

If you analyze the scientific literature, you will notice how rarely this problem is studied. The reason for this “inattention” is the lack of a clear definition of the very concept of “dry mouth”.

A common cause of decreased salivation is side effects of therapy using:

• tetracyclic antidepressants;
• antipsychotics;
• atropine and antihistamines;
• β - blockers that cause hyposialia (reduced secretion of saliva).

Drug-induced xerostomia is usually mild or mild, and salivary gland function is restored after treatment adjustments.

A much more dangerous cause of suppression of salivary secretion is radiotherapy used to treat malignant diseases of the cervicofacial region, upper respiratory tract and digestive tract. The salivary glands are extremely sensitive to the effects of ionizing radiation. Under its influence, irreversible changes occur in the tissues, causing drying out of the mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx. A total dose of 10 Gy received over a week of treatment leads to a reduction in saliva production by 50-60%. Chemotherapy also leads to similar consequences, but this phenomenon is usually reversible.

More diverse are the causes of dry mouth of a non-iatrogenic (not caused by diagnostic, preventive or therapeutic actions) nature. Constant dry mouth is caused by somatic diseases.

Atypical factors for hypospadias are:

• bad habits – smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol;
• drinking coffee and drinks containing caffeine.

The volume of saliva secreted directly depends on the level of hydration (“water content”) of the body.

The feeling of dryness in the mouth accompanies fluid loss due to:

• profuse sweating caused by increased body or environmental temperature;
• massive blood loss;
• extensive damage to the skin (frostbite, burns);
• diarrhea and vomiting.

The feeling of dry mouth may appear during pregnancy and lactation. Xerostomia during pregnancy is reversible and is caused by natural processes occurring in a woman’s body.

Xerostomia has a tendency to increase, especially in recent decades, which is associated with environmental deterioration, physical inactivity, hypoxia and chronic stress.

A decrease in the secretory function of the salivary glands leads to a weakening of the protective mechanisms of the oral cavity and creates favorable conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora.

The following disorders are observed with xerostomia:

• trophic function of oral tissues;
• process of tooth enamel regeneration;
• cell cycle of oral epithelial cells;
• antimicrobial function;
• digestive processes;
• synthesis of growth factors:
• nerves;
• epidermis;
• production of parotin, a hormone involved in phosphorus-calcium metabolism in bone and cartilage tissue.

Some scientists cite an increase in life expectancy as the reason for the increase in hyposalivation and xerostomia, since the majority of patients visiting medical institutions for dry mouth are noted in developed countries. These are mainly people of the same age group.

What diseases can it appear in?

The causes of constant dry mouth of a non-iatrogenic nature are diseases of the circulatory and endocrine systems, various infections, metabolic disorders:

• primary and secondary Gougerot-Sjögren syndrome;
• diabetes mellitus type 2;
• hyper- or hypothyroidism;
• Mikulicz syndrome;
• some metabolic disorders;
• infectious diseases;
• hypertonic disease;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• Iron-deficiency anemia;

A disorder of the salivary glands causes a disturbance in the chewing process caused by malocclusion or tooth loss. Drying of the oral mucosa occurs when breathing through the nose is impaired as a result of rhinitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, hay fever, and obstruction of the nasal cavities.

Dry mouth is caused by loss of fluid due to:

• blood poisoning;
• fever;
• pneumonia;
• typhus and typhoid fever;
• some gastrointestinal diseases;
• poisoning;
• dysbacteriosis.

Dry mouth is caused by reflex inhibition of the function of the salivary glands, their inflammation (sialadenitis) or blockage of the excretory ducts (sialolithiasis). Neurogenic causes of decreased salivation are observed in some nervous diseases, as well as in cases of damage to the nervous system.

Dryness in the oral cavity is observed with cystic fibrosis, with a genetic disease - Prader-Willi syndrome, diffuse connective tissue diseases, pathology of the biliary system, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. According to some scientists, the function of the salivary glands very accurately reflects the state of the excretory system. Such a number of diseases, the symptom of which is dry mouth, requires serious study of this condition.

Causes of manifestation during the day and at night

Dry mouth may not occur all the time, but at certain times of the day. If the mucous membrane dries out at night or dryness is felt in the morning, the cause may be impaired nasal breathing, snoring during sleep, increased dryness or air temperature in the room. In older people, mouth breathing during sleep is caused by weakening of the musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the lower jaw.
In women, hyposalivation can be caused by the use of cosmetics for the treatment of acne and increased oily skin. When applying medicinal cosmetics before bedtime, in the morning there is discomfort in the oral cavity and a feeling of dryness.

Eating salty, spicy foods and alcohol for dinner is also accompanied by morning thirst and dry mouth.

During the daytime, a feeling of dryness can be caused by:

• intense physical activity;
• negative emotions;
• insufficient fluid intake;
• prolonged exposure to the sun;
• high ambient temperature;
• work in a heating microclimate;
• staying in the sauna;
• stress.

All these factors cause a temporary feeling of dryness and when they are eliminated, saliva production is restored.

Dryness and bad breath

Bad breath (halitosis) accompanies insufficient saliva production. Saliva has bactericidal, antifungal, and antiseptic properties. Normally, 1 m3 of salivary gland secretion contains about 4,000 leukocytes, which provide a protective function in the oral cavity. If the amount of saliva is insufficient, the natural microbiocenosis (complex of microorganisms) changes, and the number of pathogenic microbes and fungi increases. The waste products of anaerobic microorganisms that appear in the oral cavity in the absence of saliva have an unpleasant odor.

In addition, with a decrease in saliva production, the initial stages of digestion occurring in the oral cavity are disrupted. Food is not wetted, remains for a long time in the interdental space, under the gums, and as a result of putrefactive processes, volatile substances with an unpleasant odor are released.

When the mucous membrane dries out as a result of a compensatory process, plasma proteins are released on the surface of the mucous membrane - a whitish coating; it is not only a favorable environment for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, but also a substrate for the release of volatile sulfur compounds.

Halitosis is caused by periodontal inflammation, caries and other dental diseases. This pathology is also caused by dry mouth. That is why dry mouth and halitosis are indicators of dehydration (dehydration) of the body and symptoms of disturbances in the processes occurring in the oral cavity.

Constant feelings of discomfort

During the day, three pairs of large salivary glands - parotid, submandibular, sublingual - secrete 0.5-2 liters of saliva of a complex composition into the oral cavity.

Impaired production or flow of saliva is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• the mucous membrane of the inner surface of the cheeks and the surface of the tongue becomes sticky;
• a whitish coating is deposited on the sky;
• saliva does not accumulate in the mouth;
• cervical (cervical) caries appears;
• the structure and color of the gums changes;
• the mucous membrane becomes pale and matte;
• the secreted saliva foams;
• there are no papillae along the edge of the tongue;
• Numerous grooves appear on the surface of the tongue;
• lobules are noticeable on the tongue;
• the mucous membrane of the cheeks and tongue atrophies;
• Plaque is deposited on the teeth;
• speech function is impaired;
• digestion suffers;
• the sense of taste is distorted;
• the process of eating is difficult;
• there is a bad breath.

Atrophy of the mucous membrane is accompanied by thinning, the appearance of small erosions and cracks not only in the mouth, but also in the corners of the lips.

Features of the disease during pregnancy

Dry mouth during gestation is caused by natural changes in the body:

• increased urine output caused by:
• mechanical compression of the bladder by the growing fetus;
• changes in hormonal levels - hyperproduction of progesterone, which affects the tone of the pelvic muscles;
• increased volume of fluid in the body, which the kidneys cannot cope with.
• imbalance of minerals caused by their use to build fetal tissue. Therefore, pregnant women often have a desire to eat pickles, which cause thirst and dry mouth.

If dry mouth is accompanied by a metallic taste or the smell of acetone, then a possible cause of the condition is gestational diabetes.

How to deal with dry mouth?

To eliminate dry mouth you need to:

1. maintain oral hygiene;
2. visit the dentist regularly;
3. observe the drinking regime - drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day;
4. drink in small sips and often;
5. exclude caffeinated drinks and sweet carbonated water;
6. To brush your teeth, use pastes with fluoride and essential oils that have bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and deodorizing effects;
7. rinse the mouth with a 2% solution of sea salt at least 4 times a day, irrigate with a 0.9% solution of sodium chloride (saline) and decoctions of medicinal plants that stimulate the secretion of saliva;
8. Avoid alcohol-containing mouth rinses;
9. do not use hard toothbrushes;
10. use lip moisturizers;
11. stimulate saliva production with sugar-free chewing gum and sour candies.

For severe xerostomia, use:

• gel "Xerostom";
• saliva substitute Oralbalance;
• lysozyme solution;
• Lysocol with collagen;
• 5% methyluracil ointment;
• physiotherapy – electrophoresis with medications on the area of ​​the salivary glands.

If there is constant dryness in the oral cavity, you should undergo an examination, determine the cause of the condition and begin treatment for the somatic diseases that caused it.

In medicine, there is the concept of xerostomia, which means dry mouth. It refers to the symptoms of many diseases, or is temporarily present in the body. The production of saliva decreases or stops completely. There can be many reasons for the appearance, in particular the presence of infections in the body, heart disease, nervous system and others.

Correct interpretation and detailed analysis when diagnosing the symptom of dry mouth will allow you to determine an accurate diagnosis.

Dryness of the oral cavity can be temporary during an exacerbation of chronic diseases, or after taking medications. If drying out of the mucous membrane occurs due to a serious illness, then there is itching in the mouth, a burning sensation on the tongue, cracks form, and noticeable dryness in the throat. In this situation, you should immediately consult a doctor, because in the future, partial or complete atrophy of the mucosa may develop.

Dry mouth can cause a serious illness, consult a doctor promptly

Why your mouth gets dry and the causes of the pathology, first of all, will be determined by your therapist. He will subsequently refer you to specialized specialists such as a dentist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and others. But first, the state of dryness is determined at an appointment with a therapist with accompanying symptoms such as dry throat and nasopharynx, burning in the mouth, frequent urination, and more.

The process occurs due to the development of such malfunctions and disorders in the body as:

• high blood pressure;
• trophic changes in the mucosa;
• water exchange;
• mechanical drying due to constantly open mouth and air entry;
• the effect of toxic agents, other indicators that the doctor identifies when examining the patient.

Possible diseases with dry mouth often include:

• prolonged exposure to high temperature;
• taking various medications for a long time, or those that are not suitable for the body (you should consult a doctor);
• dehydrated body due to intoxication;
• dental problems;
• infectious, viral, acute purulent diseases;
• diseases of the nervous, cardiovascular systems, brain with disruption of the normal secretion of saliva;
• diseases of the digestive system (ulcers, gastritis and others);
• excessive smoking;
• pathologies in the abdominal area such as appendicitis, ulcers and others.

Common causes of dry mouth include diabetes mellitus, which appears in people in young and middle age without other prerequisites for its occurrence. In the case where the disease is absent, it is necessary to diagnose the manifestation of other diseases.

Why does your mouth dry out at night - causes and symptoms of dryness in the morning

Breathing through your mouth during sleep is one of the causes of dry mouth.

Waking up in the morning, everyone can find a dry mouth. The causes are often manifestations of external influences on the body. Often, dryness after sleep can disappear and is the result of dryness due to mechanical action, inhaling air with an open mouth during sleep. Especially often, morning dry mouth is associated with drinking alcohol the night before or at night.

But when drying out appears only at night, then this phenomenon requires careful consideration of the issue.

The causes of dryness may indicate the presence of more serious diseases associated with the respiratory system, nervous, cardiovascular systems, infections, blood anemia and others. It is not excluded, of course, that the mucous membrane may dry out in the air or eat too much food at night.. Why your mouth gets dry at night and the causes of the disease can only be determined by a specialist. Frequent dryness at night indicates chronic diseases of the internal organs of a person. The secretion of saliva during night sleep decreases, and if there are disturbances in the innervation of the salivary gland, the disturbance is more pronounced.

Xerotomia, in particular, is characterized by such symptoms as:

• unpleasant dryness in the throat;
• discomfort during a conversation, the appearance of unpleasant sounds when the tongue touches the palate, words are pronounced poorly and awkwardly;
• the presence of cracks on the lips, in the mouth;
• itching in the tongue area;
• the voice is rough and hoarse;
• taste becomes dull when eating;
• constant presence of thirst and desire to drink;
• the appearance of an unpleasant odor and metallic taste.

Other symptoms of dry mouth

A disorder of the biliary system may cause dry mouth.

When examined at a doctor's appointment, the reasons why the tongue dries in the mouth are determined, with accompanying signs of the general condition of the body. This helps determine the occurrence of a particular disease.

The main ones include:

• presence of weakness;
• nausea;
• coating on the tongue;
• bitter taste;
• dizziness;
• frequent urination.

In addition to dryness, weakness appears in the body, and then we can talk about a serious origin. In this case, the patient is sent for a comprehensive examination.

The constant progression of the phenomenon will make it possible to identify dangerous diseases at their initial stages of development and will help in surgical treatment. Thus, viral and infectious diseases, leukemia and others manifest themselves. Oncology patients after undergoing chemotherapy feel weak and dry at the same time.

The appearance of bitterness and dryness in the oral cavity indicates a disrupted bile secretion system and impaired gastric secretion. In this situation, bile or acidic foods may be retained. The resulting bitterness is deposited in the mucous membrane, as decay products are absorbed into the blood, reflecting the quality and quantity of saliva secreted. The causes are diseases such as chronic pancreatic disease, hepatitis and cholecystitis of various forms, gastric ulcers that affect the disruption of bile outflow.

If the tongue is painted white with a coating, then this may be an indicator of impaired functioning of the digestive system. Pain in the abdominal area in combination with plaque and dryness in the oral cavity may indicate manifestations of appendicitis with complications, stone cholecystitis, gastric ulcers of various forms, and intestinal obstruction. Treatment in such cases should be carried out promptly, since it is impossible to improve the condition without the intervention of specialists.

When dizziness occurs with dryness, then most likely the problem arose due to impaired blood supply to the brain, and indicates the presence of diseases in this organ. Also, normal salivation is disrupted, the amount of circulating blood and, accordingly, blood supply to the brain are reduced. This disorder is characteristic of primary brain damage. But also the presence of a combination of dry mouth and dizziness does not exclude the manifestation of menopause in women, and is accompanied by headaches and swelling.

Intestinal infections and food poisoning can cause dry mouth

Nausea and dry mouth may occur rarely. First of all, this indicates an intestinal infection and food poisoning. The appearance of these signs may occur long before vomiting and diarrhea. Also, nausea and dryness appear due to overeating and improper dieting. With nausea and dryness, the doctor should pay attention to other signs, such as stool disorders, abdominal pain, and more. Dryness and nausea mainly indicate problems with the digestive system.

The presence of diabetes mellitus and kidney disease is noted by frequent urination with dryness. The inflammatory process has a connection with the water balance in the body. Frequent urination is characterized by an increase in the amount of sugar in the blood with a subsequent increase in blood pressure.

As a result, an increase in blood fluid creates thirst and dries out the mucous membrane. The kidneys begin to work harder, frequently removing excess fluid from the body.

Pregnant women suffer from temporary complaints about the instability of internal organs. In some pregnant women, dryness may be present periodically and is not particularly dangerous and does not have a long, progressive course.

If prolonged, dryness may indicate insufficient fluid intake, poor nutrition, or the presence of chronic pathologies in the pregnant woman’s body. When toxicosis occurs late in life with dryness in the oral cavity, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor. This can threaten the life of not only the child, but also the expectant mother.

Dry mouth is common during pregnancy, but is not particularly dangerous.

Insufficient moisture in the mouth before bed can be caused by eating sour, salty, bitter, or sweet foods, as well as marinades and pickles. To do this, you should drink more liquid and preferably plain, purified water. Also, dry mouth can be caused by problems associated with dental diseases such as periodontitis, stomatitis, caries and a number of others.

In conclusion, we note that dry mouth occurs for many reasons. In such cases, you should not self-medicate and make your own diagnoses of diseases.

If it is temporary, you should drink plenty of fluids, rinse your mouth more often, and brush your teeth regularly. If you have a long-term dry mouth, it is advisable to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, smoking, salty, spicy foods. Before eating, drink mineral water, lubricate your lips with hygiene products and balms. If they have been present for a long time, you need to contact a specialist.